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The name Pisa probably dates back to the Etruscans, meaning “foce”, the river mouth.

Pisa, famous for its leaning tower 56 meters high, has a long history whit its greatest splendor at the Maritime Republics period.

The city is a treasure trove of artworks whose Romanesque and Gothic churches, squares and buildings enhance the quarters along the Arno river and the old streets; There is also a wonderful natural surroundings as the Migliarino-San Rossore Park and the seaside.

The Baptistery with the pulpit by Nicola Pisano stands in front of the Duomo; on the same “Piazza dei Miracoli” are the 130 meters long Monumental Cemetery and the Cathedral, masterpiece of Pisan Romanesque, a huge building entirely covered with marble built from 1063.

Giuli Rosselmini Gualandi Palace, located on the Gambacorti river bank, near the Lombard church of Santa Cristina, known as the Blue Palace, is an important center of culture and art, temporary exhibitions of artists from all over the world; into the rooms, furnished in eighteenth-century style, you can see the major masterpieces of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio Collection, and a rich collection of twentieth-century art.

In June Pisa offers many historic revival events, as the Luminara di San Ranieri, the Palio di San Ranieri, the Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics and the Game of Bridge.

Piazza dei Miracoli

Old city life center, the buildings complex is a tourist destination of inestimable worth to the harmony of its architectural gems that deserved the definition of “miracles” by the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio.

The Square of Miracles, as it was then named, comprehend on a wide green lawn, the four snow-white masterpieces of monumental medieval art.

The complex was built near an ancient port on the banks of a river now disappeared, the Auser; for its central location, the area was chosen as the place of construction of the “Duomo”, or Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built in 1064.

In front of this stands the Baptistery, Romanesque too, begun in 1152 by Diotisalvi and finished in the fourteenth century, when Gothic elements were added.

The Camposanto, a monumental cemetery started in 1278, closes the north side of the square.

A Pisa landmark, the “Campanile” or Leaning Tower, completes the “scene”. The structure, inclined due to a soil failure, was started in 1173 and has been accomplished in the second half of the fourteenth century; inside, the spiral staircase with 294 steps leads on top, where you can admire the belfry and the beautiful landscape.

(cover photo by Giovanni Cantone)

Ponsacco, already inhabited by the Etruscans, is known abroad as the city of furniture and furnishings; the name derives from Ponte di Sacco that is presumed to be its founder.

It had strategic importance as the border between the Republics of Pisa and Florence, so that it soon became a fortified castle.

Among places of worship should be noted the archpriesthood of San Giovanni Evangelista in neoclassical style, built between 1823 and 1836, which contain the polychrome terracotta Madonna statue attributed to Benedetto da Maiano; the bell tower, built between 1862 and 1873, has a strong inclination as the head master, during works, he moved the tower outside the center of the foundation; Baptistery preserves the ancient bell, cast in 1372, on which is engraved the emblem of Ponsacco with Pisa weapon.

Other churches and oratories, full of testimonies, are represented from the Oratory of the “Madonna of the Cough”, in Piazza della Repubblica; the the IX-XI century Church of Sant’Andrea in Petriolo, and the 1400 church of St. Pierino.

Near Camugliano are the Chapel of St. Sebastian and the Church of San Frediano built in 1586 and elevated to the rectory occasion of the of Pope Pius IX visit, in addition to the beautiful medici villa-castel in renaissance style, with four corner towers around the centre.

Piazza della Repubblica

Republic Square is a place of interest for both commercial and cultural, because of monuments and historical buildings.

Among them, the Oratory of “Madonna della Tosse”, built in the eighteenth century on the site of a votive capital, including in the old garden of the Franciscan nuns convent knocked down at the end of the last century.

Inside, is preserved an image believed to be miraculous, a fine painted XV century terracotta attributed to Luca della Robbia; the sculpture portray the Madonna with Child and the little San Rocco, venerated with the title of “Our Lady of the cough”.

Among the monuments, those to the “fallen” presents a complex architectural form, with three structural blocks and two architectural; on the basement there is a statue of a dying man, and on the top of the stele a winged female figure, that holding a laurel crown with her arms raised.

The square has recently been retrained thanks to the transformation of the historic fountain in a colorful and artistic planter; here, in October is held the traditional Fair of San Costanzo.

Riparbella stands on a ridge of tuff; in contrast to neighboring countries, the urban structure of circular shape, grew longitudinally along the main road.

The historic center, built around the castle, dates back to around the year 1000 by the Gherardesca, it is embellished by alleyways and old houses, among which stands a well-preserved building of the fifteenth century in the Town Square.

Worth mentioning the Town Hall; the church of St. John the Evangelist, where every year from Christmas to February is prepared a mechanical christmas crib; the Monumental Cemetery built in the early 900 by architect Bellincioni.

