The Logge dei Banchi is located in the Piazza XX Settembre at the Ponte di Mezzo on the southern bank of the river Arno in Pisa. The building is the seat of the State Archives and is located right next to the Palazzo Gambacorti.
A brief history of the Logge di Banchi in Pisa
The Logge dei Banchi was built between 1603 and 1605 by order of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinando I de’ Medici. The work was carried out by Cosimo Pugliani and the project was designed by Bernardo Buontalenti.
The building served as the seat of the wool and silk markets, the exchange and later also the corn trade.
In order to build the Logge dei Banchi, part of a medieval neighborhood, including several tower houses and a prison called Loggetta del Bargello, had to be destroyed, as evidenced by excavations in the alley that runs alongside it.
Of the 17th century Logge, only the bottom row of arcades is still visible, with 12 massive marble-clad pillars. Above are bas-reliefs in a cartouche.
Until 1865, the facade facing the river was decorated with two spirals. However, when the building was transformed into the State Archives, it was given its present form, with a tapering tympanum.
In 1925, the city authorized the entrepreneur Cleopatro Cobianchi to open a “day hotel” (public toilets and baths, a barbershop) in the Logge dei Banchi. During construction, a collection of 13th century gold coins was found. This collection can now be seen in the San Matteo Museum. The day hotel had to be closed when the 1966 flooding caused too much damage.
After years of disuse, the building was restored in 2000 and today part of the space is again used for public toilets. The open area under the loggia is sometimes used for markets.
Address, opening hours and admission
Address: Via dei Banchi, 9, 56125 Pisa. The construction can be viewed from outside.
Logge dei Banchi – Via dei Banchi 9, Pisa
Bibliography
Bertini, Luca, Pisa itinerari. Guida alla visita della città .
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