Pisa is a popular central city in the Tuscany region. But what exactly is Pisa known for and why do people keep visiting the city?
Pisa is known for quite a lot, but the most popular is the famous and iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. Over five million people every year visit Pisa, with a majority of these visitors stopping by to see the Leaning Tower.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Without a doubt, the Leaning Tower is simply the most famous attraction to see in Pisa. People all around the world will come to Pisa to grab a photo in front of the tower. In fact, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most photographed places in the world!
The white marble tower took almost 200 years to build and finally opened in 1372. Within the first five years of construction, the tower already started to lean due to poor planning and unstable subsoil. The lean of the tower was the worst in 1990 at 5.5 degrees, but since then the tilt has slightly improved.
The tower has seven bells, with each one having a different tone, but they haven’t rung since 1990! The bells stopped ringing as there were worries the tower could collapse, causing danger to the public. When the tower is restored, the bells will ring again but who knows when that’ll be!
Aside from looking at the tower on the outside, you can book tickets and climb to the top! We recommend pre-booking tickets.
Aside from the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the city is known for many other things. Read on to find out more about what Pisa is known for.
Food
Pisa is relatively close to the sea, with most of the popular dishes having a seafood base. Some of the best meals to try include spaghetti con le arselle, the Pisan-style stuffed mussels, and grilled salt cod! For some pastry treats, try the Pisan cake, torta coi bischeri. This cake has chocolate, raisins, and pine nuts.
Cattedrale di Pisa
The Pisa Cathedral is one of the oldest structures in the city! The cathedral is a medieval Roman Catholic cathedral which opened in 1118. This cathedral is also dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
You can see the cathedral in the Piazza dei Miracoli, where the Leaning Tower is.
See the incredible Leaning Tower of Pisa along with Pisa’s other highlights on a guided tour! The tour also has an upgrade option for you to be able to climb to the top of the tower!