Interesting places in pisa italy. Attractions of historical Pisa

Pisa is usually considered as a day trip destination. Solo travelers people come here both from Florence and from numerous resorts for which the Tuscan Riviera is so famous. At the same time, Pisa can also be considered as a base point for trips around the area. Of course, from this point of view, Pisa is in many ways inferior to the same Florence (travel routes from Florence are discussed in detail in the corresponding article), but there are weighty arguments in favor of settling in Pisa.

Firstly, Pisa has its own international airport, where it is often much more convenient and cheaper to fly than to Florence airport (suitable tickets can be found on sites such as www.skyscanner.ru, www.momondo.ru, www.aviasales.ru etc.). Secondly, Pisa hotels are noticeably cheaper on average than hotels (and apartments) located in Florence (read more about where it is more convenient for a tourist to live in Pisa). Thirdly, from Pisa it is more convenient to get to the cities of the western part of Tuscany (including not only seaside resorts, but also Lucca in particular), as well as to the famous Cinque Terre National Park, located on the territory of neighboring Liguria. As a matter of fact, further we will consider these and other directions in detail. In doing so, we will focus primarily on the possibilities railway transport(see www.trenitalia.com).

So, where can you go for one day from Pisa.

Florence(Firenze) is the most obvious direction. It would be strange to come to Tuscany and not see Florence. Fortunately, it is not long to go from Pisa to Florence - about an hour by train. However, you should immediately make a reservation that it is worth going to the capital of Tuscany not for a day, but for at least two or three days (the question of where it is better to stay in Florence is considered in detail). In one day, you only have time to run through the historical center of Florence, briefly inspect the main sights and admire the panorama of the city from the height of Piazzale Michelangelo.

Five Lands National Park, or Cinque Terre(Cinque Terre)- Another very obvious destination for a day trip from Pisa. The place is beautiful and no less popular than Florence. There are a lot of tourists here (especially during the summer holiday season), and you need to be prepared for this. Perhaps the best thing you can think of is, again, to come here not for one, but for several days (you can stop, for example, in Monterosso al Mare - more). But for lack of time, you can go to the Cinque Terre from Pisa in one day, since it is really possible to get to the same Monterosso in just over an hour. You can go with a change in La Spezia, but there are also direct trains, which is much more convenient.

Luke(Lucca)- the city is pleasant in all respects: there is something to see, clean, comfortable, quiet and, moreover, very close to Pisa (between Pisa and Lucca about 30 minutes by rail). It is definitely worth coming to Lucca for at least half a day, and if you want to take a closer look at the interiors of the local churches, not limited to visiting the Cathedral of St. Martin, then you can safely lay the whole day on the trip.

Volterra(Volterra), even in comparison with Lucca, not to mention the Cinque Terre and Florence, the place is not so popular among tourists. However, in our opinion, a trip to Volterra can become no less interesting. Volterra is a small city, but here you can find traces of Etruscan civilization, and evidence of the ancient Roman era, and, of course, numerous echoes of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance that came to replace them. Half a day is more than enough. That's just getting to Volterra public transport not too convenient. From Pisa you can take the train to Pontedera (station Pontedera-Casciana Terme, ride about 15 minutes), and then transfer to bus number 500 to Volterra (drive about 1 hour 20 minutes; see the schedule on www.pisa.cttnord.it) .

It is clear that in this case it is much more convenient to travel by car, especially since in this way, along with Volterra, you can visit the nearby San Gimignano, famous for its medieval skyscraper towers. Siena is in the same direction.

For car travelers in Tuscany, in general, almost limitless expanses open up., since it is advisable to get to many attractions by car. In particular, we will mention such places as Cave of the Winds (Grotta del Vento), Barga (Barga), Castelnuovo di Carfagnana (Castelnuovo di Garfagnana), Isola Santa (Isola Santa), Carrara (Carrara). All of them are located in the Apennines north of Pisa (this part of the Apennines is often called the Apuan Alps), and within one trip you can easily combine visits to two or three places from the above or similar ones. East of Pisa are Vinci, San Miniato, Castelfranco di Sotto and other interesting towns. In short, the choice is extremely wide. Fortunately, renting a car in Italy in general and in Pisa in particular is not a problem (see www.rentalcars.com , www.economybookings.com etc.).

If you pay attention south of Pisa, you can find another interesting place, which for some reason often slips out of sight of travelers. It's about the island of Elba.

It cannot be said that Elba island(Isola d'Elba) located near Pisa. The distance between these places, in general, is quite decent (about 170 km). However, from the point of view of traveling in Italy, the most convenient way to get to Elba is through Pisa. Moreover, you can go to this island at least for a week, at least for two, since Elba is notable not only as the place of Napoleon's first exile, but also as an excellent seaside resort. (By the way, you can read more about the sea and beaches near Pisa.) You can get here with a change in Piombino (Piombino): to Piombino by train (about an hour and a half from Pisa), and from Piombino to Elba by ferry or "meteor" ( see www.toremar.it and www.blunavytraghetti.com). To the main town of Elba Portoferraio (Portoferraio) swim from 40 minutes to an hour, and to the town of Cavo (Cavo) - 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, you can get to Elba via San Vincenzo, which also has water links to this and other nearby islands (although there are few flights; see www.aquavision.it). Thus, if we talk about trips to the Elba from Pisa, it is quite possible to turn around in a day, and if you like it, then next time you can stay longer on the Elba.

Travel notes, day 2

Only very ordinary people who know nothing more about Pisa can go to Pisa just to look at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. These people often spend only a few hours in the city and leave without seeing or learning anything else. When I first came to Pisa, that's exactly what I did. I arrived, looked at the tower and left, immediately forgetting everything like a bad dream. I would never have returned here if not for Anton Borisovich Nosik:

"Another 26 million Chinese and Italians follow the same path every year. It's a beaten track - it's like coming to Moscow, seeing Red Square and returning to the airport (and according to the behavior of the GPS at the Kremlin, both are right in Vnukovo). If you understand that Moscow is not just Red Square, then there should be the same awareness about Pisa. In addition to the tower, there is amazing architecture, museums, antiquity, history - all this is in abundance here. But all this is poorly documented, and in this there are no serious documents about the Republic of Pisa except for the Divine Comedy, but the traces of past times are very well preserved here.

In addition to history, in Pisa there is such an interesting phenomenon as modern Italy. Pisa is very a good city for living, it's the exact opposite of Venice. It is very small, calm and cheap city, but at the same time absolutely cosmopolitan and university. In Venice, the bulk of the population is people 80+. And in Pisa, the majority of the inhabitants are young people, students and teachers. Half of the largest buildings in the city are universities, so Pisa is full of youth and fun. At the same time, tourists do not spoil the internal market of Pisa at all, as happens in Rome and Venice. Because the bulk of normal business in Pisa is still focused on locals. This can be seen in the prices of coffee, food, clothes and everything else. The main buyer in Pisa is a local, not a tourist. For tourists, there are only clay Leaning Towers of Pisa on the refrigerator. And if a tourist wants to buy shorts, then no one will rip off a lot of money from him just because he is a tourist. If in Moscow these shorts cost 50 dollars, then in Pisa they are sold for 10 euros.

01. There are wonderful street cafes everywhere in Italy. It is enough to put tables, chairs and umbrellas on the pedestrian street - and already buzz.

02. Another example of a good street cafe. Here, just give free rein, they are trying to build some kind of bulky structures, fence off with fences, make some kind of extensions. This, of course, is no good, because a street cafe should not only bring profit to businessmen, but also be an adornment of the city, make it comfortable and pleasant for walking, enliven. Because people sitting on the street immediately transform the urban environment.

03. There are a lot of beggars in Italy. Beggars often sit with animals and press for pity.

04. Press kiosk

05. Squares and streets turn into markets in the morning. In general, during the day the same area can be a food market, then a clothing market, then tables of cafes and restaurants will appear there. At lunchtime, the square will be completely empty, in the evening young people will walk there, and at night some kind of disco will begin. Every public space is constantly changing throughout the day.

06. Food markets unfold in just a few minutes.

07. Products are mostly local. Usually the trader signs what goods they brought from where, especially if the products are from Italy and in this case Tuscany.

08. Sicilian tomatoes - 128 rubles per kg, zucchini - 193 rubles. per kg. Fennel - 128 rubles, asparagus - 385 rubles, pumpkin - 160 rubles.

09. Peaches - 193 rubles per kg, cherry - 385 p.

10. Mushrooms at a discount: 642 rubles per pound

11. Different varieties of tomatoes from 225 to 450 rubles per kg.

12.

13. Beans - 385 rubles. per kg, zucchini for 258 rubles. We eat zucchini like zucchini, only the lower part, and in Italy they also eat flowers. Salads, pizzas are made from them, and in general these flowers are a rather important component of the national cuisine.

14. The seller at the butcher's shop

15. Wherever you go in Italy, it is, of course, fantastically delicious. And not only pastas and pizzas, which we are already used to here, but anything in general: salads, meat and seafood - everything is prepared from the freshest local products. You can safely go to any institution and die of pleasure.

16. Shop with truffles. Now is not the season, so the truffles are only canned.

17. Apparatus for the sale of cigarettes. You can only buy them if you have a local ID. That is, tobacco is only for Italians) They insert their IDs, the machine checks the age of the buyer and only then issues the goods. But a tourist can always ask a local to buy him cigarettes, and he will certainly help.

18. In honor of the next anniversary of the march of Mussolini's supporters on Rome, the local Pisan authorities decided to recall that Mussolini also persecuted the Jews. In fact, Jews remember exactly the opposite - that under Mussolini they lived here absolutely calmly, but as soon as he was overthrown in 1943, the Holocaust began immediately. But the Pisan authorities have a different version of events: in the 38th year, Mussolini also passed a discriminatory law against the Jews. And in memory of this event, they made a city route through Jewish places.

