Introduction Unlike the other major art centres of Tuscany, Pisa is practically devoid of great Renaissance monuments for, in fact she made her fortune and accumulated her art treasures mainly during the Middle Ages. Actually, the peak of Pisa's economic and political power was reached in the 12th-13th centuries when Pisa ships ruled the Tyrrhenian Sea. It was only during this time that the city, whose prosperity came from lucrative trade with the Orient could afford to commission the masterpieces of painting, sculpture, and architecture with which to embellish herself. Foremost among these, is, of course, the Campo dei Miracoli, which after almost a millennium has come down to us practically intact except for its celebrated Campanile, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which every year that passes, is just a bit more leaning. Campo dei Miracoli But you mustn't make the all too common mistake of thinking that once you've seen the Campo dei Miracoli, you've seen Pisa. First Itinerary • Campo dei Miracoli • Cathedral • Leaning Tower • Baptistry • Museo dell'Opera del Duomo • Camposanto • Museo delle Sinopie The Campo dei Miracoli Pisa's Cathedral Square, known as the Campo dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) is a veritable miracle of architectural achievement. Four buildings the Cathedral, Leaning Tower, Baptistry, and Camposanto, beautifully shown off their lawn setting, form one of the outstanding architectural complexes in all of Italy. Their striking stylistic harmony is even more amazing if one considers that it took three hundred years to build them, naturally under the supervision of different architects. Over the centuries few major changes have been wrought, and today we can enjoy the Campo dei Miracoli in all its original splendor. The Cathedral Work on the Cathedral was begun in 1064 under the direction of Buscheto (or Buschetto),
Introduction Unlike the other major art centres of Tuscany, Pisa is practically devoid of great Renaissance monuments for, in fact she made her fortune and accumulated her art treasures mainly during the Middle Ages. Actually, the peak of Pisa’s economic and political power was reached in the 12th-13th centuries when Pisa ships ruled the Tyrrhenian
