Pisa Baptistery
Pisa, Italy
Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa
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Photo: MHoser, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Square always open; monuments by day
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Square
- Free, 24 hours
- Monuments
- Tower, cathedral, baptistery, museums — ticketed
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Combo
- One ticket for several monuments saves money
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Highlights
- The tower, cathedral, baptistery, lawn photos
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Location
- North-west old Pisa, 25 minutes from the station
Key facts
1987the square joined the UNESCO list
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UNESCO, no. 39511th–14th c.the ensemble was built
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English WikipediaD'Annunziocalled it the 'meadow of miracles'
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English Wikipedia3 main buildingscathedral, baptistery and bell tower
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English WikipediaOpera Museumholds the square's original sculpture
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English WikipediaAbout the Field of Miracles
Its official name is Piazza del Duomo, Cathedral Square. But since the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio called it a 'meadow of miracles', it has been known as Piazza dei Miracoli. It's a broad green lawn by the north-western city wall, where Pisa's great buildings rose between the 11th and 14th centuries.
The cathedral stands in the middle, the round baptistery in front of it to the west, and the bell tower, the famous Leaning Tower, behind it to the east. All are clad in white marble with fine grey stripes in the same Pisan Romanesque style, so the ensemble looks remarkably unified. In 1987 the square was added to the UNESCO list.
How to see the square
A good order: first the timed climb of the Leaning Tower, then the cathedral, whose entry usually comes with the tower ticket, and finally the baptistery, where a custodian sings every half hour to show off the echo. The monuments are just a few minutes apart across the lawn.
That takes two to three hours. With more time, visit the Opera del Duomo Museum with the original statues and cathedral treasures; its courtyard has a lovely tower view. Sitting or lying on the grass usually isn't allowed, but you're free to walk the paths around it.
What to see on the Field of Miracles
- The Leaning Tower — the tilting bell tower, ticketed climb.
- The cathedral — Pisano's pulpit and bronze doors.
- The baptistery — Italy's largest, with its echo.
- Opera del Duomo Museum — the original sculpture.
- The city wall — the medieval wall along the square.
- The 'holding up' photo — on the lawn by the cathedral.
Best views and photos
The classic 'holding up the tower' shot is taken on the path between the cathedral and the lawn: line your hand up with the tower's edge and have a friend shoot from a few paces away. Dozens of people do the same around you, an entertaining sight in itself.
For the best overall views, stand west of the baptistery, where all three buildings line up, or look from the baptistery's upper gallery. Morning and sunset light is soft and the marble turns warm and rosy. In the evening the square is lit and almost empty, the best time for a quiet stroll.
How to get to the Field of Miracles
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Pisa Baptistery is about 1 min away on foot.
- Pisa Cathedral is about 1 min away on foot.
- Leaning Tower of Pisa is about 4 min away on foot.
More tips
- From Pisa Centrale station, 25 minutes on foot through the centre and over the Arno, or 10 by the LAM Rossa bus.
- From Florence, the train takes about an hour to Pisa Centrale; some stop at Pisa San Rossore, 10 minutes from the square.
- From Pisa Airport, the PisaMover shuttle reaches the station in 5 minutes.
- The main entrance is through the Porta Santa Maria gate.
Tips for your visit
Pisa is a popular day trip from Florence, so the square is packed with groups from 10am to 4pm. Come earlier or stay into the evening. In summer the marble and lawn are hot with little shade, so bring water and a hat.
Souvenir stalls and cafés ring the square at tourist prices; eat in the centre instead, around Piazza dei Cavalieri or along the Arno, 10 to 15 minutes' walk away. It's easy with children: room to run, and the tower climb is allowed from age 8.
Before you go
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Places in Pisa: compare and choose
Places in Pisa rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Leaning Tower of Pisa | 67 | 1 h | Climb paid | 3 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pisa Cathedral | 47 | 40 min | Timed ticket | 3 min walk |
| Piazza dei Miracoliyou are here | 42 | 2 h | Free | — |
| Pisa Baptistery | 40 | 30 min | Paid | 3 min walk |
The Field of Miracles in half a day
The Leaning Tower, the cathedral and the baptistery.
- Leaning Tower of Pisa1 h · Climb paid
- 3 min walk from the previous stopPisa Cathedral40 min · Timed ticket
- 3 min walk from the previous stopPisa Baptistery30 min · Paid
3 places · about 2 h 16 min with walks · 6 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- The square is free.
- Book the tower first.
- Quieter mornings and evenings.
- Eat in the centre, not by the square.
Questions
What is there to see on Piazza dei Miracoli?
The Leaning Tower, the cathedral, the baptistery and the Opera del Duomo Museum.
Is Piazza dei Miracoli free?
Yes, the square is free and always open; the monuments are ticketed.
How long do you need at Piazza dei Miracoli?
2 to 3 hours for the tower, cathedral and baptistery.
How do I get to Piazza dei Miracoli from the station?
25 minutes on foot or 10 by the LAM Rossa bus.
Why is it called the Field of Miracles?
The poet Gabriele D'Annunzio named it so; officially it's Piazza del Duomo.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO: Piazza del Duomo, Pisa (no. 395)
- English Wikipedia: Piazza dei Miracoli
- Official site, opapisa.it