19. Anton Borisovich Nosik says that Pisa is similar to St. Petersburg.

20. Street art

21. Streets of Pisa

22. Walking around Pisa is a pleasure. Big Old city which is well preserved. Yes, there are no sidewalks and some good public spaces, but the very charm of the narrow streets of the old city is something that is missing in Russia.

23. We do not have medieval cities in the form in which they have been preserved in Europe. In Russia, cities were not built of stone, and since then, at best, we have left the Kremlin, and, of course, you will not find residential buildings.

24. It is difficult even for two people to pass each other on these streets.

25. But all these houses are residential, everything is real.

26. There is a well-known anecdote about the origin of the Russian word "stibrili" - about how Julius Caesar crossed the Tiber and was left without a horse. And the student who hears this from the professor asks: did something happen to Julius Caesar near Pisa? So, in the photo - a monument to the king and unifier of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II. In all other cities of Italy and in all the paintings you see Victor Emmanuel on horseback. Actually, it is only because they recognize it that it is an equestrian statue. But in Pisa, he was just left without a horse ...

27. Toilet

28.

29. Even in Pisa there are traffic jams. But there are no underground passages.

30. Only scooters can enter some streets.

31.

32. Entrance to local buses is only through the front door, as in Moscow. It's bad, it shouldn't be.

33.

34. This is one of the most famous monuments of Tuscan Gothic - the chapel of Santa Maria della Spina. It is built around a relic - a thorn from the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ.

35. But it doesn’t matter, it’s just one of the greatest monuments of Gothic that originated a thousand years ago. It is very cool in terms of sculpture, architecture, engineering and design.

36.

37.

38.

39. Artifacts of antiquity come across everywhere.

40. Here you can see the remains of the renovation of the Medici. The same thing often happened to us in the 90s and zero, when historical buildings were mutilated for modern needs. In Italy, too, this is, only it was done a long time ago.

41. These marks are like scars on the body of the city. It can be seen that the once beautiful buildings were simplified, chopped off and adapted to the needs of new generations.

42. Now, of course, this is unthinkable, but before people had a simpler attitude to history. You can imagine how many centuries the thinking of some Russian building owners has lagged behind the thinking of Europeans.

43. This is a monument to Ferdinand I, who at the age of 14 received the rank of bishop. He was the fifth son in the family, and it was clear that the fifth son would never make the career of a duke. So he had to serve as a bishop. But in general, he never put on a cassock, because after the death of his brothers, he was nevertheless appointed Grand Duke of Tuscany. And it turned out that he was a normal man: he freed the prisoners, allowed them to practice different religions, allowed them to print books in different languages, opened the port of Livorno. The city was very grateful to him, so this statue was erected in his lifetime in his honor. Ferdinand will rule for another 14 years, and a monument to him has already been erected. In front of him, women with children kneel - this symbolizes that he freed many prisoners accused of fighting against the Medici.

44. Garbage cans

45. Tanks are opened with a special magnetic card that residents have.

46. ​​Underground garbage cans are also opened only with a card. A footpath was made around so that, God forbid, someone would not park.

47. Bakunin lived for some time in Italy - though not in Pisa - and even tried to organize an uprising here. According to Bakunin, many anarchists are still fanatic, including European ones. Apparently, they left graffiti.

48. Scooter parking

49. Here Muslim Indians sell halal meat.

50. There are many Africans in the city who are trying to sell souvenirs.

51. And in general, there are quite a lot of migrants in Pisa, a lot of Arabs. Basically, they are engaged in begging, selling all sorts of junk, standing on all streets, especially where there are tourists.

52. A special postal car, which is allowed to deliver correspondence along pedestrian streets.

53.

54.

55. There are many cyclists in the city.

56. It’s just possible to do without a car, but there are still cars.

57. This is one of the elements of Piazza dei Cavalieri (Square of the Knights). Church of the Order of Saint Stephen, personally designed by the famous art historian Giorgio Vasari. It is part of the general Cavalieri complex, a very beautiful church. This is how the Medici asserted their cultural presence.

58. Church of San Rocco, it was founded in the 11th century, and inside it was completed already in baroque times, in the 17th century. But basically all these ceilings and layouts are from the 11th century.

59. Enhanced security is on duty near the main attractions.

60. Sculpture "Fallen Angel"

61. And here is the tower. At the top you can see the flag of Pisa.

62. Of course, everyone photographs her endlessly.

63. Pisa Cathedral in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

64. Box with relics of various saints. If they were brought to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, this would be enough for Moscow to stand in an endless queue. And here they do not cause any excitement.

65. Baptistery of Saint John. That is the place where they are baptized. It is even older than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

66.

67. They don't know how to lay asphalt here. They laid new asphalt, made markings, but look at the edges. This, of course, is nonsense, you can't do that.

68. Everything is already falling apart.

Pisa is a city in Italy, located in the region of Tuscany, at a distance of ten kilometers from Ligurian Sea. The symbol of the city is the Leaning Tower, which has the status of an object world heritage. In fact, in Pisa you can see many famous and worthy sights, each of which surprises rich history and impeccable architectural design.

In addition, the history of Pisa began successfully in the 9th century BC, when the Etruscans lived on the lands. Various interesting sights have survived to this day, each of which can surprise with its architectural splendor.

So, in Pisa you can see the following attractions:

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a landmark that appeared due to a serious mistake during construction activities. The construction was carried out in two stages, as a result of which it took almost two centuries.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa appeared in 1360, after which regular work began to strengthen the facility. Despite the efforts of architects and builders, the Leaning Tower of Pisa still deviates from its natural position at a rate of 1.2 millimeters per year. Until the Leaning Tower of Pisa falls, tourists will enjoy the local attraction.

Location: Piazza del Duomo, 56126.

The Field of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli) is a walled square. There are four attractions here:

• Cathedral.
• Baptistery.
• Bell tower.
• Cemetery.

The Field of Miracles was inscribed on the official UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987.

The construction of the Pisa Cathedral started in 1063. From the very beginning, there was a desire for an organic combination of details of different architectural styles. Moreover, even Islamic features were used. Such eclecticism was supposed to emphasize the scope of trading activity in Pisa.

Pisa Cathedral was consecrated in 1118 by the Pope Gelasius II. Subsequently, numerous restorations were carried out, after each of which it was possible to find certain changes.

Location: Piazza del Duomo - 56126.

The Baptistery is one of the most famous sights in Pisa. The cult object is located on the central square and is included in the architectural ensemble of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The baptistery is designed specifically for the sacrament of baptism. Moreover, the tradition has existed since the distant 1363. It took more than 200 years for construction activities, as a result of which the building was influenced by different architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic.

The Baptistery in Pisa is the largest of its kind in all of Italy.

The monument depicts a she-wolf approximately life-size. At the same time, the she-wolf feeds the milk of two children. The monument has existed since the 5th century BC, and it is an illustration of the mythological story of how the she-wolf fed Remus and Romulus. The Capitoline Wolf is one of the most famous symbols of all of Italy.

Location: Piazza del Campidoglio - 1.

The Arno embankment is one of the most attractive places to walk around Pisa.

The Arno River has a turbulent and dangerous character. To tame it, it was necessary to create an embankment of red brick and sandstone. This combination immediately emphasizes the real spirit of medieval Pisa.

While walking along the embankment, you can see a knight's fortress with loopholes and fortified walls, small churches.

The walls of Pisa were formerly the walls of the Republic. To date, the wall has been preserved in very good condition, despite the fact that the construction of the object started in 1155. In different eras, two systems of military fences were added to the existing wall. Towers were erected every three hundred meters.

The second largest square in Pisa, located in the historic center of the city, is Piazza Dei Cavalieri. Palaces, the Church of St. Stephen, the Higher School of Pisa are located here. The features of the architectural ensemble make it possible to understand how great the influence of medieval architecture is.

Location: Piazza dei Cavalieri.

On Duomo Square there are sights that influenced the monumental art of Italy in the 11th - 14th centuries.

In the central part is the Cathedral of the Ascension of the Virgin, which is a reflection of the Islamic, Romanesque, Byzantine styles. Decor includes mosaics, polychrome marble, bronze relief images.

In addition, here you can see the baptistery, the bell tower, the Campo Santo cemetery. Each object is closely associated with medieval architecture.

Location: Piazza del Duomo - 56010 Pisa PI.

On the banks of the Arno River is the Church of Santa Maria della Spina, built according to the best principles of the Gothic style. The appearance of the attraction dates back to 1230.

Features of the architectural design of the church:

• The facade of the building was created on the basis of multi-colored marble.
• The niches are decorated with sculptural images of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels.
• The right side is decorated with floral ornaments, small turrets, numerous niches.

As a result, the church is one of the most worthy examples of Pisan architecture.

Location: Lungarno Gambacorti - 56125 Pisa PI.

The Camposanto (Holy Land) Memorial Cemetery has existed since 1278. A cemetery was built next to the sacred land, which, after the Crusades, was brought on ships from Jerusalem. Previously, burial in this area was considered honorable.

In 1944, the memorial cemetery was destroyed by the Americans, but nevertheless, restoration measures were successfully carried out.

The cemetery has the following features:

• The main part is a courtyard with tombs of noble people, decorated with marble sculptures.
• In the inner part there are graves for wealthy and less wealthy people.
• The building is decorated unique frescoes renaissance, mosaic;
• The basis of the architectural style is Gothic elements.

The Camposanto Memorial Cemetery is notable for its worthy execution.

Location: Piazza del Duomo- 17, 56126 Pisa Pl.

Agostini Palace appeared at the turn of the XIV - XV centuries due to the restructuring of several medieval buildings and their unification with one facade.

