Camposanto Monumentale – between religion, art, and legend

History and description

Built starting in the late 13th century by Giovanni di Simone but completed only around the mid-15th century, the Camposanto—whose soil, according to tradition, was brought from Mount Calvary during the Third Crusade—served as the burial place for noble families and city dignitaries. Damaged during World War II, it later underwent restoration, during which frescoes and sinopie were recovered and are now displayed in a museum. Rectangular in plan, the structure features a marble façade and a Gothic tabernacle, and is divided into four corridors once decorated with three-dimensional frescoes, of which some fragments are still preserved today.

Curiosities

According to tradition, the soil of the central courtyard, brought from Mount Calvary, was believed to have miraculous powers capable of decomposing bodies in just one day.

Access

Open daily with visiting hours from morning to evening, the Camposanto can be visited at the cost of €5, with free entry and specific reductions available.

How to reach it

Located in Piazza Duomo, the Camposanto can be reached from Pisa’s central station or on foot from the historic center.

A burial site for illustrious men and important figures, the Camposanto Monumentale of Pisa is a place where religion, art, and legend come together—an unmissable stop for anyone wishing to explore every corner of the city.

Cover photo credits: Bernd Thaller