Historic Structures Form the Square of Miracles The Piazza dei Miracoli clusters four medieval monuments: the cathedral, begun in the 11th‑12th centuries, whose dome is the world’s second‑oldest surviving dome; the 13th‑century Camposanto, a monumental cemetery housing medieval graves and frescoed walls; the Baptistery, the largest of its kind worldwide and famed for its resonant acoustics; and the Leaning Tower, whose tilt started shortly after construction began in 1174 on soft river‑bed soil and was stabilized by an eleven‑year restoration from 1989 to 2000 [1][2].

Tourist Photo Phenomenon Dominates Visitor Experience Guides report that visitors flock to the Square to stage optical‑illusion photographs with the tower, often “holding up” the structure or placing ice‑cream cones at its base; the practice has become a hallmark of Pisa tourism in 2026 [1][2]. Guide Alessandro Bargagna notes that a lone guard sings a brief two‑note phrase near the baptismal font, a tradition that adds to the site’s unique soundscape while visitors are encouraged to remain silent inside the Baptistery [1][2].

Narrative Emphasizes Reverence and Acoustic Uniqueness Bargagna stresses the importance of quiet contemplation within the Baptistery, likening the guard’s chant to a “choir of angels,” and highlights the structure’s acoustic properties that amplify even the smallest sounds [1][2]. The combined historical narrative and visitor‑focused guidance aim to balance mass tourism with preservation of the Square’s spiritual and cultural atmosphere.