Agostini is distinguished by the following attributes:

• Clay reliefs.
• Double and triple lancet windows separated by columns.
• Floral ornament.
• Niches between windows with human figures and Agostini symbols.

The beauty of the Agostini Palace can be appreciated by every tourist.

Location: 56126, Lungarno Antonio Pacinotti - 26.

The church is located in the historical center of Pisa and dates back to the 13th century. The religious landmark originally belonged to the knights of the Dominican Order, but later it was converted into a parish church.

The facade is made of white and gray marble, divided into three tiers. In the central part you can see a large Gothic rose. Inside the church are paintings, altars and sarcophagi.

Location: Piazza Santa Caterina.

Initially, they belonged to the navy of the Pisan Republic. Subsequently, the arsenals were owned by the Medici family, whose representatives repeatedly became the rulers of Florence.

Today, the Medici arsenals are used for the maritime museum.

The Archbishop's Palace is one of the most tall buildings in Pisa. Its construction took place in the 15th century. At the same time, the palace was built on the ruins of a building of the XII century. Subsequently, the palace complex had to be restored, preserving the best principles of the Florentine style.

The monastery has existed since 1393. It originally belonged to the Benedictine monks. However, in 1808 the nuns left the cloisters, but later returned to them. Thus, the test periods still managed to be successfully overcome.

Today the monastery complex is closed for worship. The building is used for conferences and congresses of the Cassa di Risparmi Foundation.

The Sinopi Museum is located in a building that was built in the middle of the 13th century. The construction was carried out at the behest of Pope Alexander IV to consolidate the reconciliation between the Holy See and Pisa. As a result, the building was used as a refuge for pilgrims.

The building was part of the hospital until 1969. After that, repairs were carried out. Now the premises are used for a museum in which you can see medieval paintings.

Location: Piazza del Duomo.

Palazzo Lanfreducci is one of the most interesting objects of the 18th century in Pisa. The palace complex was designed by architect Cosimo Puliani from Florence. At the same time, construction activities were successfully launched on the orders of Francesco Landucci, Knight of Malta.

The marble facade was created taking into account the principles of the Renaissance:

• Three floors.
• Five windows.
• On the crossbeam of the doorway one can read the words Alla Giornata.
• Above is a balcony with a French window emblazoned with the family coat of arms.

This style of the palace can be appreciated even in the 21st century.

Pisa is small but interesting city in Italy, which deserves special attention of tourists.

Attractions of Pisa - Pisa what to see? Hotels, everything about Pisa, photos of Pisa, how to get to the city of Pisa?

Pisa city (pisa), located in the north, was one of the largest Italian cities, the most powerful maritime power, the eternal rival, and. Today, the city is no longer landlocked - which, nevertheless, can be easily reached, due to the fact that Pisa is only a few kilometers from Tyrrhenian coast- however, his fame continues to thunder all over the world. Of course, we are talking about the famous tower, tilted from its vertical axis. But the leaning tower is just one of the many attractions in this city of Greek origin. Being in the shadow for centuries, which is located at a distance of about seventy kilometers, it is safe to say that Pisa can "give odds" to the capital of Tuscany, because in this city there are so many magnificent churches, towers, historical buildings and beautiful residences that during walking tour The streets of Pisa will take your breath away.

Most of the tourist beauties are concentrated in Piazza del Duomo, where the Leaning Tower of Pisa stands. Here you will also find an amazing number of souvenir shops offering tourists miniature replicas of the tower in all its different aspects (even towers that glow in the dark). The Leaning Tower of Pisa owes its world fame to Galileo Galilei: the legend says that the philosopher, in order to demonstrate the law of falling bodies, climbed this tower and threw objects made of various materials from above.

Everyone thinks that the Tower of Pisa is a completely unique phenomenon. However, there are still many historical buildings in the city, leaning like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The fact is that the Pisan soil consists of clay and sand, which over time leads to displacements in the structure of the foundation of ancient buildings. So, the bell tower of the church of San Nicola has a slope of 2.5 degrees, and the bell tower of the church of San Michele Scalzi has the same slope as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

How to get to Pisa?

The famous city of Pisa is easily accessible by car and bus via the motorway, by ship from the nearby port of Livorno, by train and of course by air thanks to Galileo Galilei International Airport.

By plane

The international airport, which is located in Pisa, bears the name of the famous physicist Galileo Galilei. It is located just a 5-minute bus, train or car ride from the city centre. This is a major international airport that serves international and national airlines, tourists fly here to then get to various cities in the Tuscany region (for example, to Siena). To book tickets to Pisa without any problems, visit the large air ticket search engine Aviasales.ru, where in a matter of minutes you can select the desired flight and pay for the trip.

Landing at Pisa airport, you can easily reach the city center. You can take the train that connects the airport arrivals terminal with the Pisa train station.

In addition, every 10 minutes there is a bus from the airport (LAM Rossa line) that connects the airport with the Central Station and Pisa city centre. The bus station is located outside the airport - on the arrival side. By the way, there is a bus from Pisa airport to the railway station of Florence.

Most convenient way to get to Pisa from the airport - order a transfer from the airport to Pisa. Such a solution can be very beneficial for a group of tourists of 3-4 people. To move around the city, you can order a taxi in Pisa with a Russian-speaking driver. It is possible to select and order a transfer through convenient service Kiwitaxi: you just need to choose where you want to go from and where you want to go. At the specified time, at the specified place, your personal driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name.

By train

The central railway station of Pisa (Pisa Centrale) is one of the main transport hubs at the regional and national level. From here it is easy to get to Florence and other Italian cities.

The station is located on the southern edge of the historic center of the city, about 1.5 km from the airport and two hundred meters from the suburban bus station Piazza Sant'Antonio.

Outside the railway terminal you will find a taxi rank and bus lines that will take you directly to Piazza dei Miracoli and Galileo Galilei International Airport. Inside the station there is a left-luggage office.

For information about train departure and arrival times, visit www.ferroviedellostato.it.

By car

If you have rented a car (you can book a car on the Rentalcars website, like the portal "Italy in Russian" already), then you can get to Pisa as follows:

From Florence- take the Firenze-Mare A11 motorway, exit Pisa Nord, then take the SS1 Aurelia towards Pisa Sud (about 6 km); alternatively via Florence-Pisa-Livorno (FI-PI-LI), exit Pisa Nord-Est (toward Cisanello Hospital), Pisa Airport, Pisa Aurelia (Leaning Tower of Pisa).

From Rome, Bologna- take the A1 motorway to Florence, then take the A11, exit Pisa Nord, then take the SS1 Aurelia towards Pisa Sud (about 6 km). Alternatively, from Rome you can take the A12-E80 to Civitavecchia, then the E80-SS1 Aurelia to Rosignano Maritime and then the A12-E80 to Pisa (Pisa Centro).

From Genoa- Take the A12 Genoa-Rosignano motorway, exit Pisa Nord, then take the SS1 Aurelia towards Pisa Sud (about 6 km).

Access to the historic center of Pisa by car is generally prohibited.

By bus

1) From Florence Airport

The center of Pisa can be reached directly from the airport and Florence train station. The service is provided by Terravision.

2) Suburban buses

Pisa is served by the CPT transport company which covers most of the province, by the Lazzi buses which connect Pisa with Lucca and Viareggio, and by the Vaibus which links Pisa with Lucca and Pietrasanta.

3) Intercity buses

Pisa is served by intercity bus lines that connect it to various Italian regions, mainly in the south-central part:

1. Bus lines Simet - Calabria (arrival Via Pietrasantina).
2. Bus lines Sena - Marche, Abruzzo, Apulia, Calabria, Campania, Sicily (arrival Via Pietrasantina).
3. Bus lines Moretti - Basilicata.
4. Bus lines Marozzi - Basilicata and Apulia.

View of the Apuan Alps from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Thinkstock Photos

Where to stay in Pisa?

Pisa is a relatively small city with a population of less than 100,000, but the places to stay and stay for tourists are numerous and able to satisfy every visitor to the city: those who want to stay in the comfort and luxury of five-star hotels, and those who want to spend less saving for something fun.
If your budget is limited, choose three-star hotels, which are very numerous in the city, especially in the historical center.

If you think where to stay in Pisa, then our portal "Italy in Russian" advises you to visit Booking.com, where you can view numerous offers from the most popular hotels in the city. Below we present short list of the best, according to guest reviews, Pisa hotels.

4 star hotels

Address: Via Giuseppe Mazzini 57, Pisa
Visitor rating: 8.4 out of 10

Located in the historic center of Pisa, a 5-minute walk from the train station, the elegant Hotel Bologna offers cozy rooms with amenities (free Wi-Fi, minibar, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, large windows, wooden floors and heating ) and transfer to the airport.

Breakfast at the Hotel Bologna is served as a buffet of fruits, cold meats and fresh pastries, which can be enjoyed on the hotel's courtyard terrace. The bar offers free tastings of traditional Tuscan products.

Campo dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower of Pisa are a 12-minute walk from the hotel, while the motorway connecting Pisa with Florence and Livorno is 3 km away.

Room price - from 50 euros / day.

Address: Via Filippo Mazzei 2 - Angolo S.Biagio, Pisa
Visitor rating: 8.3 out of 10

The modern Hotel San Ranieri is located 10 minutes from Pisa Airport and 300 meters from Cisanello, a stylish hotel that boasts a large garden and free Wi-Fi and parking services.

Rooms at the San Ranieri Hotel are equipped with a TV with Mediaset Premium channels, a minibar, air conditioning and a private bathroom. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.

The hotel offers a breakfast buffet and the glass-roofed restaurant serves Tuscan cuisine indoors, outdoors or in your room. Easily accessible from the A12 motorway, Hotel San Ranieri is a 10-minute drive from Pisa Train Station and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Room price - from 72 euros / day.

