The Palazzo dell’Orologio is a historic building in the Piazza dei Cavalieri, the central square of Pisa. It was created in the 17th century by uniting two already existing palaces.
A brief history of the Palazzo dell’Orologio in Pisa
The Palazzo dell’Orologio is located in a strategic spot that has been inhabited since Etruscan times. It was built in the 17th century by merging two already existing palaces. At that time, the entire Piazza dei Cavalieri was being reorganized.
In the following centuries further renovations took place.
The left side was originally a tower house that would later be converted into the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo.
This building was connected by a passage to the Torre delle Muda, so called because the eagles that symbolized the power of Pisa were imprisoned there during the moulting period (muta).
The tower, owned by the Gualandi family, was later converted into the “Prison of Hunger” (Carcere della Fame), also called “Prison of the Seven Streets”. The latter refers to the original name (Piazza delle Sette Vie), coined when there were still seven streets leading to the square. The former refers to the traitor Ugolino della Gherardesca, who was imprisoned in the tower and left there to starve to death.
In the 16th century the building became an infirmary and the complex was renamed Torre del Buonumo.
Between 1605 and 1608 the palace got its present shape. The tower was incorporated and the two parts connected by a passage.
In 1696, the bell tower to which the palace owes its name was added. Until the beginning of the 19th century it served as a residence for retired knights and as a hospital.
A last restoration took place in 1919, after the building had been purchased by the Earl of Gherardesca. The neo-Gothic quadrille in the left part of the facade dates from that time.
What to see
The frescoes painted glorifying the power of the Medici that used to grace the facade have unfortunately almost completely disappeared.
Address, Opening hours and Entrance fee
The address of the Palazzo dell’Orologio is Piazza dei Cavalieri – 56126 Pisa. Bus: E, 4. The building can only be viewed from the outside.
Palazzo dell’Orologio – Piazza dei Cavalieri, Pisa
Bibliography
Bertini, Luca, Pisa itinerari. Guida alla visita della città .
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