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Pisa is one of the most famous cities in Italy, yet many people don’t get beyond the story of its iconic and much-photographed ‘Leaning Tower’. While it has become world renowned for that particular piece of precarious architecture, there’s so much more to this beautiful city than just that. For many years it was a major power in Italy’s history, and its heritage as a centre for education endures and drives the modern-day local economy, along with tourism. The centre of the city is compact and very accessible, so it’s easily explored on a day trip from Florence. A word of advice, however: while you definitely shouldn’t miss the highlights mentioned below, one of the most wonderful ways to really get a feel for the heart and history is to take a wander around the lesser-visited parts of the city and simply allow yourself to get delightfully lost. That said, here are a few of the things you should see first when you arrive on a day trip from Florence. The Leaning Tower There’s no way you can miss this quirky landmark – just follow the crowds to the Piazza dei Miracoli. It’s quite fascinating to think that a terrible error in judgement has led to such prosperity for the city! Soon after its construction began, in 1173, the tower began to sink, and it was not until a century later that work resumed and the bell-chamber was added. It became a tourist draw card; so much so that it needed to close for a decade while repairs were carried out, under fears it would collapse. Today you can once again climb to the top and conquer the vertigo of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Baptistery Also located in the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, this magnificent cathedral is a stunning example of Romanesque architecture, defined as the ‘Pisan style’. Constructed of gleaming white marble, work was begun in 1063. Highlights to look out for are the superb bronze doors of Porta di San Ranieri, a thirteenth-century mosaic of Christ in the apse and the spectacular pulpit, by Giovanni Pisano. Just next to the cathedral is the freestanding Baptistery, which took more than two centuries to complete. A mixture of Gothic and Romanesque architecture, the marble pulpit, by Nicola Pisano, is considered one of the finest examples of Romanesque sculpture. The Botanic Gardens For a completely different ambience, away from the hustle and bustle of the Piazza dei Miracoli, a visit to the Orto Botanico will revive your body and soul. Originally founded in the 1500s as university botanical gardens, its collections include herb gardens, water gardens, greenhouses, the old botany school and an arboretum of rare and exotic trees. Although there’s not a piece of Renaissance art to be seen, the gardens depict a very different side of Pisa, and one that shouldn’t be ignored. Visit Pisa on a Day Trip From Florence At just over an hour and a quarter away, Pisa is ideal to explore on a day trip from Florence. Whether you have a few hours or the entire day to spend in this lovely city on the banks of the River Arno, there’s a wealth of art, history, architecture and culture to keep you occupied. Author Plate Mauro Bramante is the Director of WalkAbout Florence, an independent business offering unforgettable tours and excursions around Italy including great itineraries for a day trip from Florence. Whether you want to ride a Vintage Vespa, try the famous Chianti wine or get cooking with fresh local ingredients, Mauro's company promises excitement, adventure and above all, fun. If you're keen to experience the magic of Italy with the help of some passionate and knowledgeable tour guides, look no further than WalkAbout Florence for your next getaway.
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