3 star hotels

Address: Via Alessandro Della Spina 2 / 7 / 9, Pisa
Visitor rating: 8.6 out of 10

Alessandro Della Spina is just a 5-minute walk from Pisa Central Station and a 10-minute walk from the city centre. The hotel offers comfortable air-conditioned rooms with satellite TV and a private bathroom with bath or shower. There is free Wi-Fi in the hotel lobby. Breakfast at the Alessandro Della Spina includes homemade bread and croissants (included in the room rate).

Room price - from 99 euros / day.

Address: Via Risorgimento 42, Pisa
Visitor rating: 8 out of 10

Hotel Athena is just 300 meters from the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa; The hotel has a large garden.

Rooms in Hotel Athena air-conditioned and equipped with an LCD TV with satellite channels, a mini fridge and a private bathroom. In the lobby you will find free Wi-Fi.

The hotel's large garden is perfect place to relax outdoors, have a coffee or a cocktail. The hotel offers free parking (limited spaces).

Room price - from 67 euros / day.

Sights of Pisa

Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli)

The main religious monuments of the city are collected here: in addition to the leaning tower itself - the bell tower, on the wide Square of Miracles there is the Cathedral (therefore, another name for the square is Cathedral), the Baptistery and the ancient cemetery.

In 1155, the Square of Miracles was surrounded by walls, and a century later a cemetery (in its northern part) and a new hospital (in its southern part) appeared here. The Square of Miracles, familiar to us, acquired its modern look at about .

You can get to Miracle Square from the station by bus number 3.

Square of Miracles. Thinkstock Photos

Leaning tower (Torre pendente)

This is a world-famous symbol not only of Pisa itself, but of the entire tourist industry. The construction of the bell tower was started in 1173, however, due to subsidence of the soil and the resulting slope, after the completion of the third floor, the construction of the tower was suspended until 1275, when it was nevertheless decided to complete its construction. But the construction of the belfry itself ended only in the second half of the 14th century. The height of the tower is 56.7 meters. Pisa-born Galileo Galilei used the tilt of the tower for his free-fall experiments.

Over the past eight centuries, the tower has deviated from its axis by about two meters 60 cm. A very slow but constant increase in tilt has continued, but scientists have continued to make attempts to stop this process and fix the tower - using, for example, the installation of steel cables in 1996, or removal of part of the soil in the northern part of its foundation. The tower is currently tilted at 3° 54".

Falling tower. Thinkstock Photos

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is open to the public every day from 9.00 to 19.00 (March to October), 8.30 to 20.30 (April to September) and 9.30 to 17.00 (November to February). From June 14 to September 15, there are also night visits to the tower from 20.30 to 23.00. The cost of climbing up, where 294 steps lead, is 15 euros.

Pisa Cathedral (Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta)

The Cathedral of Pisa, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was begun in 1064 by the architect Busqueto, who added elements of Norman, Byzantine, early Christian and even Arabic architecture to the traditional Romanesque style, trying with this original mixture to emphasize the scale of trade relations and the greatness of the Pisan Maritime Republic, and at the same time trying to surpass the "competitors" - the Venetians, who built the Cathedral of St. Mark in the same period.

The construction of the Pisa Cathedral was completed in the 12th century by the architect Rainaldo, who designed its magnificent façade. The modern appearance of the cathedral is the result of numerous restorations carried out at different times. Its interior, built in the shape of a Latin cross, is a real museum in terms of the number of works of art collected here. In the 19th century, however, some of the cathedral's sculptures were replaced with copies, and the originals were transferred to the cathedral's museum.

The facade of the Pisa Cathedral and its interior decoration. Thinkstock Photos

You can visit the Pisa Cathedral: in winter from 10.00 to 12.45 and from 15.00 to 16.45 (on weekdays) and from 15.00 to 16.45 on public holidays. In spring and autumn, the cathedral is open from 9.00 to 17.40, in summer - from 8.00 to 19.40. The entrance fee is 2 euros.

Baptistery

The baptistery (baptistery), dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is another component of the monumental complex Square of Miracles.

Its construction began in the second half of the 12th century by the architect Diotisalvi; it was built intermittently for almost two centuries. Many of the sculptures that adorn the façade, as well as the pulpit, depicting scenes from the life of Christ, were created by Nicola Pisano.

The pulpit of the baptistery. Photo arte.it

Deprived of special decorations in its interior decoration, the baptistery has exceptional acoustics and is the largest in Italy - its circumference is 107.24 m.

Baptistery . F by Thinkstock

The baptistery is open to the public every day except January 1 and December 25, in winter - from 9.00 to 16.40, in spring and autumn - from 9.00 to 17.40, in summer - from 8.00 to 19.40. The cost of a full ticket is 5 euros, a reduced ticket is 2 euros.

Monumental cemetery (Camposanto monumentale)

In the northern part of the Square of Miracles is the Monumental Cemetery. The land itself, on which numerous tombstones of prominent residents of Pisa stand, is considered holy, brought by the crusaders from Mount Calvary. As decorative elements - works of art of the Etruscan, Roman and medieval periods. The cemetery was laid in 1277, and its construction was completed at the end of the 16th century. Until now, the restoration of frescoes that suffered from the bombing of the Second World War continues.

Monumental cemetery. Thinkstock Photos

Camposanto Cemetery is open to the public all days except January 1 and December 25, in winter from 9.00 to 16.40, in spring and autumn - from 9.00 to 17.40, in summer - from 8.00 to 19.40. The cost of a full ticket is 5 euros, a reduced ticket is 2 euros.

Piazza dei Cavalieri

Piazza dei Cavalieri or Piazza des Knights is one of the most famous squares in all of Pisa due to its unforgettable combination of antiquity and modernity. Here are some of the most important historical buildings of Pisa, such as the Palazzo del Orologio (Palazzo dell "Orologio), built on the site where the Torre Muda tower once stood, scary place where in 1288 they starved Count Ugolino and his sons (whose story is told in the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri); the Palazzo dei Cavalieri, designed by Vasari, and the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri. There are also buildings that "meet" the future: for example, the Scuola Normale Superiore, one of the most important universities in all of Italy, whose physics department is one of the most popular and prestigious on the Italian peninsula.

Piazza dei Cavalieri. Thinkstock Photos

Museum of Art of Pisa Cathedral (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo)

Located in the premises of the former monastery of the Capuchin monks, the museum preserves the history of the monuments of the Square of Miracles. Here are outstanding works by such masters as Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, Tino da Camaino, as well as the Treasure of the Cathedral, wood inlays, chant decorated with miniatures, church utensils and other exhibits. There is a museum next to the leaning tower.

Museum of Ancient Ships (Museo delle navi antiche)

This is an archaeological museum in the process of its formation. In December 1998, during the construction of a railway junction, the remains of ancient ships, as well as the city port, were discovered, which were preserved in excellent condition. Soon they were put on public display, and in addition to the exhibits already presented in the showcases, everyone can follow the progress of the restoration work.

Museum exhibit. Photo iltirreno.gelocal.it

The museum is open to visitors every Friday and Saturday from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 14.30 to 15.30. Groups can book visits to the museum on other days. You can get to the museum on foot from the Square of Miracles.

Embankments of the river Arno (Lungarni)

Pisa is also famous for its picturesque waterfronts. It is a meeting place for both local youth and tourists. The banks of the Arno River are decorated with numerous palaces, bridges, towers and churches, the most famous of which are the Medici Palace, the Toscanelli Palace, the Church of St. Matthew. There are also numerous restaurants and bars here. Every year on June 16, on the day of the patron saint of the city - St. Ranieri, the banks of the Arno River, as well as all the buildings located on the embankments, are decorated with numerous lights, the play of which leaves an unforgettable impression.

Embankment of the Arno River. Thinkstock Photos

Church of St. Catherine (Chiesa di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria)

Built in the second half of the 13th century for the Dominicans, the church has a beautiful facade of white and gray marble, with a gothic-style cloister and a large central round window. The interior of the church was rebuilt in the second half of the 17th century after a fire that damaged it, and contains frescoes, paintings and sculptures by famous masters of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The Church of St. Catherine is located on the Square of Martyrs for Freedom.

Church of St. Catherine. Photo it.wikipedia.org

Church of Santa Maria della Spina

This small Gothic-style church got its name (spina - thorn) because, according to legend, it was here that from 1333 until the 19th century one of the thorns from the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ was kept, until the relic was transferred to the church of St. Chiara. Compared to the rich exterior, the interior of the church seems quite modest. However, masterpieces of Gothic sculpture such as the Madonna della Rosa (Andrea and Nino Pisano) can be seen here, as well as the treasury, created in 1534 by Stagio Stagi, in which the holy relic was kept.

Church of Santa Maria della Spina. Thinkstock Photos

The church is located on the Arno embankment, not far from the Solferino bridge, and is open to the public all days of Monday.

Church of St. Paul at the cliff (Chiesa di San Paolo a ripa d "Arno)

Address: P.zza San Paolo a ripa d "Arno, 21

This church, located along the Quai de Arno, in a southerly direction, was probably built in the ninth century, but was consecrated by Eugene III only in 1148.

The architecture of the church is impressive: it is easy to recognize the style that characterizes many of the facades of the church buildings of Pisa - "blind" passages with lancet arches, characteristic geometric elements, three gates and the upper part of the facade, designed in the style of the Cathedral of Pisa.

It is likely that earlier the church even more resembled the vaults of the Duomo of Pisa, given that the building underwent several facade reconstructions after the Second World War.

