A Gothic cloister built as a burial ground, covered with medieval frescoes that were damaged by fire in 1944.
The Camposanto was begun in 1277 as a cemetery for prominent Pisans, enclosing a courtyard said to be filled with earth brought from Golgotha by crusading archbishop Ubaldo Lanfranchi. Its long, blind-arched walls contained one of the largest fresco programmes in medieval Italy, including the Triumph of Death, Last Judgment and Hell attributed to Buonamico Buffalmacco in the 1330s-40s, and Benozzo Gozzoli's Old Testament scenes of the 15th century. On 27 July 1944, an artillery shell set the roof on fire; molten lead damaged many frescoes. Painstaking restoration followed, and the underdrawings revealed beneath the plaster are exhibited in the Museo delle Sinopie. The cloister also displays Roman sarcophagi reused as tombs.
| Admission | About EUR 5-7 (~$6-8); evening Tower tickets from 19:30 include free entry |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily with seasonal variation; check opapisa.it |
| Address | Piazza del Duomo, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy |
Why it matters
Contains one of Italy's most important medieval fresco cycles, including the Triumph of Death.
Site facts
- Built
- 1277-1464
- Architect
- Giovanni di Simone (begun 1277)
- Style
- Gothic
- UNESCO listing
- True
Location
Piazza del Duomo, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy
43.7236, 10.3956 View on map
Highlights
- Triumph of Death fresco
- Benozzo Gozzoli frescoes
- Roman sarcophagi reused as tombs
- Story of wartime damage and restoration
Tips for visiting
- Combine with the Museo delle Sinopie
- Evening tickets from 19:30 include the Camposanto
Accessibility
Largely step-free with level stone floors.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in 1944?
Wartime shelling ignited the roof on 27 July 1944, and the melting lead severely damaged the frescoes, which were later detached and restored.