Nearby, in the locality of Belora, they were found remains of an important Etruscan necropolis, some of which are exhibited in the Hermitage museum in Moscow; the area is part of the The Garden-Belora-Cecina River natural reserve with an Environmental Education Center for educational activities and excursions.

Among the events we report the traditional Wild Boar Festival (third Sunday of November), with dishes of hunting, and the Agrifiera (first Sunday and Monday of August), former cattle show now converted into a horse fair with equestrian shows.

“The Garden” wildlife farm

The wildlife farm “The Garden”, located at the border of the township near the Province of Livorno, is a state property managed by the municipal administration of Riparbella since 1976.

It covers about 600 hectares consisting mainly of Mediterranean woods with the presence of holm oak, flowering ash and hornbeam.

Today the company has an Environmental Education Center inside the building complex, also used for tourist and educational activities.

Inside the woods there are equipped nature trails, through which you can admire the variety of flora and fauna, as well as the “Hanging Garden”, with acrobatic adventure park in the trees, open from March to November, except in bad weather conditions.

According to historians, the town was built in the year 1000 around an oratory that kept an old wooden cross, hence the name of Santa Croce (Holy Cross).

Important manufacturing center of the Leather Area, its economy is based on processing of leather since the eighteenth century; his name and prestige are such as having earned the title of World Capital of Leather.

Worth a visit the Collegiate Church of St. Lawrence which houses a remarkable Christ on the cross, wooden sculpture from late thirteenth century; the Church of San Rocco, 1650, born on the ruins of an ancient chapel.

In the hilly area of ​​Cerbaie is the Protected Area of ​​Poggio Adorno, perfect for pleasant walks.

The lively cultural activity refers to Villa Pacchiani, a center of cultural activities and contemporary art exhibition, and to the Verdi Theatre, with a rich program of dramas.

Among the events, in February-March, one of the most important carnival of Tuscany, with costumes that are true artworks; in June, “Staffoli’n jazz”; between September and October in Santa Croce in Piazza; in December, the Festival of Amaretto, the typical sweet of Santa Croce.

Villa Pacchiani

The “Expressive Activities Center of Villa Pacchiani” in Santa Croce is a permanent cultural center since 1991 in which they develop initiatives, ideas and interests by: Exhibition Center for the production of 5-6 exhibitions per year; “Cabinet of Drawings and Prints” with the presence of over 2600 paper artworks by Italian and international engravers; Laboratories all the year.

Until today, have been set up many exhibitions, all designed and produced by the Expressive Activities Center, aimed at clarifying, document and record the problems of contemporary art.

At Villa Pacchiani they are currently workshops in photography, music and theater for young people. They held public events with concerts and musical groups and the School of Music Lamia organizes annual courses. About photography, of public service about materials and development techniques, the Villa has organized courses and discussion meetings about photographic image, frequently participating in national competitions.

Santa Maria a Monte was an important outpost for its medieval hilltop location long disputed between Florence, Lucca and Pisa; Today is part of of the industrial Leather District.

The historical center has a unique urban structure: the houses and buildings overlook the road that follows a spiral pattern; walking through the streets are found traces of defensive medieval system: arches, tower-houses, the clock tower, the palace of the Podesta, the Collegiate Church, which preserves valuable artworks.

Santa Maria a Monte is the house where the famous poet Carducci spent his youth; here he was born Vincenzo Galilei, composer and father of Galileo.

Nearby, you can find the Astronomical Observatory of Tavolaia, among the most important in Tuscany.

The local folklore is renewed in the celebrations in honor of the patroness, the Beata Giuntini, culminating on Easter Monday with the “processione delle paniere”, (literally: procession of baskets).

Typical product of Santa Maria a Monte is the “Tosca potato”, a variety of yellow-fleshed potato excellent when fried, which are dedicated a festival in August and the culinary event “La Piazza del Gusto”, in June.

“La Rocca” Archaeological Park

The Archaeological Park is located at the top of the village of Santa Maria a Monte.

It was inaugurated in 2013, after three decades of excavations coordinated first by the University of Pisa and then by the University of L’Acquila, and after a long recovery of the area where are archaeological remains.

The oldest evidence of life emerged from the investigation date back to the Etruscan period, starting from the fifth century BC when the top of the village was occupied by a village.

On top of the hill, on which the town was built in the Lombard period, a chapel dedicated to the Virgin were built, one of the oldest Christian buildings in Tuscany.

“The Rock” shows many examples of history that has alternated: the element of interest is the area of ​​the crypt, where you can see the outer walls of the structure of the eleventh century and the foundation of three authentic altars.

Going up, you can see what remains of the original Lombard structure (Sec. VIII) and the two baptismal fonts (created between 941 and 1200); the portion between the baptismal fonts and the crypt is the place where they were found the main traces related to the Etruscan period and the eight furnaces for bells.