Church of San Paolo a ripa d'Arno. Photo by Thinkstock

Borgo Stretto

This is the most famous area in Pisa. It is located next to the medieval vaults of the Lungarno promenade. Here you can admire the other two leaning towers of Pisa: the one that belongs to the church of San Nicola (2.5 degrees of inclination) and that of the church of San Michele Scalzi (5 degrees of inclination). Among the churches in this area, it is worth visiting the Romanesque architectural gem, San Michele in Borgo.

Church of San Michele in Borgo

Address: Borgo Stretto, 10

The church and adjacent monastery, which belonged to the order of Benedictine monks, were built around 1016 and rebuilt several times after the bombings of World War II.

The facade of the church is in the traditional Romanesque style of Pisa with Gothic influences: the lower part dates back to the thirteenth century, while the upper loggias were created starting from the fourteenth century.

The monumental three-nave interior preserves the crucifix by Nino Pisano (XIV century), paintings by Matteo Rosselli ( Immaculate Conception), Baccio Lomi (Madonna and Child with Saints), Aurelio Lomi (Virtue), Giuseppe Melani (Nativity) and remains of frescoes from the thirteenth and eighteenth centuries.

Fragments of the pulpit, attributed to the master Andrea Pisano, are kept in the National Museum of San Matteo.

Church of San Michele in Borgo. Thinkstock Photos

Basilica of Saint Peter

Address: San Piero a Grado

St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most important churches in all of Pisa. The basilica was proclaimed. The church is a unique example of ecclesiastical architecture characteristic of Pisa, preceding the construction of the Pisa Cathedral. The basilica was built near the disappeared river port called Grado, where, according to legend, Saint Peter came down to earth in 44.

Excavations unearthed the foundations of an early Christian church built on the ruins of Roman civil buildings, later replaced by a larger church in the 8th-9th century. The current building, which was built in the tenth century and modified at the end of the eleventh, has a structure with three naves with the unusual presence of two apses, of which the western one was built, perhaps after the destruction during the flood of the facade and the entrance door on the north side.

The church is lined with unique ceramic fragments (copies; the originals are in the National Museum of San Matteo) from the Islamic world, Mallorca and Sicily, laid out in complex geometric shapes (X-XII centuries).

The imposing 12th-century bell tower was destroyed on July 22, 1944 by the soldiers of the retreating Wehrmacht, and then only its foundation was restored. Inside the basilica there are three bells taken from the ruins of the bell tower; The bell tower is currently under reconstruction.

Also inside you can see the place where St. Peter preached for the first time.

St. Peter's Basilica. Thinkstock Photos

On the walls of the nave you can see a huge cycle of frescoes, recently restored, commissioned by the Gaetani family for the anniversary of Pope Boniface VIII (Benedetto Caetani).

It also houses ancient portraits of popes ranging from St. Peter to John XVII (1003): this series of portraits is today unique after a catastrophic fire in 1823 that almost completely destroyed St. Paul's Basilica Outside the Walls in Rome, where the famous series of popes was located.

Address: Via Luca Ghini, 13

Visiting: Mon-Fri from 8.30 to 17.30; Saturday 8.30-13.

Tickets: 2.50 euros full; 1.5 euro concession

Botanical Garden University of Pisa. Photo: Thinkstock

The Botanical Garden of the University of Pisa is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. It arose under the name Giardino dell "Arzinale in 1544, thanks to the efforts of Luca Gini and the finances of Duke Cosimo I de Medici. The botanical garden competes with the botanical garden for the title of the oldest in the world. The garden changed its location several times until 1591, when it finally settled The Botanical Garden of Pisa houses more than 550 species of rare plants from all over the world.

Royal Palace and National Museum

The Royal Palace was built in 1583 by Bernardo Buontalenti for Francesco I de' Medici near the church and monastery of Saint Matthew.

Currently, the National Museum is located here, which stores numerous evidence of noble Tuscan families living in the palace: works by artists of the 4th century, sculptures of the 13th-15th centuries, furniture, tapestries, ancient weapons, a large collection of medieval ceramics.

National Museum of the Royal Palace. Thinkstock Photos

The National Museum is located on the embankment of the Arno River, open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 14.30, on Saturday - from 9.00 to 13.30. The cost of a full ticket is 6.50 euros, a reduced ticket is 1.50.

What to try in Pisa

Everyone knows that it is one of the most excellent on the planet, combining the seemingly incompatible - health benefits and unsurpassed taste. Going to the city of Pisa, you can fully enjoy this great tradition of the Tuscans - to eat tasty and plentiful.

Cheeses and meats are the main products of this area. One of the region's most notable cheeses is Pecorino del Parco di Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli, a semi-hard cheese with a sweet taste. Another delicious cheese delicacy is Pecorino Pisano, available in both "young" and aged versions.

Among the sausages, the most famous are the spicy Mallegato Pisano salami and the cured Pisan pork shoulder.

First, you should try the most popular dishes in Pisa - Pisan soup, white bean soup of San Michele or frog soup. For those who do not inspire much confidence in frog legs, the menu of local restaurants has a delicious soup of 13 types of seafood, cacciucco.

Meat lovers probably know that in Pisa, as in other cities, they make excellent grilled or charcoal-grilled IGP beef - simple and incredibly tasty! You can also try the traditional Tuscan dish, "trippa" - stuffed veal stomach with vegetables.

For dessert, you will be offered a cake with pine nuts "torta coi bischeri", "castagnaccio" cakes, again with pine nuts and walnuts, or the famous "Ricciarelli" macaroons.

Pisa Restaurants

Here is a list of some restaurants and taverns famous and very popular in Pisa where you can enjoy a wonderful lunch or a hearty dinner.

Trattoria Il Campano

Address: Via D. Cavalca, 19

The ideal place to enjoy typical dishes of the Tuscan tradition. The establishment is located in the historical center of Pisa.

Ristorante Squisitia

Address: Via Filippo Mazzei, 2

Fresh ingredients, vegetarian options, gluten free and children are the key words that characterize the menu of this restaurant located on San Biagio street.

Osteria dei Cavalieri

Address: Via San Frediano, 16

This is a restaurant that offers the best Tuscan cuisine in an original and creative way.

Bar Settimelli

Address: Borgo stretto, 34

This bar is one of the most famous bars in Pisa, opened in the thirties and is still a gathering place for locals and tourists.

La Vecchia Cascina

Address: S. Biagio

On San Biagio Street, in an old Tuscan farmhouse, there is a restaurant that offers excellent pizza and Tuscan cuisine.

Osteria I miei Sapori

Address: Via della Faggiola 20

This restaurant specializes in typical Tuscan recipes and is located in the historic center of Pisa.

Holidays Pisa

In Pisa, ancient traditions are sacredly honored by arranging folk and historical holidays, some of which are already more than 6 centuries old.

The most important holiday in Pisa is considered day of the patron saint of San Ranieri, which is also called Luminara. The holiday is celebrated on June 17th. On the evening before the day of the patron saint, San Ranieri, candles are lit on the facades of monuments, houses and cathedrals, along the Arno and in the squares, and, of course, candles are placed on Pisa's main landmark, the leaning tower. The spectacle, I must say, is truly extraordinary. The next day, the Arno hosts the historic boat races, the San Ranieri Regatta, with the participation of four teams from the quarters of the city, preceded by the transfer of the altar of San Ranieri on the galleon of the ancient maritime republic of Pisa. A parade in historical costumes to medieval music passes through the streets of Pisa. A festive fair is open all day long along the Lungarni embankments.

Saint Ranieri's Day. Photo: flickr

Also in June, another important historical holiday is held in Pisa, which is called "Gioco del Ponte". The holiday of "playing on the bridge" originated in Pisa back in the Middle Ages, when the Pisan knights, tired of military campaigns, "had fun" with battles on weighty clubs called "Mazza Scudo". The "game" took place with the use of real tools and was not without injuries to the participants, so in the 19th century it was officially banned. The ancient game was revived in the 20th century as a historical reenactment, where dangerous battles were replaced by wagon pulling and complemented by a costumed historical procession of participants along the Ponte di Mezzo bridge.

Joko del Ponte. Photo: Thinkstock

On the 6th of August, Pisa celebrates San Sisto day: folklore shows and celebrations are held in the church dedicated to the saint.

Another breathtaking sight is Historical Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics(which takes place every four years, alternately in one of the four ancient maritime republics of Pisa, Amalfi, Genoa and Venice).

Pisa is a small town located near the Ligurian Sea. In the past, a port, but now just very beautiful tourist centre, known throughout the world for its "Leaning Tower". But not only this attraction is famous for Pisa. Many unique places and ancient monuments of Italian architecture attract tourists from all over the world.

What to see in Pisa on your own?

Beautiful places and main attractions: photos with descriptions in Russian.

Monumental Cemetery (Campo Santo)

Laid down in 1278. The outer wall is formed by 43 blind arches. Below them are tombs decorated with marble. Some of the tombs are located on the central lawn. And today, famous people and clergymen are buried at Campo Santo.

There are three chapels on the territory - the Ammanati Chapel, Del Pozzo and the Aulla Chapel. The latter contains a lamp, Galileo Galilei used it for his experiments. In addition to burials, you can see sarcophagi and admire Roman sculptures. And also to study the preserved frescoes of famous Italian masters.

Piazza Cavalieri

Pisa's oldest square. It is located near the Square of Miracles and is surrounded by palaces and churches. A cozy place where you can relax from the hustle and bustle and feel the medieval atmosphere. In the old days, the city forum, now a cultural center and a venue for holidays.

The Palace of the Order of Knights (Palazzo della Carovana) is located on the square, the facade is painted with zodiac signs using the sgraffito technique. In honor of the founder of the order, Cosimo de' Medici, there is a statue in front of the palace. Now the building houses the Higher Normal School.

pisa baptistery

The Pisa Baptistery is considered the largest in Italy. The height is 55 meters, the diameter is more than 100 m. The three-tier structure made of marble is decorated with stone carvings, graceful arches, faces of saints. The baptistery was built over two centuries, which led to a mixture of Gothic and Romanesque styles of architecture. The interior space is known for its unique acoustic properties.

