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Duomo Santa Maria Assunta

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travel2000
travel2000
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4 out of 5
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Editor Pick

Duomo Santa Maria Assunta

  • August 22, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Tolik from Tampa, Florida
Duomo Santa Maria Assunta

The Duomo Santa Maria Assunta (cathedral) for me was actually much more interesting that the Leaning Tower. In Roman times the Palatium of Emperor Hadrian stood here and subsequently a place of worship dedicated to Santa Reparata was built on top. In 1063, after the victory of the Pisan fleet in Palermo, Buscheto di Giovanni Giudice was entrusted with the task of building the cathedral. The construction begun next year. The beautiful church built in Romanesque style covered with alternating bands of green and white marble. It is spectacular from the outside and beautiful inside! The main four-tiered façade will take your breath away. Entry is through the huge bronze doors of the Portale di San Ranieri, close to the Leaning Tower. The famous bronze doors are the work of Bonanno Pisano (1180). The huge interior is lined with the beautiful columns. My favorite object of art here is the beautiful mosaic of Christ Pantocrator (Christ in Majesty) completed by Cimbaue in 1302. Jesus on this marvelous image is Almighty and All-Forgiving in the same time. The 14th century carved pulpit by Giovanni Pisano is amazing. This pulpit was packed away after a 1595 fire and was rediscovered recently, in 1926. We walked around it for half an hour exploring magnificent details. The looks so differently from the pulpits in most other catholic churches, maybe simply because of the many detailed sculptures, including Hercules with a lion. Can you imagine – pagan Hercules in a Christian church? Watch out also for the giant paintings in the Duomo Santa Maria Assunta. Notice the balcony above - women were not allowed to enter the Cathedral at those times, only the balcony. Remember that the security men are very strict with dress code in the cathedral. People are not allowed to enter with the elbows uncover and tiny shorts or skirts.

From journal Leaning Tower & Co

Editor Pick

The cathedral

  • June 28, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by millsy99 from Knoxville, Tennessee
The cathedral

The cathedral is a really huge, Romanesque building with some elements typical of Italian churches. The outside doors have panels depicting the life of Christ. Inside, the church is full of great art, including an elaborate altar. Be sure and check out the ceiling, too--it's gorgeous!

From journal PISA

Editor Pick

Duomo

The famous black and white facade of the duomo is the archetype of the Pisan-Romanesque period.

Do spend the few dollars to go into the interior of this church. You can get into this church for free if you can convince the guards that your only motive is to worship...
I was not too convincing.

The church was begun in 1063 by Boschetto (who had himself entombed in a wall of the cathedral after his death). You enter through huge bronze doors into a five-aisled nave. Although most of the interior was destroyed by fire in 1595,paintings by Ghirlandaio, and Cimabue's mosaic Christ Pantocrator,and bits of the Cosmati remain to be seen and deeply appreciated.The cathedral's elaborate chandelier, according to tradition, inspired Galileo in his gravity theories(not true from recent research). You must approach Pisano's great pulpit which sits majestically at the heart of the cathedral. Relief panels depict classical and Bibical subjects...there are scenes of the Nativity, the Last Judgement and the Massacre of the Innocents.

From journal Pisa-More than a Leaning Tower

Duomo

  • November 24, 2000
  • Rated 2 of 5 by kylebarber from Seattle, Washington
Duomo

The Duomo of Pisa is not nearly as large as Il Duomo of Firenze, nor does it have the same reputation as a "can't miss" Italian church. Yet this Duomo's interior has many more sights to behold.

The faded black and white striped exterior leads into a dark, cavernous church. The unusual pulpit, designed by Pisano in 1310, features colorful reliefs and sort of resembles like a gazebo. Emperor henry VIII has an elaborate tomb off to the side that is also worth checking out.

From journal Italy: Pisa

Editor Pick

Duomo

  • November 2, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by travel2000 from New York, New York
This is definitely a DON'T MISS. I was told how beautiful this Duomo was, even compared to the one in Siena. I completely agree. There is the horizontal black and white motif, much like Moorish architecture. Look at the carvings on the doors and the carved pulpit. My friends interpreted most of the scenes for me, biblical scenes. There is so much to see inside, prepare to spend at least half an hour there. Tickets are purchased at the side, behind the tower in a little office.

From journal The Leaning Pisa

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