Pisa (how to reach it) has origins shrouded in legend, and its foundation is attributed, from Roman history, either to the colonisation of Focesi merchants, or to those of the Liguri, of whom there are archaeological testimonies in various points on the Tirreno coast. The present-day layout of Pisa is more or less as it was in the Lorraine period.
Piazza of Miracles, where the religious centre of the city is concentrated. In this green area the human existence is represented by the four white buildings: The Baptistery (baptism), the Tower (reason), the Cathedral (health) the Cemetery (death).
The Baptistery, majestic Romanic building, to which a rich Gothic decoration was successively added. Started in 1152 on the plans of Diotisalvi, it was finished more than a century later. The rich interior preserves a splendid marble pulpit by Nicola Pisano.
The leaning Tower (http://torre.duomo.pisa.it), started by Bonanno Pisano in 1173 and finished in 1350 by Tommaso Pisano. This particular cylindrical structure considered a miracle of static for its tilt (ascertained during its construction) is still standing. Closed to the public for some years, because of consolidation works, and recently reopened.
The Cathedral, placed in the centre of the square and dedicated to the Virgin Assunta, it is a masterpiece of Romanic Pisana architecture. Started in 1064 by architect Buscheto it was consecrated by Pope Gelasio II in 1118. In the successive centuries it has been enlarged. It was restored after the fire in 1595 and in the 1800s. The Latin Cross interior is divided in five naves and contains innumerable and precious works of art.
The Cemetery. This huge rectangular gallery closes the northern side of the piazza. According to legend the land enclosed here was transported from Monte Golgota by the Pisani who fought the crusades of 1203. The building was initiated in 1277 and finished after more than a century. The interior is covered with frescos (many devastated by the bombardment of the last war) among which stands out the 1300s complex (attributed to Buffalmacco) figuring the Guidizio Universale, l’Inferno, il Trionfo della Morte (Universal Judgment, the Underworld, the Triumph of Death) It preserves precious Roman sarcophagus, ancient funeral stones and sepulchres of important Pisane families.
Cathedral Works Museum, with Seat of the Canonic Palace on the eastern side of the Piazza dei Miracoli, collection of works from the buildings of the square together with Etruscan and Roman antiquity, and Egyptian finds. Interesting is the Treasure room and the silver room.
Piazza dei Cavalieri, built for Cosimo I and designed by Vasari, it is one of the most scenographic urban realisations of the time. The elegant Palazzo dei Cavalieri faces onto it, now the Seat of the University High School, established by Napoleone. On the left of the Palazzo dei Cavalieri is found the Palazzo dell’Orologio, or della Gherardesca, designed in 1565 by Vasari and realised in 1605 uniting two already existing towers. In one of these in 1289 Count Ugolino met his death with his sons (remembered by Dante in a Canto dell inferno). Another church faces onto the same square, the church of S. Stefano dei Cavalieri, designed by Vasari and erected on the place of a preceding Medieval church. The single nave interior preserves an original collection of ancient flags, for the most part Turkish, as testimony to the Pisani conquests in the Orient.
New Fort, positioned south of the course of the Arno, it was erected in 1468 by the Fiorentini as a sign of its superiority. The fort was reconstructed in 1512 by Giuliano da Sangallo and even today the remains of Bastione Sangallo can be seen.
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