The temple is famous for its 13th century hexagonal pulpit and font. Galileo Galilei was baptized here. No less interesting are the frescoes on the themes of the Old Testament and scenes from the life of Christ.

Botanical Garden of Pisa

The Botanical Garden of Pisa is considered the oldest on the planet. It occupies 3 hectares of area. Walking along the shady paths of the garden, you can admire 550 species of plants. Various plantings of woody, medicinal, marsh, Mediterranean plant species. Not a small place is occupied by an arboretum with stunning cedars and magnolias. There is a collection of African cacti, as well as orchids, camellias and other flowers. An interesting selection of plants "Flora of the Pharaohs" - they were used in Ancient Egypt like food, medicines and cosmetics.

Square of Miracles

Piazza de Miracoli main square cities. She is the most unique and original. Three snow-white marble buildings create a harmonious ensemble. A characteristic feature is the location of religious buildings on large area, not squeezed between other structures, and the absence of a solid stone pavement between them - the whole space is filled with green lawns, which creates an amazing combination.

The main attractions of Pisa are concentrated on it. It is a cultural monument of world importance, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1987.

Here dei is the famous Cathedral (Duomo), built at the beginning of the XII century.
Everyone associates the city of Pisa with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the construction of which lasted from 1173 until the middle of the 14th century.

Another decoration of the square is the Pisa Baptistery, reconstructed in 1278.

Cathedral (Duomo)

Located in the heart of Miracles Square (Cathedral Square). Construction began in 1063 under the direction of Bishop Busqueto. Dedicated in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It was originally planned in the form of a Greek cross with five naves. After the changes were made, three naves remained and the temple took the form of a Roman cross. The temple was built in a mixture of different styles - Romanesque, Moorish, Byzantine, which gives it a unique appearance.
The consecration of the cathedral took place in 1118 by the Pope himself. At the end of the 16th century, there was a fire in the cathedral, which destroyed almost all works of art. Only a mosaic from the beginning of the 14th century depicting Christ has survived to this day.

The facade is decorated with columns supporting arches, statues, stone carvings, which give it airiness and lightness.

The interior of the cathedral is characterized by multicolored masonry, imitating the Byzantine style. The ceilings and vaults are richly decorated with gilding, frescoes, stucco and carvings.

• Address: Piazza Duomo, Pisa, Italy.
• Working hours:
  - October: from 10 to 19.
  - November and February: from 10 to 17. From December 25 to January 7 - from 9 to 18.
  - March: from 9 to 18 (until March 13),
  – from March 21 to September: from 10 to 20.
• Entry closes 30 minutes before closing.
• Liturgies: daily 8 - 9:30.
• Entry fee: € 2.00.
• From November 1 to March 1 - free of charge.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The world-famous symbol of both the city of Pisa and all of Italy. It is the current bell tower of the Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta). Construction began in 1173. There is no specific information about the architect in historical sources. Construction was repeatedly suspended and resumed.

The tower acquired its unusual sloping appearance due to an error in the calculations of this unknown designer. On sandy soils, it shrunk to one side already at the stage of building the first floor. Further attempts to complete the tower were unsuccessful. Only in the 19th century was the upper tier completed with almost no slope.

After the construction was completed, a lot of money and time was spent on strengthening the bell tower. Thanks to excavation work carried out in 1996 and the installation of cables inside the tower structure, it was possible to suspend the increase in the angle of inclination.

It is also famous for the fact that the medieval scientist Galileo Galilei, a native of Pisa, conducted his experiments on gravity in this bell tower.

• Address: Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Italy.
• Opening hours: daily - from 8.30 to 20.30, from June 14 to September 15 even night visits are allowed (from 20.30 to 23.00).
• Entry fee: €18.

University of Pisa

The founding year of the university is considered to be 1343, when the bull of the Pope gave it the right to public education and recognition of the qualifications of graduates. not many educational establishments at that time had such a status.

Of the subjects at that time, theology, civil and canon law, and medicine were taught. The university was then called the Studium. The university was repeatedly closed and reopened again. In 1544, the Botanical Garden was founded under him, which is still functioning.

In the 15th century, a new building for the university was built on the territory of the ancient square, to the gates of which a cherub was adorned. Since then, it has become a symbol of the University of Pisa.
Galileo Galilei studied and then taught at the university, was a professor of mathematics from 1582 to 1592.

Currently, students are taught at 11 faculties. There are 5 museums on its territory. In the medical museum there is an anatomical exposition of something like the St. Petersburg Kunstkamera.

• Address: Lungarno Pacinotti, 43 - 56126 Pisa,

Church of Santa Maria della Spina

This is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture. Erected in 1230, it was called Santa Maria di Pantenovo. In 1333, she acquired a sacred relic - a thorn from the crown of thorns placed on the head of Jesus. After that, they began to call her "Spin" (thorn).

The church was dismantled in the second half of the 19th century and moved to a new location, as a result of which it was slightly modified. Now it stands at the very edge of the Arno embankment, next to the bridge.

The facing of the temple used white, pink and gray marble, alternating with stripes. On the facade, the entrance openings are surrounded by semicircular arches. Above them rise triangular pediments with rose windows. And in the middle is a chapel with the figure of the Virgin Mary with the Child surrounded by angels. The right side is decorated with a large number of columns, statues, amazing carvings, and medallions.

The interior of the church consists of a single hall, the ceiling of which was painted in the 19th century during restoration. It is decorated with a sculpture of Our Lady of the Rose, which retains traces of the original painting of the mid-14th century. In the niches are statues of the holy apostles.

• Address: Lungarno Gambacorti, 56125 Pisa PI. Opening hours: every day except Monday.

Church of San Ferdiano

The first written evidence of the temple dates back to 1061. The Buzzaccherini-Sismondi family was considered the patrons of the church, dedicating it to the Great Martyr Martin. The church was built three-nave, austere.

The facade of the church is strict and unpretentious, made in the ancient Roman style. Rectangular window and door openings are decorated with columns with flat arches without any frills and special decorations. High above the entrance, in the central nave, there is a large window with arched openings. On either side of it are diamond-shaped windows.

The interior of the temple, despite the fire of the end of the 17th century, has been preserved quite well. The huge painted cross attracts attention. The vaults of the central nave are decorated with frescoes. Numerous marble columns supporting the vaults of the naves are decorated with carved capitals.

The nearby buildings house the offices of various public organizations related to the Catholic Church.

• Address: Piazza San Ferdiano, 1−3 56126 Pisa PI, Italy

National Museum of San Matteo

The museum is located on the right-bank part of the city, on the embankment of the Arno River. The museum building dates back to the 11th century. It originally housed a monastery. In the XIII century, reconstruction was carried out with an increase in the area of ​​​​its buildings.

The expositions of the museum contain magnificent collections of historical, cultural values ​​and archaeological finds. For a long time, everything valuable and beautiful that was in collapsing or closing temples was collected in the museum.

The exhibits of the museum belong to the XII-XVII centuries, while the greatest artistic interest is represented by works of art dating back to the XIII-XV centuries. Among them are a collection of painted crosses, a Bible of 1168 with illustrations, various sculptures by prominent masters, and unique paintings by artists of the Tuscan school.

The building complex itself is also interesting. National Museum. It contains a courtyard surrounded by a gallery with columns and arches, which was built in the 15th century.

• Address: Piazza S. Matteo In Soarta, 1, 56126, Pisa PI, Italy
• Opening hours: Monday - Friday - from 9.00 to 14.30, Saturday - from 9.00 to 13.30.
• The cost of visiting: full - 6.50 euros, preferential - 1.5 euros.

Basilica of San Piero Grado

It is one of the oldest Christian churches in Italy. It is located in the quarter of the same name near the city. There is a legend that in this place in 44 AD. Saint Peter set foot on Italian soil and celebrated his first mass.

Excavations have shown that the basilica stands on the site of an ancient Roman sanctuary and an early Christian temple. The building that has survived to this day dates back to the 10th-11th century. On the plan it has a cruciform shape with a nave in the middle and borders on the sides. There are three apses on the south side.

The external appearance of the basilica, sustained in the Romanesque style, is strict and majestic in its loneliness and significance. The outer walls are made of rough yellowish stone. The facade of the basilica is decorated with pilasters, arches and bowls with some Islamic touch.

The interior decoration is distinguished by a large number of ancient frescoes dating back to the 14th century. Above the alleged place of the first prayer of St. Paul on the land of Italy in the 15th century, a ciborium was erected. The main altar is decorated with a large wooden crucifix.

• Address: Via Vecchia Marina 5, San Piero a Grado - Pisa, Italia.
• Opening hours: daily from 8.00 to 19.00
• Admission fee: Free entry.

Church of San Sisto

It is located in the historical center of the city, not far from the Square of Miracles. The first mention of it appeared in the XI century. At that time, important notarial acts were performed in the temple, documents on them were kept.

The church is dedicated to Saint Sixtus, who was the patron saint of the city. After the horrendous defeat in the naval battle of Mylor on the day of St. Sixtus, the townspeople no longer honored the saint.

The appearance of the temple is designed in the Romanesque style, strict, without unnecessary decorations, made of grayish-sand-colored stone. The classic three-nave plan was used. On the facade, each nave has its own portal, decorated with an arch. The naves are divided by pilasters. In the central one above the entrance there is an arched window with a cross above it.

The interior of the church is modest, the side chapels are separated from the central aisle by ancient Roman columns with pilasters. A copy of the 14th-century painting "The Virgin and Child", a medieval ship's steering wheel, and a tombstone of an Arab emir are kept here.

