Please refer to your voucher for final information regarding meeting points, pick-up locations, and pick-up time
Meeting point description: Begin your quest at the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.(Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 56125 Pisa PI)
This is a self-guided/treasure hunt type of tour - there is no person assisting you at the starting point
Total walking distance of about 3 km
The city game typically around 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete (but you can go at your own pace!)
You must be at the starting point (that you'll see in the app) in order to begin, or else the game won’t start
Pause the game at any time and restart whenever you want, from the place you left it at
You need an internet connection to play this city game
The Leaning Tower of Pisa began to lean shortly after construction started in 1173 due to its inadequate foundation, which was only three meters deep, set in soft, unstable subsoil composed of clay, fine sand, and shell fragments. The lean worsened as subsequent floors were added, leading builders to try compensating by making upper stories taller on the short side, which only added to the structural stress.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is currently considered stable thanks to extensive stabilization efforts completed in the early 2000s. Engineers removed soil from beneath the raised northern side, reducing the lean by approximately 45 centimeters. This intervention has ensured its safety for visitors and is expected to prevent further significant movement for at least the next 200 years.
Yes, visitors are still able to climb to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Access is carefully managed, often requiring pre-booked tickets due to limited daily entry slots. The ascent involves navigating approximately 251 steps along a spiral staircase within the tower. The experience offers unique perspectives of Pisa and the surrounding Piazza dei Miracoli.
Beyond its famous lean, the Leaning Tower of Pisa served as a bell tower, housing seven bells, each tuned to a different musical scale. It also famously hosted Galileo Galilei, who is said to have conducted experiments on gravity from its heights. Furthermore, its construction spanned nearly two centuries, interrupted multiple times by wars, which ironically allowed the soil to settle and prevented its collapse during critical early phases.
Pisa's city center, including the Square of Miracles (home to the Leaning Tower and Baptistry), is very pedestrian-friendly, making walking an excellent way to explore. For longer distances or to reach other sites like Galileo's birthplace (Palazzo della Carovana), local public buses operated by Autolinee Toscane are available. Taxis are also an option for convenience, particularly for reaching destinations further afield from the main tourist areas.
No, the Pisamover shuttle, which provides a direct connection between Pisa Centrale railway station and the Pisa San Giusto Airport, as well as a stop near the Square of Miracles (Cittadella stop), is not free for visitors. It operates as a regular public transport service requiring a ticket for use. Tickets can typically be purchased at automated machines at the stations.
Yes, Pisa typically offers hop-on hop-off bus services, which provide a convenient way to explore its main attractions, including the Duomo, Baptistry, and the Leaning Tower area. These services allow visitors to get on and off at designated stops along a specific route, often with commentary about the sights. It's an efficient option for seeing multiple landmarks at your own pace.
For public transportation in Pisa, the most common payment methods involve purchasing tickets in advance. These can usually be bought at 'tabaccherie' (tobacco shops), newsstands, and sometimes at designated ticket machines at major bus stops. You validate your ticket upon boarding the bus. While cash payment to the driver might be possible on some routes, it's generally more expensive and not always available, so purchasing beforehand is recommended.