Italy Guide
Tuscany
The Baptistry
Address: Campo dei Miracoli
Opening time: daily: March 9am–6pm; April– Sept 8am–8pm; Oct 9am–7pm; Nov– Feb 10am–5pm
Price: €5
Pisa's Baptistry the largest such building in Italy, was begun in 1152 by a certain Diotisalvi ("God Save You"), who left his name on a column to the left of the door; it was continued in the thirteenth century by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, and completed late in the fourteenth century. Inside you're immediately struck by the plainness of the vast interior (the acoustics are astonishing, as the guard will demonstrate), but take time to look closely at Nicola Pisano's beautiful pulpit, sculpted in 1260, half a century before his son's work in the cathedral.