Holiday travel tips and experiences: Field of Miracles Pisa

View of the Field of Miracles as you enter via the main gate

Mention the Field of Miracles Pisa and you might be forgiven if you do not know what that is. However, mention the Leaning Tower of Pisa and chances are that you have heard of it and most probably even have an idea of what it looks like. That is how famous the Leaning Tower of Pisa is!

The entrance to the Field of Miracles

Map of the Field of Miracles - La Piazza del Duomo

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

It is true that the main attraction in the Field of Miracles is none other than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This was constructed as the bell tower or Campanile of the Duomo (Pisa Cathedral). Construction on the bell tower began in 1173 and took close to 200 years to complete.

Construction history of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Here are some interesting Leaning Tower of Pisa facts as depicted on the signboards:-

Construction began in August 1173 and continued for 5 years before stopping for reasons unknown
One hundred years later, in 1272, construction resumed for the next 6 years before stopping again
After another almost hundred years, building resumed in 1360 and finally completed in 1370
As of today, most of the original San Giuliano marble had to be gradually replaced with white Carrara marble
Studies and analyses of the interactions between the environmental conditions and the Tower have shown that erosion, stone decay, calcium sulphate deposition and build up of lime encrustations are to be linked to the impact of rainfall and other forms of water particles, as well as the various ways water flows over the surface
Computerization showed that black crusts covered 1,968 m2, decay of stone affected 2,086 m2 and cracks extended for 8,658 m.
Conservation methods were identified and the restoration project scheduled for completion in 2010

In 1998, due to the tilt, nobody was allowed to go up the Leaning Tower of Pisa as it was considered too dangerous until after renovations were done.

The tilt causing the 'leaning tower'

Contrast between before and after restoration

Another contrast of before and after restoration

Beautiful and detailed

Lovely to admire

The leaning tower of Pisa in its relation to the Pisa Cathedral

Helping gravity?

Pisa cathedral

The medieval Pisa Cathedral, a five-naved cathedral, is the heart of the Field of Miracles and was constructed in 1064. With a distinctive Pisan Romanesque style for its exterior, the Pisa Cathedral shows a strong Byzantine influence for its interior in terms of its pointed arches.

The West facade of the Pisa Cathedral

View of the Pisa Cathedral with the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Pisa Baptistry

Construction of the Baptistry of St John, also known as the Pisa Baptistry due to its location near the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, started in 1152 and was completed only in 1363. Constructed in marble, this is the largest baptistry in Italy.

Most tourists coming to spend their holidays in Tuscany would definitely make a visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Duomo (Pisa Cathedral) and the Pisa Baptistry. If you have not visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you have not seen Tuscany, Italy. :) Many though would miss the Campo Santo or monumental cemetery located at the far end of the Cathedral Square.

Campo Santo - monumental cemetery

The Cathedral Square in which the Field of Miracles is located on is next to the oldest medieval city walls built in 1155. In 1987, the whole square was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.