Year opened: Construction of Camposanto began in 1277 and continued for over a century. It was officially consecrated in 1464, although parts of the structure were completed earlier.
Founder: Commissioned by Archbishop Federico Visconti and built by architect Giovanni di Simone, it was built with the purpose of serving as a burial ground for the city’s elites. The Camposanto’s foundations were laid with the sacred soil reportedly brought back from Golgotha by Archbishop Ubaldo de' Lanfranchi during the Crusades, giving it its name, meaning “holy field.”
Must-see highlights: Camposanto is home to some of the most emotionally powerful art in Pisa. Chief among them is The Triumph of Death, a 14th-century fresco attributed to Buonamico Buffalmacco, known for its vivid portrayal of mortality and salvation.
Current use: Although originally constructed as a monumental cemetery, Camposanto no longer serves a burial function. Today, it is both a sacred space and a site of cultural heritage preservation.
Unique facts: According to legend, bodies buried in this soil would decompose within 24 hours. It is the final resting place of several prominent Pisans, including mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci.