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Travel bucket list idea:

Field of Miracles

Pisa, Tuscany, Italy

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Bucket List Experience
Cathedral and leaning tower at Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, Italy.
Last updated: 24 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Nicky Swallow

Pisa’s so-called ‘Field of Miracles’ (Campo dei Miracoli) is an elegant complex of monumental, unique buildings set on a wide green lawn just inside the northern city walls. It encompasses the iconic Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Campo Santo.

First constructed was the huge Romanesque Cathedral, begun in 1063, with an intricately-tiered marble façade. Then came the Baptistery (1152), the biggest of its kind in Italy; it has a magnificent pulpit by Nicola Pisano. Building started on the emblematic Leaning Tower (a bell tower) in 1173, and it almost immediately began to lean.

Finally came the Camposanto (‘Holy Field’) cemetery, a roofless rectangle of gleaming white marble begun in 1277. It was once adorned with fabulous frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli, but Allied bombing in 1944 caused the roof to collapse all but destroying them; today just fragments remain.

This is one of the most visited sites in Tuscany, although most people have their sights set on the Leaning Tower.

Don’t miss

In the Cathedral, don’t miss Giovanni Pisano’s great marble pulpit dating from 1300 and full of extraordinary detail in the masterful carving. There is another magnificent marble pulpit in the Baptistery, carved by Nicola Pisano (Giovanni’s son) in 1260.

While you’re there

The nearby Sinopie museum is also worth a visit; it showcases preliminary sketches (sinopie) from beneath the frescoes in the Camposanto.

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The site is a 30-minute walk from Pisa Centrale train station. It is much closer to San Rossore station where some local trains stop. Bus 4 runs from the train station.

There are ticket offices at the entrance to the Piazza dei Miracoli. Tickets can also be purchased online up to 20 days in advance. There are various packages starting with an accumulative ticket that includes entrance to all the monuments with the Leaning Tower (for which a specific visit time must be booked) plus the Cathedral Works Museum and the Sinopie Museum. Audio guides are available in five languages (fee).

Wear ‘appropriate’ clothing for visits to the three Holy sites (no bare shoulders or very short shorts, men must wear tops). There is quite a lot of walking outside between buildings and there is no shade.

When to do it

The monuments are open all year round, seven days a week. Predictably, the summer months – June to August – are phenomenally busy and best avoided if possible. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit.

Expect long queues for the Tower, especially in high season; to avoid this, book in advance online.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Cycling Pisa highlights & hidden treasures - half day tour

Pisa

Cycling Pisa highlights & hidden treasures - half day tour
This is the perfect tour for first time visitors who have a short time (half day) and wish to explore Pisa around and beyond the Leaning Tower: a bike tour will easily let you covering different spots and at your own pace! Your personal Licensed Tour Guide, Martina, will introduce you to the history, legends and traditions of Pisa. Besides she will give you the opportunity of experiencing the everyday life of a vibrant University city: Martina has lived in Pisa for more than 15 years, first as a student at the University (Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degree) then as a resident: she knows every corners of its historic centre, besides master artisans and the best places to have a taste of the local cousine. Last but not least your tour guide happily shares fascinating details on the world famous Leaning Tower and the other unique buildings that outstand in the 'field of miracles'! Meet Martina, hire a bike at her recommended shop and enjoy your time in Pisa!

Price: €160

Min age: 3

Rating 5 / 5 [22 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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