Leaning Tower of Pisa Activities

Sabah Karimi, Leaf Group

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a freestanding bell tower located on the grounds of an historic cathedral. It is the third oldest landmark in the Pisa Cathedral Square in Italy and one of the most well-known landmarks in Italy. The foundations of the Tower were laid in 1173, but the unstable subsoil that the tower was built on caused the structure to lean slightly. Today, visitors can take a tour of this historic bell tower, climb the staircase inside and explore several attractions around the Pisa Cathedral Square.

Climb to the Top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Visitors can take a self-guided tour up the tower to see the cathedral bells up close and enjoy the panoramic views of the Italian countryside. Climb the marble-stone stairs to see the old stone walls, carved archways and the Assunta and Pasquareccia bells housed at the top of the tower.

Visit the Baptistery of San Giovanni

The Baptistery of San Giovanni was finished in the 14th century and houses an hexagonal pulpit built by Nicola Pisano. The Baptistery is a religious building in one of the oldest landmarks in the city and is famous for its three sets of bronze sculptures. Firenze.Arounder.com states that artist Michelangelo deemed these doors the "Gates of Paradise." The Baptistery of San Giovanni is the largest baptistery in Italy.

Explore the Camposanto

The Camposanto translates to "Holy Field" in English because it serves as a monumental cemetery of Pisa. Construction of the cemetery began in 1278, and the walls were decorated with frescoes during the 14th and 15th centuries. However, many of the frescoes were destroyed after the bombing of World War II. The grounds have since been restored, and much of the remaining artwork was moved to the Museo delle Sinopie. Today visitors can explore the cemetery grounds to see the historic cloisters, effigy reliefs and memorial plaques.

Visit the Duomo de Pisa (Pisa Cathedral)

The Duomo is an historic cathedral located in the Pisa Cathedral Square and is home to dozens of works of art, sculptures and the pulpit sculpted by Giovanni Pisano. The cathedral was built in Romanesque style in 1093 and houses the works of many Renaissance artists who provided artwork for reconstructing the cathedral after a fire in 1595. You can take a self-guided tour of the grounds to see Galileo's chandelier hanging inside the center of the cathedral's nave.

Explore the Museo delle Sinopie

The Museo delle Sinopie is located on the south side of the Pisa Cathedral Square and opened in 1979. The museum houses reproductions of many of the frescoes that were damaged during the World War II bombings, as well as preliminary sketches of artwork that were once located on the grounds of the Camposanto. The venue is open seven days a week.