Pisa

Less frequented than her old enemy Florence, Pisa stretches peacefully along the Arno. This city, full of character and rich in terms of art and history like every major city in Tuscany, isn't just about its famous leaning tower.
Take the time to discover the surrounding countryside, which is dotted with charming little villages like San Miniato – which was long divided between the dominion of Pisa and Florence.

Pisa's famous tower is nowadays a very popular attraction for tourists in Tuscany. Though for years it was kept somewhat precariously upright, it has now been renovated with modern construction techniques so as to keep it in balance.
Located on the Piazza del Duomo - also called the «Miracle Plazza» - the tower is part of a larger monumental complex of different religious constructions, such as the cathedral, the Baptistry, the Camposanto, and the Piazza dei Cavalieri. These are the city's main monuments.

The place is a pleasure to visit, but due to its renovations and modernised appearence the charm of it disappears quite quickly. If your tim-table is limited, San Giminiano or Sienna offer a better scene to explore than Pisa.

Pisa's origins are uncertain: there are a number of theories supporting a Ligurian or Greek origin, whereas it is certain that it was an Etruscan settlement and later a Roman colony. Pisa first belonged to the Longobard kingdom and later to the Carolingian empire. Already established as an important naval base in the roman era, from the 11th century Pisa intensified its Mediterranean trade, with many victories of its fleet over Muslim cities.
The Medieval Era coincided with its economic, political and artistics growth, to which the urban planning of the old center bears witness by its many religious and civic building, its squares, its typical narrow alleys that run perpendicular to the river Arno, the great trade route that for centuries represented the economic heart of the city.