Pisa is a coastal town in the Italian region of Tuscany. It is the capital of the province of the same name. The town has one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world in the form of the Leaning Tower. The city’s principal landmarks are almost all in the area directly around this tower.
All about Pisa (City Guide)
Tourist information
Region: Tuscany. Province: Pisa. Postal code: 56100, 56121-56128. Phone: (+39) 050. Airport: Galileo Galilei. Town hall: Via degli Uffizi, 1 – 56100 Pisa (at +39 050910111). The Ufficio di Informazioni e Assistenza Turistica is in Piazza del Duomo, 7 (opposite the cathedral). Here you can get free maps and buy tickets fot the attractions around the Campo dei Miracoli. Tel. +39 050550100. Opening Hours: Every day from 9.30am to 5.30pm.
Public transport
Pisa‘s airport is called Galileo Galilei and is both the largest and the most important low-cost airport in Tuscany. Even for tourists visiting Florence, it is often more convenient than flying to the Tuscan capital itself.
The central train station is located in Piazza della Stazione. There are direct train connections to both Rome and Florence. There used to be two railway stations, but the one at the airport was closed, to be replace by the PisaMover metro. Tickets for this train need to be bought before boarding.
Tourist attractions
From the heyday of the Maritime Republic several churches and castles are still standing. The most important monuments of the city are located in and around Piazza del Duomo, or the Campo dei Miracoli. These are firstly the famous Leaning Tower (Torre Pendente), but also the Duomo, the Baptistery, the Monumental Cemetery and the Museo delle Sinopie. The architecture of many buildings shows Arab influences, which can be attributed to the city’s maritime history.
The second important square of the city is the Piazza dei Cavalieri, where the seat of the knights protecting the city from the Turks used to be. The main buildings in this square are the Palazzo dell’Orologio and the Palazzo della Carovana.
In the north east part of the centre stands the San Zeno Church, near the Porta San Zeno, which is also known as Porta Monetaria.
Both the San Sisto in Corte Vecchia and the San Frediano Church are very old. The first one is the one that has best preserved its early Christian architecture.
The bell tower of the San Nicola Church leans, but not as much as its fellow citizen.
The most important museum is the Museo Nazionale di San Matteo.
History
The history of Pisa, although the city is no longer located directly on the coast, is entirely connected to the Tyrrhenic Sea. During the Middle Ages the city was a maritime superpower, which lasted until it became subordinate to Florence.
University
The University of Pisa is one of the oldest universities in the world. It was founded in 1343 by Pope Clement VI, when the Popes resided in Avignon. After the Florentines had partially destroyed it, Cosimo I de’ Medici had it reopened in 1543. The city’s Botanical Garden is part of the Università degli Studi.
Festivals
The most important annual festivals are the Gioco del Ponte (the “Game of the Bridge”) and the Regata di San Ranieri. There are also a number of festivals dedicated to food and music. A list of the most important annual events in Pisa.
Day trips province of Pisa
The second most interesting city in the province is the hill town of Volterra.