Pisa, located in central Italy in the Tuscany, has so much more to offer than just the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Wandering the streets of this ancient city, I was awestruck by the beautiful Piazza dei Miracoli, the Arno River, numerous museums, chapels, churches, and Piazzas (public squares).
![Pisa Baptistry, Pisa Cathedral, and Leaning Tower of Pisa](https://www.travelfooddrink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Cathedral_Tower_Pisa_Italy-1024x576.jpg)
Piazza dei Miracoli, translated to Square of Miracles, aptly received the name from controversial Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. The 8.87 hectare expanse, owned by the Catholic church and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, contains 4 religious structures; the Cathedral, the Baptistry, the Cemetery (Campo Santo) and the Leaning Tower.
![The Beautiful Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa, Italy](https://www.travelfooddrink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Beautiful_Piazza_dei_Miracoli_Pisa_Italy-1024x576.jpg)
For the curious minds, Pisa is home to many Museums, featuring everything from sculptures and paintings to frescoes, manuscripts and skeletons.
![Pisa Museums, Cathedral Baptistry, Italy](https://www.travelfooddrink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Pisa_Museums_Cathedral_Baptistry_Italy-1024x943.jpg)
The 241 km (150 miles) long Arno River, meandering through central Pisa is the perfect place for a romantic stroll as well as providing fantastic photo opportunities. If you are fortunate enough to be in Pisa during the month of June, the San Ranieri Festival showcases a fast paced Regatta race with an interesting ending as well as the Luminara – a candlelight ceremony followed by fireworks and the exciting Battle of the Bridge. I was not so fortunate, but plan to return!
![Arno River Pisa Italy](https://www.travelfooddrink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Arno_River_Pisa_Italy-1024x576.jpg)
Constructed in 1173 (completion 1399), the Leaning Tower of Pisa Bell Tower stands 56 meters (184 ft) tall. Due to the foundation settling, the tower leans at a little less than 4 degrees. At it’s worst, in 1990, it sat a 5.5 degree angle which caused the area to be closed in order to reinforce the base; it did not reopen until 1991. The tower correction reduced the lean by 44 cm (17”), quite a feat, but more amazingly, by 2008 it had improved another 4 cm (2”) for a total improvement of 48 cm (19”)!
![Man mock holds the Leaning Tower of Pisa](https://www.travelfooddrink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Leaning_Tower_Pisa_Fun_Italy-575x1024.jpg)
The perfect way to enjoy one of the many Piazzas and to recharge energy – grab an espresso and enjoy the views!
Pisa, Italy – Photo Album
Pisa, Italy – YouTube
Discover Tuscany – One Day Pisa Tour
Battle of the Bridge
Luminara
Regatta Race
Foreign Travel Advice – UK Government
Alerts and Warnings – USA Government
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