Just like the Taj Mahal in India, the Colosseum in Rome and the Pyramids in Egypt, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one among the world wonders located in Italy. The Leaning tower gained attention and is listed as a world wonder because it managed to stand tall and strong even though it was built on a weak base.
Leaning tower amidst buildings
It took 344 years to complete and the construction was stopped twice because the soft subsoil could not take the load of the 14,500-ton structure. This tower now leans by 3.99° South.
For FAQs, scroll down to the bottom. I hope it helps.
Blog Contents
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Pisa got its name from the Greek word meaning ‘Marshy land’. Since the soil is not firm, other structures like the Campanile of San Nicola, the Campanile of San Michele Degli Scalzi and the Pisa Baptistery also lean.
The Queen
It was an accident, not design…
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a Romanesque style architectural wonder designed by Bonanno Pisano and is 56.70 meters on the highest side and 55.86 meters on the lowest side. This old structure leans by accident, not by design.
Climbing the tower
The sparkling white marble structure has 8 floors and 300 steps. It takes approximately 30 minutes to climb the inclined spiral stairs.
The spiral staircase
The tower is not tall enough to provide the best view of the city. It is not worth spending 18€ and standing in line to buy the tickets. The surroundings are more beautiful. Just walk around the area and trust me….. it’s very beautiful.
Tickets and timings
The ticket costs €18 for a 30-minute visit. It is better to buy the tickets online rather than standing in the queue for long. Online bookings are available up to 20 days in advance. These tickets will have specific time slots. This is a strict rule and there is no way around.
The tower is open to tourists on all 7 days but there are exceptions to timings. It is typically open between 9.00 am-8.00 pm. Make sure to check the timings on the day of the visit.
Other monuments
Piazza del Duomo
This square which is also known as Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) has important monuments that were constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries. This 9-hectare area was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Cathedral di Pisa and the leaning tower in the squareLush greenery covers the entire square giving it a fresh and fantastic view. Cathedral di Pisa, Pisa Baptistery and the Leaning Tower are located in this square.
Pisa Baptistery
The ”Battistero di San Giovanni” was designed by Diotisalvi and is dedicated to John the Baptist. The white marble building is 55 meters high and has a circumference of 100 meters. This structure is also known for its Echo Magic just like the echo in Königssee and every half an hour an artist comes to illustrate these amazing acoustics.
Pisa Baptistery
Another lesser-known interesting fact is that this Baptistery also tilts 0.6° towards the cathedral because the soil is rich in clay and sand.
Tickets and timings
It is open to tourists daily from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm and timings vary during winter (November-February).
The tickets are 5€ for adults and no reduced prices, but it is possible to buy combination tickets.
Cathedral di Pisa
The architect Buscheto invented a new style the ”Pisan Romanesque style” by combining Eastern architecture, Byzantine features, and Lombard decoration. The construction of the cathedral was between 1063 – 1092.
Cathedral di PisaPost completion, Pisa Cathedral became the largest church in Europe and remained one for almost a century. In 1595 the cathedral experienced several burns in the fire and most of the medieval art was lost. After a complete restoration, it is one of the most beautiful churches in the Tuscanian region.Tickets and timings
It is open to tourists daily from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm and timings vary during winter (November-February).
If you have purchased any ticket, then the entry to the cathedral is free
How to reach Pisa
Italian Railway is as well organized and systematic as in Germany. Pisa is conveniently accessible from different parts of Italy. We travelled from Florence to Pisa by train offered by Trenitalia and these trains are like regional trains in Germany. The travel time is around an hour and it costs 9€. Purchase it at the railway station’s ticket machine. It’s not necessary to buy it before. You do buy on the day of travel.
Florence railway station is extremely busy and crowded. So we boarded the wrong train.
Tip: Expect a huge crowd and it may a while to buy the tickets at the machine. Make sure you reach before time to avoid the last-minute rush.
Pisa also has an airport named Galileo Galilei and it is the 10th busiest airport in Italy. Ryanair, Pobeda, Easyjet, Air Dolomiti are the common low-cost airline that flies to Pisa. Read our blog post on tips and tricks to find cheap flights. The distance between the airport and the leaning tower is just 3kms and there are frequent trains from the airport to Pisa’s main station for the convenience of tourists.
Pisa Railway station to Tower
It is just 20 mins walk from the Railway station to the Tower. It was Christmas season, the city was decorated with Christmas tree, colourful lights, and many other embellishing decorative articles.
Across the river Arno
We walked through a few squares, shopping area and also crossed a bridge across the river Arno before reaching the tower.
One of the Squares in the city centre
On our way back the scene was entirely different. All the shops were open and the city looked lively with street artists performing. souvenirs are available at a reasonable price and we purchased a mug, magnet and postcards
Empty streets
For FAQs, scroll down to the bottom. I hope it helps.
My experience
One word- overhyped. I expected the tower would be tall and look huge. My first impression was ”This is not as tall as it appears in movies or pictures”.
Mandatory picture
It was a little disappointing as my expectations were high. But it is fun to see people pose with the tower and it is hilarious😄. It is not worth to visit Italy exclusively for the Leaning Tower and that is why we cramped with Florence and Rome.
Overall experience: ⭐⭐ out of 5.
FAQs
When is the best time to visit?
It is better to visit Pisa early in the morning.
Is Pisa crowded?Yes, Pisa is extremely touristy and the crowd starts gathering after 10 am.
How much time do you need in Pisa?
One day is enough to explore Pisa because the city has nothing much to offer.
Is there anything else to see other than leaning tower?Yes, Cathedral di Pisa and Pisa Baptistery are the other tourist locations in the Piazza del Duomo.
How much are the entry tickets to the leaning tower?
18€ for adults and there is no concession for students.
Is the Leaning Tower of Pisa overrated?
Leaning tower is a world wonder for a reason and opinions vary from person to person.
Is it walkable to the leaning tower from the Railway station?
Yes, it is 1.7 km and a 20 min walk.
Are there washrooms?
Yes, and it costs 1€.
How far is Florence from Pisa?
It is about 90 km. Trains are available every 30 mins. The total duration is 1 hour. Tickets are available on Trenitalia.
How far is Rome from Pisa?
It is about 350 km. Trains are available every 30 mins. The total duration is 2.5 hours. Tickets are available on Trenitalia.
Time of visit: December 2018
All you’ve got to decide do is decide to go, and he hardest part is over-Tony Wheeler.
“It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop” – Confucius
Florence railway station is extremely busy and crowded. So we boarded the wrong train.
Tip: Expect a huge crowd and it may a while to buy the tickets at the machine. Make sure you reach before time to avoid the last-minute rush.
Pisa also has an airport named Galileo Galilei and it is the 10th busiest airport in Italy. Ryanair, Pobeda, Easyjet, Air Dolomiti are the common low-cost airline that flies to Pisa. Read our blog post on tips and tricks to find cheap flights. The distance between the airport and the leaning tower is just 3kms and there are frequent trains from the airport to Pisa’s main station for the convenience of tourists.
