Pisa

Pisa was an active port at the time of Republican Rome and then the Roman Empire, and a part of the ancient port is still visible at the Museum of Roman Ships, not far from the Leaning Tower in Piazza dei Miracoli, where excavations for work on the railway lines luckily uncovered a number of Roman ships still bearing their cargoes, which sank in ancient times in a long-forgotten flood of the Arno River.

Pisa became an important Maritime Republic, a great power all over the Mediterranean which was well-represented in the taking of Jerusalem on the First Crusade. The golden age of the city of Pisa was the 10th and 11th centuries, when its great fame and wealth permitted construction of the incredible, unique monumental complex of Piazza dei Miracoli, still admired for its great beauty and perfect state of conservation.

The famous cathedral of Pisa in Piazza dei Miracoli, a world heritage site, was built between 1063 and 1118 out of white and coloured marble in the Pisan Romanesque style, decorated with beautiful bronze doors made by Bonanno Pisano. The square is dominated by the Leaning Tower, a 12th century bell tower which acquired its famous tilt only ten years after it was built and has become one of Italy’s best-known and most frequently visited monuments. The beauty of the square is completed by the elegant dome of the Baptistery, with its incredible acoustics, and the frame of the ancient Monumental Cemetery, dating back to the age of the crusades.

The bends in the river make the view of the Arno River and the buildings constructed along it uniquely beautiful when seen from the five bridges across the Arno or the river boats which operate in summer. Known and loved by poets and writers, the Arno appears in the writings of Byron, Shelley, Montesquieu, Leopardi, Carducci, D’Annunzio and Foscolo.

Pisa is also the birthplace of Galileo Galilei, the great 16th century scientist considered the father of the scientific method and known as the inventor of the telescope, with which he became the first person to extend human knowledge of the universe around us beyond the reach of the naked eye. He risked his life by stating that his observations demonstrated that it was the earth that revolved around the sun, and not vice versa, in the age of the inquisition. The house where he was born still stands on the ancient Via di Borgo Stretto.

A little jewel of 13th century art surprises visitors on the banks of the Arno: the church of Santa Maria della Spina, with its marble statues and lacy spires defying the passage of the centuries. The 16th century Medici Armoury and the Citadel, which marked the mouth of the city’s river port and the limit of the medieval walls on the side facing the sea, are also still visible. The watchtower of the Citadel, rebuilt according to the original design after the Second World War, is open to visitors and offers a beautiful view of the city.

In addition to the fantastic monuments that have made it famous all over the world, the city of Pisa has a beautiful nature reserve, Parco di San Rossore.

The regional park of San Rossore extends over about 24,000 hectares along the coast between Viareggio and Livorno, and despite the intense urban development in the area it has managed to preserve an area covered prevalently by ancient maritime pines and wetlands which are home to more than 200 species of birds, including migratory and permanent populations, as well as deer, wild boar and other small forest animals, which visitors can often spot.

Luminaria di San Ranieri

Luminara di San Ranieri is a major festival held in Pisa every year on the evening of June 16, the eve of the feast day of San Ranieri, patron saint of the city. During the event the entire city is decorated with lights in the windows and loggias of the ancient homes over the Arno River, to dramatic effect. Market stalls are set up all along the river, selling everything from local food specialties to souvenirs and children’s toys. The evening ends with magnificent fireworks set off from the Citadel.

Il gioco del ponte

Il Gioco del Ponte is a historic festival in ancient dress which is held on the Ponte di Mezzo in Pisa on the last Saturday in June. The tradition dates back to the late Middle Ages and has been picked up over the centuries, evolving into the current version, less cruel than the original, in which the winners would cast the losers into the Arno River, but no less spectacular to watch. In today’s version of the Gioco, the Magistracies representing the districts of the city, joined together in the Mezzogiorno and Tramontana districts (for the city is split in two, the South and the North, by the Arno River), compete in pushing a cart along a track mounted for the purpose on the Ponte di Mezzo bridge. The team that manages to push it onto the adversary's side, with a show of muscles and plenty of shouting, wins the game. Before the battle there is a historic parade of warriors from the different Magistracies along the river banks, dressed up in 16th century style with flags, banners, drums and trumpets. A spectacle not to be missed!