The cathedral ensemble in the Piazza dei Miracoli is unrivalled in the world. The three buildings of gleaming white marble are located in the centre of the city, on a an emerald green, immaculately manicured meadow. In the centre stands the cathedral Santa Maria Maggiore, renowned for its size; to the west of it is a beautiful baptistery, a beautiful baptistery, and to the left rises the famous bell-tower, which has entered into the history of art under the name of "falling in the history of art under the name of "the falling tower".
The architectural ensemble, consisting of the cathedral, the baptistery and the tower, took almost 300 years to build. It is characterised by a remarkable unity of style, despite the distinctly the distinct individuality of each component. They are united by repeated rows of arched galleries and rounded windows above. The cathedral is rightly the dominant of the ensemble; the tower and the baptistery are intended to complement, but not to overshadow it.
The erection of the cathedral began in the 1080s, led by the architect Busceto. К the city had become a school of excellence for artists and builders, who travelled to Pisa from all over Italy to perfect their art. art. Therefore, there were enough talented craftsmen to realise the project. Construction progressed quickly, and by 1150 the cathedral's enclosure was completed.
The cathedral is based on the basilica popular in ancient Rome. In the eastern part there is a semicircular apse. Similar apses terminate the three-nave transepts, and the chancel and centre aisle have two side aisles on each side. side aisles. The western facade is the main accent in the exterior appearance of the cathedral. of the cathedral. Four tiers of arcaded galleries rise above the three portals. The western façade is symmetrical, reminiscent of Greek temples. However, the reliefs bronze gates on religious subjects and the sculpture "Our Lady with Child" near the tower neutralise the language of the Greek temples. the tower itself neutralise the pagan parallels.
The darkness of the interior contrasts with the gleaming whiteness of the cathedral from the outside. Simple columns with carved capitals rise to an arcade that unites the five neighbouring arches of stone of contrasting colours. The walls of the nave, thanks to the masonry in the form of horizontal bands of colourful marble seem devoid of gravity. К this was a technique often used by Tuscan craftsmen. The wooden ceiling of the nave is located quite low, and this creates a semi-darkness in the temple, softening the coldness of the stone. of the stone.
The Cathedral Cathedral by Giovanni Pisano is a masterpiece of Pisan sculpture of the 14th century. Reliefs with episodes from the New Testament, the Childhood and Passion of Christ, the Last Judgement. were executed between 1302 and 1310. The compositions are separated from each other by the figures of the Prophets and Sibyls. Prophets and Sibyls.
