Pisa Attractions the Field of Miracles

The Piazza del Duomo, better known as the Campo dei Miracoli, translated from Italian that is the Field of Miracles, is Pisa's tourist centre and with good reason. It is home to one of Italy's largest cathedrals; the legendary Leaning Tower; the country's biggest baptistery; and the transcendental Camposanto, regarded as the most beautiful cemetery in the world. Even if you're not planning on exploring any of the resident attractions (how can you resist though?) the Square is still a wonderful public place in which to stroll, admire the architecture, or enjoy a picnic on the lush green lawns. Have a good look at each "miracle" from the outside and you'll see that the Tower isn't the only leaning structure in the square: both the Baptistery and the Duomo also tilt. This is due to Pisa's trademark shifting subsoil, the bane of its architects since the city's founding.

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Field of Miracles in Pisa

The Piazza has been a part of the Pisan scenery since the 11th century, but it has never been the city's nucleus. It was originally placed in the outskirts, enclosed by the oldest of the settlement's medieval walls: built in 1155 and still in perfect condition. The walls, along with the elaborate Porta Nuova and Porta del Leone gates, often go unnoticed amongst their more august company, but are all worthy of special attention in their own right. The same can be said of the Jewish Cemetery behind the Leone Gate; built in 1674, it is one of the oldest in the world. Also worth perusing are the Piazza's two museums: Museo delle Sinopie and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. The "sinopie" of the former refers to the frescoes in the Camposanto, and, more specifically, to their archetypal sketches, which were discovered during the cemetery's extensive post-WWII salvage operation. Each sinopie is accompanied by a 19th-century reproduction by Carlo Lasinio; these engravings serve as a visual aid to the frescoes' glory prior to their destruction by incendiary bombs.

Restoration has long been underway on the Composanto itself, however, and many of its colourful wall paintings have been revived. Of particular note is the Drunkenness of Noah by Renaissance man Benozzo Gozzoli; Piero di Puccio's much-lauded Stories of the Genesi; and the portentously sobering The Triumph of Death, which represents the mindset of a continent ravaged by the Bubonic Plague. The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo is actually located on the Piazza Arcivescovado, east of the Baptistery, but is still tied into the Campo de Miracoli's somewhat confusing pricing structure. It's the keeper of sculptures, paintings, embroideries, tombs, and a whole host of other objects once housed in the Campo's ecclesiastical buildings. The most impressive piece is an 11th-century bronze griffin, looted during the Crusades, which long adorned the Duomo's cupola before being replaced by a copy.

If you're staying in Pisa it's good plan is to visit the Piazza and its attractions during the day. As one of the busiest Pisa attractions you should also be prepared for the many many other visitors that will be here. Coming back on an evening to enjoy a quieter atmosphere and see the buildings in a different light, aglow in spectacular purple illuminations, can be a very refreshing experience.