• Address: Piazza Buonamici, Pisa
• Opening hours: 8.00-17.00

Palazzo della Carovana

It is an undoubted decoration of the Knights' Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri). The palace was built for the knights of the Order of St. Stephen by order of the Duke of Tuscany, who founded this order. Initially, the palace was called, like the square, Palazzo della Caballero (Palace of the Knights). The order was originally intended to fight the Saracens. In the future, his knights began to escort caravans with goods, and future knights were trained in this palace. And so the name stuck with him.

Built in 1662 - 1664. The decoration of the facade gives this palazzo an originality. Its main decoration is a gable staircase with a balustrade. The entire facade is painted with symbolic signs of the zodiac and various allegories of chivalry. In the niches above the windows there are busts of the Tuscan dukes, who were also masters of the order.

Particularly interesting in the interior of the palace is a stained-glass window depicting a knight's cross on the roof above the upper flight of the main staircase. Currently, the building houses the University of the Higher Normal School.

• Address: Piazza dei Cavalieri.

Scotto's Garden (Giardino di Scotto; Cittadella Nuova)

The garden is located on the south bank of the Arno River, on the site of the former new Cittadella Nuova, a fortress that was located on the Fibonacci embankment between the Victoria and Fortezza bridges.

In this part of the city in the 13th century, artisans engaged in the production of ceramics lived. For its manufacture, as well as for the smelting of bells, some plants specially planted in this area were used.

Initially, the garden was founded in the middle of the XIV century during the first Florentine conquest. Subsequently, the citadel was destroyed during the uprising, the park was badly damaged. With the re-emergence of Florentine power, the pacification of resistance, it lost its defensive purpose and was dismantled.

In 1178, it was purchased by the merchant Scotto, after whom the park is named, and began the construction of a palace surrounded by a large garden. The construction and formation of the park was entrusted to the architect Giovanni Caluri.

At present, it hosts various entertainment events.

• Address: Lungarno Leonardo Fibonacci, 56125 Pisa
• Opening hours: daily.

Museum of Ancient Ships (Museo delle navi antiche)

During repairs in 1998 at the San Rossore station, builders discovered 30 ancient ships. Their age ranges from the 2nd century BC. until the 7th century AD In this place in ancient times there was a port.

Almost half of the discovered ships and boats were in perfect condition due to being in the ground without oxygen. Fishing nets and rigging, things belonging to sailors, various amphoras, jewelry, anchors, and working tools were found in the holds. Found ships belong to different areas of the Mediterranean.

The museum was given the building of the ancient Arsenal, built by the Duke of Tuscany Casimo I to store and repair his fleet.

Now the museum has two halls, which exhibit the best preserved ships. The rest of the finds are still under restoration. The premises of the museum are being completed to replenish the exposition.

• Address: Via Ranussio Bianchi Bandinelli, Pisa
• Opening hours: Friday - Sunday 10.00-11.00, 14.30-16.30.
• Entrance fee: adult - 6 euros, children under 6 years old - free of charge.

Church of San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno (Chiesa San Paolo a Ripa d "Arno)

St. Paul's Church bears a strong resemblance to Cathedral Duomo. Before its construction, it was the main cathedral of the city. It is located on the banks of the Arno River, as the name implies.

The first information about it dates back to the beginning of the X century. It has a characteristic appearance for the Romano-Pisan style, which has the features of both Romanesque buildings and Arabic features. From 1565 to 1798 the church was administered by the Order of Saint Stephen. After its abolition, it became a parish church.

The facade is decorated with three portals with solid arches above them and stone carvings. In the upper three tiers there are galleries with rows of columns and arches. In plan it looks like a cross. The central nave is separated from the side limits by rows of marble columns decorated with carvings. In the center it is crowned with a dome.

The interior is richly decorated with frescoes by ancient masters depicting the Madonna and Child, and a medieval Crucifix is ​​kept. But the most unusual attraction of the church is the ancient Roman sarcophagus, which was used as a tomb.

• Address: Pizza, San Paolo a Ripa d "Arno, 21

Guelph Citadel (Torre Guelfa)

This is one of the very interesting sights of Pisa. Guelphs in the Middle Ages were called participants in the movement to reduce the influence of the Holy Roman Emperor in Italy and strengthen the power of the Vatican.

The citadel was built in the middle of the XIII century. It is located in the western part of the embankment of the Arno River and was an integral part of the city defensive wall, which performed a protective function against attacks from the sea.

From the first half of the 15th century, it housed the garrison of the city of Pisa. The citadel is next to the bridge. During the reign of the Medici, an arsenal was built nearby, which now houses a museum. Over time, the sea left, the river became shallow and sea ​​vessels could no longer approach the city.

During the Second World War, during the bombing, it was badly damaged. The restoration was carried out in 1956, giving it the most original appearance.

• Address: Embankment of the Arno River.

Church of Santo Sepolcro

The exact date of construction of this church is unknown, but it is assumed that the time of its construction in the first quarter of the XII century. It was built originally by order of the Hospitallers. Its name means “Church of the Holy Sepulcher” and it was intended to store relics brought from the Holy Land by Bishop Dagobert after participating in the first crusade, when in 1099 the crusader knights captured Jerusalem. With its multifaceted shape, it evokes associations with the real Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount.

The church has an octagonal shape, on each side there are two arched windows, and an octagonal dome rises in the center of the roof. Outwardly, it resembles a defensive tower - the influence of the knights-customers affected.

After the liquidation of the Order of the Hospitallers, the Knights of Malta owned the church of Santo Sepolcro. After the abolition of this Order in 1817, it began to gradually collapse. During the restoration in 1849, the temple was returned to its original appearance of the Middle Ages. It houses the tomb of Maria Mancini, a 15th-century fresco depicting the Madonna and Child.

• Address: piazza S. Sepolcro, 56125 Pisa PI.

Museum of the Ospedale Nuovo di Santo Spirito

Among the bright, bright sights of Piazza del Duomo, this building causes some bewilderment among visitors. A long, gloomy, squat building, without any special decorations, in sharp contrast with the Gothic masterpieces located nearby.

Initially, it was intended not for the ascension of the spirit, but for the mortal body. Since 1257, it has been a hospital for the poor, wandering pilgrims, abandoned children.

During the reign of the Medici, the hospital was remodeled in accordance with the Florentine style of that time, cutting through rectangular windows and finishing them with sandstone.

Currently, there is a museum of sinopia - a rough drawing of a fresco, which seems to be from its inside. After the bombing in 1943, many frescoes were damaged in Campo Santo. They were removed for restoration, and under them were these synopia, made using the same technologies as the original ones.

• Address: Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Italy.
• Opening hours: in winter - 9.30 - 16.30, in summer - 8.00 - 20.00.
• Cost: 6 euros.

Museum "Opera del Duomo" (Museo dell "Opera Duomo)

Located next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The construction of the building dates back to the 12th century, commissioned by the Archbishop of Pisa for the College of Priests. In the 17th century, the premises were transferred to equip the seminary, then the Academy of Fine Arts was located, and even later the convent settled.

And only in 1986 a museum was founded here, which stores the most valuable items and parts of interiors and decorative finishes. architectural monuments located on the Square of Miracles.
The museum houses the works of the outstanding sculptors Tino da Camaino and Giovani Pisano. Among the most interesting exhibits in it are the original doors of the 15th century by the architect Bonanno Pisano with relief images of scenes from the life of Christ.

Also among the exhibits, the sculpture "Madonna and Child" by Giovanni Pisano deserves special attention. Previously, it was located above the Bonanno portal.

• Address: Piazza del Duomo, 23, 56126 PI, Italy
• Opening hours: 8.30 - 17.30
• Admission fee: 10 euros for viewing all the monuments.

Palazzo del Orologio (Palazzo del Orologio; Palazzo della Gherardesca)

It is often referred to as the Clock Palace. Located on Piazza Cavalieri on the north side next to the Palazzo della Carovana.

On the left side of the building, in which the outlines of the ancient tower are still visible, according to legend, at the end of the 13th century, Count Gherardesca and his relatives were starved to death.

By the beginning of the 17th century, the building acquired a modern look. The architect Giorgio Vasari connected the Ugolino tower with the neighboring palace, standing at an angle to it, with a graceful arch. The result is an original palace in the form of a book.

Like all buildings on this square, the Order of St. Stephen owned the palace. It housed a hospital for the old knights. At the end of the 17th century, a clock and a small bell tower on the roof appeared on the middle part of the palace.

For some time at the beginning of the 20th century, the building was owned by a descendant of Count Gherardesca. At present, the Higher Normal School has placed its library in it.

• Address: Piazza dei Cavalieri.

Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri

Another ancient attraction is the Piazza dei Cavalieri. Bala was built at the end of the 16th century. The Duke of Tuscany, Casimo I Medici, being the master of the Order of St. Stephen, ordered the reconstruction of the square and all the buildings on it were built for this Order.

The church building was built on the site of an older Romanesque building. The facade is decorated with a red and white Maltese cross. Above the portal is the coat of arms of the Medici, surrounded by balls and with the same Maltese cross. Externally, the church is designed in the Renaissance style.

The interior of the church is very interesting and original. The vaults are decorated with frescoes, images of the Maltese cross in relief medallions, sayings from the Holy Scriptures. The walls are decorated with Turkish banners and ship lanterns obtained in naval battles of the 16th-18th centuries. The main altar is made of multicolored marble with gilded sculptures.

• Address: Piazza dei Cavalieri.
• Opening hours: daily.
• Admission fee: free.

Medici Palace (Palazzo dei Medici)

It is located a few hundred meters southeast of Duomo Square. Construction began in the first quarter of the 13th century on the foundations of a building from the 11th century.

