Camposanto, Pisa 
View across the courtyard of the Camposanto. Photo
Cinzia.
Central courtyard of the Camposanto. Photo
pansaram.
Central courtyard of the Camposanto. Photo
pansaram.
Cloister corridor by night, with frescoes at left. Photo
Fabrizio.
Frescoes from the Camposanto. Photo
Michel Roland-Guill.
Tomb of Ottaviano Fabrizio Mossotti. Photo
Michel Roland-Guill.
Tomb with effigy relief. Photo
Daniele.
Exterior wall of the Camposanto. Photo
Claus Wolf.The Camposanto ("Holy Field") or Monumental Cemetery in Pisa was constructed in 1278 around sacred dirt brought back from Golgotha during the Crusades. Later decorated with extensive frescoes, it was the burial place of the Pisan upper class for centuries.
History
Construction on the Monumental Cemetery began in 1278 after an archbishop brought back shiploads of holy dirt from Golgotha (where Christ was crucified) during the Crusades. The imported holy ground was surrounded by a marble cloister designed by Giovanni di Simone, and the Camposanto became the burial ground for Pisa's upper class.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, the walls of the Camposanto were decorated with important frescoes by Taddeo Gaddi, Spinello Aretino, Benozzo Gozzoli, and others. Sadly, these were almost completely destroyed by a bombing raid during World War II.
On July 27, 1944, American warplanes launched a major air attack against Pisa, which was still held by the Nazis. The wooden roof caught fire, its lead panels melted and the hot metal ran all over the frescoes. Most of them were completely destroyed and the few that remained were badly damaged.
The Camposanto has since been fully restored. Most of the surviving frescoes, along with preparatory sketches (sinopie) found underneath, have been moved to the Museo delle Sinopie (included in most combination tickets to the Piazza del Duomo).
What to See
With its long, rectangular stretch of grass surrounded by Gothic marble cloisters topped with a dome at one end, the Camposanto is an atmospheric and highly attractive space.
The cloisters are filled with funerary monuments, many of which reuse ancient Roman sarcophagi. The reliefs on these inspired some of Pisa's greatest medieval sculptures. Other monuments are neoclassical confections, tombstones with effigy reliefs, or smaller memorial plaques.
A room off one side of the cloister displays historical photos of the frescoes before and immediately after the bombing of 1944. Also here is a 2nd-century-B.C. Greek vase, another inspiration for Pisan Gothic sculptors.
A few damaged frescoes can still be seen in the Camposanto, the most fascinating of which is the 14th-century Triumph of Death. The artist is unknown, so he is known by the delightful name "Master of the Triumph of Death." Liszt was so impressed by this fresco that he sat down and wrote his famous Totentanz, "Dance of Death," on the spot.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Camposanto; Campo Santo; Monumental Cemetery |
| Type of site: | Cemetery |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Status: | Museum |
| Dates: | 1278 |
| Architecture: | Gothic |
| Location: | Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Tuscany, Italy |
| Phone: | 050-560-547 |
| Hours: | Apr-Sept: daily 8am-7:30pm Mar and Oct: daily 9am-5:30pm Nov-Feb: daily 9am-4:30pm |
| Cost: | €5 (combination tickets available) |
Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Camposanto. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Pisa Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- John Moretti, Frommer's Florence, Tuscany & Umbria, 6th edition (January 2008).
- Piazza del Duomo, Pisa - UNESCO World Heritage List
Travel Resources
- Map of Pisa Hotels - interactive map from TripAdvisor showing hotel ratings
- Pisa Hotel Reviews - unbiased reviews from fellow travelers
- Pisa Travel Forum - tips, advice, invaluable information
- Car Rentals in Pisa - good deals on a large fleet from AutoEurope
- Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour in Pisa - buy a ticket before you leave home
