Once a great maritime power and the rival of Venice and Genoa, Pisa is best known today for the famed Leaning Tower. This tour begins at the Piazza del Duomo, which is a revered World Heritage site containing four masterpieces of medieval architecture-a cathedral, baptistery, campanile (the Leaning Tower) and cemetery. Your first stop is the Duomo, the five-naved basilica within the Field of Miracles. Begun in 1064, the vast interior contains granite columns, mosaics, and a magnificent pulpit carved by Giovanni Pisano. The Romanesque Baptistery, the largest in Italy, has an immense interior that produces peculiar acoustics. Another highlight is the magnificent Romanesque campanile, which took nearly 200 years to construct, but began to tilt as soon as the third level was completed because the settling sub-soil was unable to withstand the tower's weight. At the northern end of the complex lies the walled cemetery, which while damaged during World War II, but has been largely restored to its original magnificence. After this portion of the tour, you will have free time to wander through the historic heart of Pisa for shopping and other diversions.
Please note: Dress conservatively to enter churches and monasteries. This tour cannot be operated on Sunday mornings since the cathedral cannot be visited due to services. During Bank Holidays shops will be closed. Ascending to the Leaning Tower is not included in the tour as timing restrictions make this difficult to incorporate. This tour involves a modest amount of walking, and certain locations involve steps and a very challenging ascent at the Duomo, however, this tour is wheelchair-accessible. There is approximately 15 minutes walking involved from the parking aria to "Miracle Square" and back.