Caprona Tower

The Caprona Tower, often identified with the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa in popular guidebooks, is a unique bell tower located on the Square of Miracles in the city of Pisa (Italy). This structure, made of white Carrara marble, is part of a magnificent architectural ensemble that also includes the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Baptistery. The tower is world-famous for its unintentional tilt, which makes it one of the most recognizable symbols of the country.

The height of the tower reaches 56.7 meters at its highest point, and its mass is about 14,500 tons. The structure consists of a hollow cylinder surrounded by elegant galleries with columns and arches, combining elements of Romanesque, Gothic, Byzantine, and Arabic styles. Inside, there is a spiral staircase of 294 steps leading to seven bells at the top. The famous tilt, measuring about 4.8 meters from the vertical, arose due to the characteristics of the soft soil and a shallow foundation, turning an engineering miscalculation into a true architectural wonder.

To plan a visit to the attraction, it is useful to know the official contacts of the organization managing the Square of Miracles complex:

• Official website: opapisa.it (here you can check current information and buy tickets).
• Phone: +39 050 835011.
• Social media: current accounts can be found via the official website.

It is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance, as entry is strictly regulated by time slots.

The main adventure here is climbing the spiral staircase to the top of the bell tower. After overcoming hundreds of steps, you will find yourself on the observation deck, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Square of Miracles and the tiled roofs of Pisa. Here you can also see seven ancient bells, each with its own tone and size. Architecture lovers will appreciate the opportunity to examine the elegant capitals up close, as well as the "banana" shape of the building, which resulted from the ancient architects' attempts to compensate for the tilt.

Down below, a traditional entertainment awaits tourists—creating creative photos with an optical illusion where you supposedly "support" or "push" the falling tower. After the tour, it is worth taking a walk on the green lawns of the square, visiting the majestic cathedral and the baptistery with its unique acoustics, or stopping by the monumental cemetery Camposanto, decorated with frescoes.

Getting to the attraction is quite simple. If you arrived by train, you can walk from the main station, Pisa Centrale, in 20 minutes, enjoying a stroll along Via Francesco Crispi and crossing the Arno River. An alternative option is to use the city bus lines LAM Rossa, Blu, or Verde, which will take you to the site in just 5 minutes.

For those arriving at Galileo Galilei Airport, a transfer by bus or taxi is available, taking about 5–10 minutes. Travelers by car should keep in mind that the historic center is a pedestrian zone, so it is better to leave the car at a park-and-ride lot, for example, Parcheggio Torre Pisa. Trains run regularly to this location from other major Italian cities, such as Florence or Rome.

The history of this structure is full of drama and engineering struggle. Construction began on August 9, 1173, presumably designed by the architect Bonanno Pisano. However, already after the erection of the third tier in 1178, a tilt became noticeable due to weak soil consisting of soft clay and sand. Work was stopped for almost a century.

Construction resumed in 1272 under the leadership of Giovanni di Simone, who tried to straighten the tower by curving the structure in the opposite direction, but by 1284 work halted again. The bell tower was only completed in the second half of the 14th century by master Tommaso Pisano. In the 20th century, the tilt reached critical values, which required a large-scale stabilization operation: engineers strengthened the foundation and installed counterweights, which allowed this World Heritage monument to be preserved for future generations.

For a full acquaintance with the tower and its surroundings, it is recommended to allocate 2–3 hours. The climb, viewing the panorama, and descent itself will take about 30–45 minutes. The remaining time should be devoted to a leisurely walk around the square, taking photos, and visiting neighboring architectural monuments—the cathedral and the baptistery.

The operating hours of the attraction vary depending on the time of year. In the summer season (from June to September), the complex is usually open from 08:00 to 20:00 (sometimes until 22:00), allowing visitors to enjoy views in the rays of the sunset. In the winter period (from November to February), working hours are reduced: from 10:00 to 17:00 or 19:00.

Please note that the last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing. The attraction does not operate on religious holidays, such as Christmas. It is strongly recommended to check the exact schedule before your visit.

If you have time left after viewing the main attraction, you can find other interesting places within a radius of a few kilometers:

• National Museum of the Carthusian Monastery in Calci — 2.00 km
• Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa — 2.10 km
• Centro dei Borghi (shopping center) — 4.60 km
• Pisanova Shopping Center — 6.20 km
• Scotto Garden — 8.10 km
• Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria — 8.40 km
• Chupiteria — 8.50 km