After the victory over the Saracens in 1603 in Palermo, the loot of five ships was destined for the construction of the cathedral, which would be consecrated in 1122, being the maximum expression of Romanesque-Pisan architecture. The façade is decorated with four levels of galleries with small columns.
It is a basilica of five naves with a transept of three naves. Its construction began in 1064 by the architect Buscheto and originated the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture. The mosaics inside show a strong Byzantine influence, while the pointed arches indicate Islamic influence.Interior of the Cathedral.
The church also contains the bones of Saint Rainier , the patron saint of Pisa, and the tomb of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII , sculpted by Tino da Camino in 1315 . That tomb, originally in the apse just behind the main altar, was dismantled and repositioned many times over the years, for political reasons. In the end, the sarcophagus is still in the cathedral, but some of the statues were placed in the Camposanto or in the upper part of the facade of the church. The original statues are currently in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
The city is interesting as the focus of a Romanesque style that spread throughout Tuscany. Both Pisa and nearby Lucca are great cities to experience this variety.
The Pisan style has an air influenced by Lombard and Arabic styles. Its clearest manifestation is in the facades of the churches, endowed with a rhythmic profusion of reliefs, with those magnificent blind arches that give the buildings an air of special lightness.
The semicircular arches sit on graceful columns, in succession both in length and height. In this way, magnificent plays of light are achieved, enhanced by the profusion of marble, sometimes of different shades. With five naves and a Latin cross plan, the temple, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, has an unusual luminosity in the European Romanesque, enhanced by its white marble cladding . This style, which reached its peak around the 13th century , preceded an admirable plethora of sculptors, whose works can not only be seen in Pisa but also magnify the cities of Florence and Siena .
The typical Pisan Romanesque galleries brighten up and give lightness to this magnificent. Both the view from the apse and the facade is of high interest. In the latter, the rhythmic succession of geometries and the excellent bronze doors, designed by Juan de Bolonia, stand out. Other doors of interest are those on the right side of the transept, the work of Bonanno Pisano. The interior is amazing. Anyone used to Spanish or French Romanesque is stunned by the multiplicity of perspectives and the luminosity of an unusual space. The elevated galleries and the abundance of large windows contribute to this air of lightness. Also striking is the Pantocrator in the apse, from the 16th century, and – above all – an absolutely exceptional piece, the pulpit, a masterpiece by Giovanni Pisano , from the beginning of the XIV century , a prodigy of sculptural virtuosity.
leaning Tower
Known as the Tower of Pisa , it is the most famous of the Pisan monuments, it is the bell tower of the Duomo. It is 55 m. high, it is world famous for its inclination of 5º 30 ‘(4.20 m.) and for its decoration of a marked chiaroscuro. To get to the top you have to climb 294 steps. In the bell room, Galileo conducted his experiments on gravity.
Its construction began in 1173 , but it had to be interrupted when it was on the third floor, due to the subsidence of the land on which it is located, until in 1350 the cylindrical tower was completed in such a way that the part that it sank, to avoid falling. In the 16th century the base was consolidated, but in the 19th century it was seen that the problem worsened to such an extent that in 1990 the tower was closed to the public, because it leaned 1.18 millimeters per year.
In 2002 it was reopened to the public after straightening it 39.60 centimeters. The technique used has been the extraction of the earth located under the “campanille”, in the opposite part to that of its inclination, to then drop the building on the hole created. In the 16th century, Galileo Galilei used it to study the laws that govern the fall of bodies.
Other works
The historic center includes buildings and churches from the Renaissance and you can admire a magnificent scenery from the central Plaza dei Cavalieri, where there are prestigious 16th century palaces , such as the Palace of the Knights ( Plaza dei Cavalieri ), today the school’s headquarters. Normal Superior.
Among the monuments to visit is the National Museum of San Mateo , located in the former monastery of the church and which houses a beautiful collection of painting on wood with a gold background, as well as sculptures and other works, as well as the Church of Santa María della Spina , authentic jewel of Pisan Gothic .
The most popular seaside towns are Marina di Pisa , with its characteristic liberty-style villas, and Tirrenia , surrounded by fields. Also worth a visit is the set of the Certosa di Pisa, located near Calci.
Also very characteristic is the small center of San Miniato, located on a hill overlooking the Arno Valley .
Knights Square
Knights Square (Pisa) (Plaza dei Cavalieri)
In what was the old medieval city there is a beautiful square, extensive and student-like, transformed in the time of the Florentine rule of the Medici.
A statue of Cosimo I presides over this space where the Cavalieri palace stands, with the busts of the Dukes of Tuscany on the front. In it, the Pisan knights were once trained and now it is the university headquarters.
The Clock Palace, basically the work of Vasari, from the early seventeenth century, is close to it. This building is the result of the remodeling of the previous houses. In fact, the structure of an old tower can be seen on the facade. In the same square is the church of Santo Estéfano . It was built following a project by Giorgio Vasari in 1565-68. A few years later its cover was covered with marble.
Churches
In the surroundings of the Arno is the curious Church of Santa María della Spina. It is quite rebuilt, as its proximity to the river has caused damage. She is flirty and small. Its facade has a double Romanesque door.
There are more churches of interest. In the first place that of Santa Catalina, near the most monumental area. With a beautiful Pisan Romanesque facade; austere inside and with beautiful medieval tombs. Another church with a beautiful façade is that of San Paolo a ripa di Arno, from the Romanesque period, vividly reminiscent of San Michele in Foro in Lucca.