After the conquest of Pisa by Florence, the palace became the property of the Medici family. In this palace in 1494, the King of France, Charles VIII, was a guest.

Since the end of the 19th century, the restoration of the palace was carried out by order of the daughter of Vittorio Emmanuel II. As a result, it acquired a neo-Gothic appearance with arched windows and an attached turret with crenellated extremities. The outer walls are clad in rough, unworked stone, giving it a stern, warlike appearance. One of the corners of the building is decorated with the Medici family coat of arms.

The inner courtyard is surrounded by a gallery decorated with graceful columns. The palace itself has three floors. Living rooms were located on the upper floor, magnificently decorated halls for holidays and celebrations were located on the lower floors. The palace had its own chapel, richly painted with frescoes. Now the palace houses the prefecture.

• Address: Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini, 7, 56127 Pisa PI, Italy

Blue Palace Art Museum (Palazzo Blu)

Located in the historic center of the city on the embankment of the Arno River. The palace is not characterized by architectural delights. The unusual dark blue coloring, which was discovered during the restoration of the building, gives it a special noteworthiness and originality.

This color is not typical for Italian architecture. After the reconstruction of the palace, in the 18th century it was sold to the head of the Greek-Russian College. Since the cultural cooperation between Italy and Russia in that period was greatly developed, the Blue Palace was decorated in the style of St. Petersburg palaces and painted in a dark blue color, characteristic of St. Petersburg architecture.

It currently hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events in Pisa. The main advantage of the Blue Palace is its interiors, which have preserved the original interiors and furnishings.

• Address: Lungarno Gambacorti 9.
• Opening hours: 10.00-15.00.
• Admission fee: free.

Piazza delle Vettovaglie

The square was formed in the middle of the 16th century during the reign of the Medici dukes. They built a lot of new buildings in the city or reconstructed old ones.

Here was a very lively quarter, in which the palaces of the famous Visconti and Erisi families coexisted with merchants' shops and boarding houses.

The square has a quadrangular shape, surrounded by renaissance galleries with arcades and columns topped with capitals. Grayish sandstone was used in the construction of the buildings.

It was adapted to the market, which sold a large number of products. To maintain cleanliness and hygiene, a fountain was built, fed from an aqueduct.
Shops were located on the first floors, while the upper floors were occupied by residential premises for rent.

And in modern conditions the area remains shopping mall city, it has many shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants.

• Address: Piazza delle Vettovaglie, 38, 56126 Pisa.

Palazzo al Borgo di Corliano

In a cozy valley between the cities of Lucca and Pisa, there is a magnificent villa. Nearby stands a small cozy town of San Giuliano Terme.

It was built for one of the wealthy merchants of Pisa as a summer residence. Next to the villa there are outbuildings dating back to the 17th century and of historical value. The facade is decorated with a gable porch with a niche in the center. The portal is surrounded by pilasters, with three arched windows on each side. In the center of the building rises a dome on a drum, in which arches are cut. The outer walls are painted with graffiti with various symbols and allegories.

The vaults of the central hall and the vestibule are painted with amazing frescoes of the 18th century depicting the signs of the zodiac, castles, and the villa itself. A large park spread over several hectares, which received its present appearance in the 19th century.

Church of St. Nicholas (Chiesa di San Nicola)

A few hundred meters south of Piazza Duomo is the church of St. Nicholas. The first mention of it is found in the documents of the XI century. It is made in the Romano-Pisan style. For the construction, stone from different quarries was used, so the walls have a non-uniform color.

The facade was built in the 12th century. It is decorated with an entrance portal framed by pilasters, arched windows, and mosaics. At the top above the portal is a round rose window, typical of the Gothic style. During the reconstruction carried out in the 17th century, the Chapel of the Sacrament and two side altars were built.

To the left of the entrance is an amazing bell tower, not inferior in beauty to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. And she also has a slight bias. The octagonal tower is decorated with pilasters connected by arched arches. At the top is a hexagonal belfry with arched windows. A bell hangs from each window. It ends with a cone-shaped dome. At the bottom, the belfry is surrounded by an arched gallery, which makes the bell tower look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The temple is decorated with creations of Baroque masters; statues of the XIV-XV centuries by Giovani and Nino Pisani are kept here.

• Address: Via Santa Maria, 2, 56126 Pisa PI
• Opening hours: from 9.00 to 18.00
• Admission fee: free

Palace of Pretorio (Palazzo Pretorio)

Near the Ponte di Mezzo bridge on the Galileo embankment is the Praetorian Palace. It was built in the Middle Ages, for some time it was the residence of the governor, the Academy of Arts and even a prison.

It was built, as was often the case in those days, by merging two towers. In order to give greater harmony to the association, it was decided in 1785 to reconstruct the building. The facade was completely rebuilt, decorated with marble tiles and friezes, and a tower clock was installed.

Palazzo Pretorio has been destroyed many times in its history. In 1846, as a result of an earthquake and during the bombing of the Second world war. In the fifties, during the restoration, it was strengthened with reinforced concrete structures, the portico was expanded along the facade, and the height of the tower itself was increased. Currently, the Palace houses the city library.

• Address: Lungarno Galileo Galilei, 43, Pisa, 56125, Italy.

Church of Sant Antonio (Chiesa di Sant "Antonio Abate)

Built in 1341 at the same time as the abbey. In 1392, a reconstruction was carried out, the results of which have not been preserved. At the beginning of the 15th century, the façade was decorated with a two-tone marble group. The façade is decorated with three semicircular arches supported by white marble pilasters. The portal is decorated with a row of pilasters holding tapering arches.

The upper tier, separated from the lower one by a strict cornice, is decorated with a relief coat of arms with monograms. The tympanum of the pediment is smooth, without decorations.

The interior of the church is ascetic, without pretentious decorations. The walls are lined with gray-white stone with horizontal stripes. The main altar, made in the form of a central and two side niches, is decorated with a gilded crucifix against the background of a lancet arched window and organ pipes. Our side ones are decorated with iconostasis.

But of particular interest to tourists is the mural on the back wall of the church, made in 1989 by Keith Haring in the graffiti style and called by him "Tuttomondo". The image size is 1000×1800 centimeters.

• Address: Piazza Sant'Antonio, Pisa, Italia.
• Opening hours: daily.
• Admission fee: free.

Quarter of San Martino

In the southeast of the city is the quiet and modest district of San Martino. It runs parallel to the Galileo Galilei promenade and Via San Martino.

The main attraction of this area is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Chiesa di Santo Sepolcro). It is notable for the fact that it contained relics brought from Jerusalem, captured during the Crusades. With its octagonal appearance, the church resembles the Jerusalem Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount.

The undoubted decoration of the quarter is the Lanfranc Palace - one of the oldest and most beautiful palazzos in the city. It is famous for the large reliefs depicting coats of arms that adorn its walls.

In the same quarter there is one of the favorite places of rest of the townspeople, the magnificent Scotto Garden or as it is also called Cittadella Nuova.

Street San Martino can be proud of a large number of beautiful palaces - Palazzo Cervoli, Palazzo Tizzoni.

In silence from the main tourist routes, you can fully enjoy the beauties and spirit of the medieval city.

San Rossore Massachucoli Natural Park

The park is spread over the territory previously occupied by swamps and backwaters on the sea coast of two provinces - Pisa and Lucca. The Arno and Serkio rivers, overflowing, gradually brought soil here from the upper reaches. Under the Dukes of Medici, land reclamation work was already carried out in these fields.

The ecosystem of this park is rich in diversity. It combines coniferous forests, free-flowing dunes, and luxurious beaches. by the most good beaches consider Marina de Vecchiano and Tirrenia. Significant wetlands are the marshes of San Rossore and Lake Massaciuccoli.

The characteristic differences of the park is the richness of the reliefs, including dunes, swamps, beaches, cultivated areas, forests. This allows numerous feathered and wild animals to freely live in this territory.

Within the territory of natural park there are three villages, whose inhabitants are engaged in traditional types of economic activity: animal husbandry, sheep breeding, collection of pine nuts, agricultural activities. The races held every year in the village of San Rossore are also famous.

Palazzo dei Lanfranchi

The name of the palace comes from the name of the aristocratic Lanfranc family, who bought and restored the house in 1539.

The palace is a striking example of the medieval architecture of Pisan - the result of the unification of several tower houses at the turn of the 13th-14th centuries into a single whole.

The façade was designed according to the wishes of the Lanfranchi family and retained some Renaissance elements. In the masonry of the building, modern white stone contrasts sharply with the old brick walls.

The entrance portal is framed by stacked columns supporting the balcony. Above it is a relief coat of arms. The windows are framed with pilasters and stacked columns.

Now the palace houses the City Museum of Graphics, which has a permanent exhibition and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions.

• Address:Lungarno Galilei, 9 - Palazzo Lanfranchi 56100 Pisa
• Opening hours: from 10.30 to 18.30
• Entry fee: 3 euros.

Palazzo Cevoli

One of the luxurious palaces that adorn the street of San Martino is the Palazzo Cevoli. Since the 18th century, it has belonged to a wealthy Pisan family, who came from the village of the same name in the Tuscan hills.

The palace building combines two towers, relatively well preserved. The facade is decorated with several columns on which the arches rest. The windows are decorated with platbands and cornices. The interiors are richly decorated with frescoes.

During the repair work, fragments of frescoes of the XIV century with images of the heads of saints were discovered.

For some time, the Danish king Federico IV lived in the Palazzo Cevoli, who was in Florence not only on a political, but also a romantic visit. In honor of this visit, inscriptions in Latin were made on the pediment.

• Address: Via San Martino, 108, Pisa, Italy.

Italian elegance, unique atmosphere, friendliness, comfort and coziness - this is what modern Pisa means!