- Pisa Guide
- Pisa Travel
- Pisa Tourism
- Pisa Tourism Information
- Pisa travel guide
PISA ITALY HOTELS
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Wed 23 Jul 2008
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History of Pisa
Already existing during the Etruscan and Roman times, Pisa reached its apex in the Middle Ages when it was one of the 4 Marine Republics of Italy (Repubbliche Marinare), together with Genoa, Amalfi and Venice.
At that time the city was a very important commercial center and controlled a significant Mediterranean fleet. It conquered part of Sardinia and succesfully defeated several rival town in Sicily and in the south of Italy; its fleet also took part in the crusades. Pisa used the richness it had accumulated in those years to build the monuments that constitutes the Campo dei Miracoli.
The town had an indipendent republican government and was ruled by a city council. Pisa always sided with the pro-imperial Ghibellines, actively supporting emperors such as Frederick Barbarossa, Frederick II and Henry VII. Those emperors acknowledged Pisa indipendence and were grateful for its loyalty such that the town was chosen to host the spoils of Henry King of Germans, the son of Frederick II. The spoils still rest in the Pisa Cathedral.
The decline began in 1284 when it was defeated by Genoa in the naval Battle of Meloria. The defeat ended the marine power of Pisa and the town never fully recovered. It tried to rebuild its power in the course of the 14th century but was eventually conquered by Florence in 1406. Pisa is also known for its excellent university, which was established in 1343 and has become one of Italy's top schools. In this university Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) taught Physics, thus starting an importan scientific tradition that still continues in Pisa today. At the end of the XIX century the town extended outside the boundary of the old town-walls. Pisa suffered from great damages during World War II.
Nowadays an active centre of culture favoured also by excellent road and rail links, Pisa has an active industrial sector: engineering, textiles, pharmaceuticals, glassandpottery, foodstuffs and building. There is also lively cultural activity linked to the University and Scuola Normale. At all times, Pisa is thronged with tourists.
Pisa is one of the ten provinces of Tuscany and is crammed full of wonderful, historical monuments and buildings dating back many hundreds of years, though much of Pisa has retained its medieval appearance. Pisa is also known for its excellent university, which was established in 1343 and has become one of Italy's top schools.
What to see and what to do in Pisa:
The 14th-century Romanesque Leaning Tower is of course Pisa’s main attraction (it has 294 stairs) and really seems to overturn any moment. The tower reopened in November 2001, and tickets to climb the tower cost 15 Euros. A fortification project has made some progress in stopping the increase in inclination and even managed to pull the tower back a bit (40 centimetres). The Leaning Tower belongs to an ensemble of four impressive buildings all located on "Campo dei Miracoli" (square of miracles): the cathedral Santa Maria Assunta, the campanile (leaning tower that was actually a bell tower), the baptistry (looks like a huge "baci" chocolate, that is a delicious Italian candy) and the Camposanto cemetery.(Official site: )
Other interesting sights include Knights' Square, where the Palazzo della Carovana, with its awesome facade made by Giorgio Vasari may be seen, Borgo Stretto where it is possible to stroll under medieval arcades and Lungarno, the avenues along the river Arno. Remarkably, there are at least two other leaning towers in the city, one at the southern end of central Via Santa Maria, the other halfway through the Piagge riverside promenade.
Should time permit stop at Palazzo dei Cavalieri, walk down Via Santa Maria towards the river banks of Arno, where the small Gothic chapel of "Santa Maria della Spina" is located and the National Museum of San Matteo (excellent collection of 12th-through 15th-century art).
We also suggest taking a taxi/bus or bicycle ride to the Church of "San Michele degli Scalzi" to see the other leaning tower of Pisa; completed in the 13th century this seldom-visited tower is worth a look even though it’s not as impressive as the famous one.
It's also fun just to walk around Pisa. The city is very compact with many narrow streets, small markets, hidden treasures and a great ambience.
Museums and Art Galleries in Pisa:
Museo Nazionale di San Matteo (National Museum of St. Matthew)
Lungarno Mediceo, Piazza San Matteo 1, Pisa
Phone: +39 050 565 047
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (Cathedral Works Museum)
Piazza Arcivescovado 6, Pisa
Phone: +39 050 560 547
Museo delle Sinopie
Piazza del Duomo, Pisa
Phone: +39 050 560 547
Le Navi Antiche di Pisa (Lungarno Simonelli Museum)
Medici Arsenale, Ponte della Cittadella Pisa
Events in Pisa:
The Luminara of Saint Ranieri (16th June)
Every year on the night of the 16th of June the enchantment of the Illuminations of Saint Ranieri is renewed on the streets running along the river Arno (the so-called Lungarni). In fact, following an ancient tradition the Pisans celebrate their patron saint, St. Ranieri, of the following day. There are about seventy-thousand wax candles which at every edition are meticulously set in smooth and white glasses and fixed then onto wooden white-painted frames, modelled in such a way as to exalt the outline of the palaces, of the bridges, of the churches and of the towers reflecting on the river.
Il Gioco del Ponte (Last Sunday of June – Next one will be played on June 26th 2005)
This historically evocative event, called Gioco del Ponte, consists of two distinct but both significant parts: the historical procession along the Arno river which is a huge military parade, and the battle, that takes place on the Ponte di Mezzo during which the two opposing teams give proof of their own physical strength in a strongly competitive atmosphere.
The Regatta of Saint Ranieri (17th June)
During the afternoon of June 17th, to celebrate the patron saint of Pisa, four boats representing the most ancient districts of the city (the city is divided into four sections ideally outlined by the river Arno and by the two main streets) compete in a Regatta along the Arno river, heritage of the past glory of Pisa as an ancient maritime republic.
The Regatta of the Marin Republics (May / June every 4 years)
1956 the cities of Amalfi, Genoa, Venice and Pisa have participated in the Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics.
The event, introduced for tourist reasons, evokes the past glory of the most important episodes of the story of the four Maritime Republics.
The first official edition took place in Pisa on the 1st July of that same year. Since then every year the challenge is hosted in turn off the coast of Amalfi and Genoa, along the river Arno in Pisa and in the lagoon of Venice.
In Pisa, along the river Arno, four boats representing the four Republics and marked by different colours, such as blue (Amalfi), white (Genoa), red (Pisa) and green (Venice), compete in the regatta, heritage of the ancient tradition: a two-thousand metre race upstream where they compete for the winner crossing the finishing line first, close to the Church of Saint Matthew.
Useful informations
Touring guide in Pisa
With a tourist guide your visit to the city of Pisa will reach a new living dimension. The experience will be an exciting and unforgettable one for all visitors. For further info: |
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Hotel La Locanda ****
 Via Guarnacci 32I-56048 Volterra, Pisa
+39.0588 81547
+39.0588 81541
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