See top art by Caravaggio (Crucifixion of St Peter, Conversion of St Paul), Bernini, and Raphael for free in the Santa Maria del Popolo church in Rome. The church of Santa Maria del Popolo is one of the top free churches to visit in Rome to see exceptional art. The main attractions for most are the paintings Crucifixion of St Peter and Conversion of St Paul by Caravaggio … [Read more...]
Top Sights to See on the Field of Miracles in Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the top sight to see on the Field of Miracles that also include the cathedral (duomo), baptistery, Camposanto cemetery, and museums. The top sights to see in Pisa are all grouped together on what is often simply called the Field of Miracles (Campo Dei Miracoli, or often also Piazza del Duomo). The Leaning Tower of Pisa is by far the most famous … [Read more...]
Visit the Romanesque Duomo (Cathedral) in Pisa
Visit the Duomo in Pisa -- a romanesque masterpiece of white marble with black detailing and a cathedral filled with art. Admission is free but requires a time-slot reservation ticket. Pisa Cathedral (Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale di Santa Maria Assunta or more commonly simply Duomo di Pisa) is best known for its campanile — the famous leaning tower of Pisa. … [Read more...]
Visit the Baptistery in Pisa (Battistero di Pisa)
The Battistero di Pisa is the largest baptistery in Italy and like the famous leaning tower leans at a slight angle. The white marble Baptistery is in many ways the most beautiful building on Pisa’s field of miracles. It combines a round Romanesque base with Gothic upper floors with dainty details. The white of the marble is often offset beautifully by the green … [Read more...]
Visit the Cathedral Museum of Pisa (Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo)
The Cathedral Museum of Pisa (Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo) displays original artwork from the famous cathedral, baptistery and leaning tower of Pisa. Many of the original sculptures of the Duomo, baptistry and Camposanto Cemetery in Pisa are now preserved in the relatively small Cathedral Museum of Pisa (Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo). In addition to numerous original Gothic … [Read more...]
See Renaissance Frescoes at the Camposanto Cemetery in Pisa
The gothic arcades of the Camposanto Cemetery in Pisa are decorated with some of the finest Renaissance frescoes in Italy. Despite having a large collection of sarcophagi, the Camposanto Cemetery next to the marble Cathedral of Pisa is mostly not visited for graves but rather for its collection of Renaissance frescoes. For centuries the Camposanto, rather than the famous … [Read more...]
Visit the Sinopie Museum in Pisa
The Sinopie Museum (Museo delle Sinopie) in Pisa gives a fascinating look at how the frescoes of the Camposanto Cemetery were created. The Sinopie Museum (Museo delle Sinopie) in Pisa displays the original rough sketches used in the designs of the magnificent 14th-century frescoes in the Camposanto Cemetery. As these drawings were plastered over never to be seen again, … [Read more...]
Public Transportation and Tours to the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Getting to the Leaning Tower of Pisa is easy from many other parts of Italy including Florence, Livorno, Siena, and Rome, by public transportation (train or bus) or on day trips. It is also easily seen en route to or from the airport. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the top sights to see in Italy. This iconic campanile is hugely popular with day-trippers and bus … [Read more...]
Visit the Santa Maria Novella Church and Monastery Complex in Florence
Visitors to the Santa Maria Novella church see some of the finest Gothic architecture and cloisters in Florence, as well as top medieval and Renaissance art. The basilica of Santa Maria Novella is one of the major churches in Florence filled with art. The large church and former Dominican monastery complex with several cloisters are mostly Gothic while the campanile still … [Read more...]
See Top Art in the Santa Maria Novella Basilica in Florence
Santa Maria Novella has some of the finest medieval and Renaissance art in Florence, including Masaccio’s Holy Trinity and a Crucifix by Giotto. The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, originally a Dominican monastery church, has always been full of art. Top works include Masaccio’s Holy Trinity — an early application of the rules of perspective — and a huge crucifix by … [Read more...]
Visit San Lorenzo Basilica in Florence for Renaissance Art
The Basilica of San Lorenzo is at the origins of Florentine Renaissance with the tombs of the Medicis and sculptures by Donatello and Michelangelo. Although the church of San Lorenzo has some credible claims to being the oldest church in Florence, the present basilica is the third church here and dates from the Renaissance period. The church has several claims to … [Read more...]
Visit the Medici Chapels in San Lorenzo in Florence
The Medici Chapels with Michelangelo sculptures in the San Lorenzo church complex form the mausoleum for the most powerful and best-known family in Renaissance Florence. The mausoleum of the Medici family in Florence is not surprisingly a grand affair. The huge Chapel of the Princes (Capella Dei Principi) is covered by the second largest cupola in Florence while the walls … [Read more...]