Pisa

The Leaning Tower, a name, a symbol, a guarantee. When we talk about Pisa, the first thing that comes to mind is definitely Piazza dei miracoli and of course the Leaning Tower, but the city hosts many other architectural beauties that will leave your breathless for their majesty. First of all, let’s talk about the location. Pisa is located just 15 km from the Tuscan coast northeast of the region, reachable via the A12 and the A11 highways. It is reachable by train (Pisa is one of the largest railway stations in Tuscany) and by plane, thanks to its International Airport, whose name pays homage to one of the most famous Pisan characters in history, Galileo Galiei. Crossed by the Arno river, the same that also bathes Florence, Pisa has always played an important role not just in Tuscany but in Italian history, since it has been, together with Amalfi, Genoa and Venice, one of the 4 Maritime Republics which dominated the Mediterranean trade in the Middle Ages. A jewel that takes shape in this era, at least as regards its current appearance, but owes its origins to the Etruscans in the VIII century BC. What we can see now in Pisa is the result of the most important construction site in history, which began in 1064, work start date of the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and then continued with the imposing Baptistery in 1153 and the most famous tower in the world, the Leaning Tower, in 1173. The square was completed with the construction of the Spedale Nuovo di Santo Spirito and the Camposanto. All Romanesque-Pisan style architectures, typical of medieval Pisa, are affected by Moorish influences due to the great trade by sea that allowed the Pisans to learn new techniques and arts then used in their yard. A style that serves as the basis for many other important construction sites that will take their inspiration from the Pisan one. An interesting artistic mix that has made the square a real „miracle“. Term used for the first time by the famous poet Gabriele D’Annunzio in one of his novels to pay homage to such great beauty.