Square of Miracles - Pisa, Italy

The Square of Miracles, Piazza dei Miracoli, is a walled area in the centre of Pisa, Tuscany, Italy. It is officially known as Cathedral Square, Piazza del Duomo in Italian, and is surrounded by the Cathedral (Duomo), the Leaning Tower, the Baptistry and the Camposanto.

At the centre of the Square, is the Duomo, a medieval cathedral, St Mary of the Assumption (Santa Maria Assunta). Construction began in 1064 by the architect, Busketo, and was built in what was to become the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture.

The Baptistry stands opposite the west end of the Cathedral and is dedicated to St John the Baptist. It was begun in 1153 and built in the Romanesque style by the architect, Diotisalvi. The construction was not completed until the 14th century when the Gothic style top storey and dome were added by Nicola Pisano and Giovanni Pisano. It is the largest baptistry in Italy with a circumference of 107.25 metres.

The Campo Santo Monumentale, the monumental cemetary, lies at the northern edge of the Square. The building dates from the 13th century and was built over an earlier burial ground. It is said that that the cemetary was built around sacred soil from Golgotha, which was brought back from the Fourth Crusade by the Archbishop of Pisa in the 12th century. The cemetery was completed in 1464.

In 1987 Cathedral Square was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cathedral Square, Pisa, Tuscany, Italy 

by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of the Cathedral Square in Pisa, Tuscany, Italy, which was taken at the end of the 19th century. The image shows a view of the Square with the Baptistry, Duomo and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the background. Photograph courtesy of LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-06580).

Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the wide range of products featuring this wonderful vintage view of the Square of Miracles in Pisa, Italy.