The building which has housed the Cathedral Museum of Pisa since 1986 dates back to the 13th century, although it has undergone numerous modifications and ownership. The museum is in the Piazza dei Miracoli between the Leaning Tower and the ‘Spedale’ and it was once home to the canons of the cathedral. The museum was set up to bring together in one location documents, models, reproductions and other materials pertaining to the various phases of construction of the principal monuments of one of the most fascinating and suggestive public squares in all the world. In addition, the museum contains some of the most significant works from these monuments. Of particular interest, there is a bronze Islamic griffon from the 11th century, wood inlays that escaped damage in the famous fire of 1595, and of course, sculptures by Nino Pisano and Giovanni Pisano (the wooden crucifix called the Christ of Elci, the Madonna del Colloquio and the Madonna con Bambino, this latter in ivory), as well as masterpieces by Tino di Camaino and important works by Guglielmo, architect and sculptor who was the first to realise the Cathedral pulpit, then substituted by the pulpit by Giovanni Pisano.