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Info Pisa and Province
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The City of Pisa
"La cittá della Torre Pendente"
("The leaning tower of Pisa")
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The Province of Pisa
The heart of Tuscany ...
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Holiday Rentals in Tuscany
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D-80939 München
+49 (0) 89 123 92 998
+49 (0) 160 737 22 15
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Information: Pisa and Province |
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Menu
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To obtain a list of holiday accommodation available in this region of Tuscany please refer to the link below:
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For more information on events, folklore and festivities throughout Tuscany please refer to the link below:
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The City of Pisa
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"La cittá della Torre Pendente" ("The leaning tower of Pisa")
Pisa, standing on the Arno a few miles from its mouth, is famous among the cities of Italy for its sculpture and architecture. The cathedral, campanile (the famous leaning tower), baptistery, and camposanto make up a group unrivalled in beauty, a fitting reminder of the ancient greatness of the Pisan Republic. Pisa was a Roman colony from 2C B.C., and a naval and commercial port. In the middle ages it became a maritime republic, rivalling Genoa, Amalfi, and Venice. The most illustrious native of Pisa is Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), physicist and astronomer. The city today also has important manufactures of glass and machinery.
The Romanesque architecture of Pisa, a remarkable development of the North Italian Romanesque style, had a far-reaching effect on the neighbouring cities, spreading as far afield as Prato and Arezzo, and also into Sardinia, and leaving its imprint on the Gothic buildings that appeared later in the city. Pisan sculpture at the same time was a potent influence with its greatest exponent being Nicola Pisano (c. 1200-c. 1280). The Duomo is the most important example of the Pisan style and one of the most celebrated Romanesque buildings in Italy. It was restored in 1602-16 after a serious fire in 1595. The Duomo is located on the Piazza del Duomo which lies well N.W. of the centre and is unusual in not providing the focus of city life as in other Italian cathedral towns. The bright marble monuments (the cathedral, the leaning tower, baptistery, and camposanto) are superbly set off by the spacious green lawns between them, and enclosed to the N. by the crenellated city walls in an almost rural setting. Also known as the Piazza dei Miracoli (Piazza of wonders/miracles!) due to the wonder of physics -the famous leaning tower, which is located outside the E. end of the cathedral. It is a superb work, circular in plan and having eight stories of round arches, made up of a blind arcade, six open galleries, and a bell-chamber of smaller diameter. The tower is 54.5m high, and leans 4.5m out of the perpendicular ! A spiral staircase (294 steps) leads to the top. The "Battistero", baptistery, W. of the Duomo, is a noble circular building begun in 1152 and remodelled by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano (1260-84). The Gothic dome and the cusped arches were added in the 14C. In the middle of the impressive interior stands a beautiful octagonal Font of white marble, carved and inlaid in mosaic. The pulpit, by Nicola Pisano, is signed and dated 1260. Around the walls are displayed half figures and sculptures of saints and prophets by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. The rectangular Camposanto, or cemetery, begun in 1278 and completed in the 15C, takes the form of an enclosed cloister lit by graceful traceried windows. The marble exterior wall has handsome blind arcading and a Gothic tabernacle over one door.
The river Arno flows directly through the centre of the Pisa dividing the city in two: the historical side and the commercial side (shopping!), which indeed helps in orientating oneself around the town.
Along the "Borgo Stretto", one of the oldest and most famous avenues lined with shops and arcades, one can just feel the magic and charm of the city !
The church of "Santa Maria della Spina", also named "la spina", is a gem of Pisan Gothic architecture, named from a thorn of the Saviour's crown, the gift of a Pisan merchant.
The Ponte alla Fortezza crosses the Arno to Lungarno Galilei and the ruined Palazzo Scotto with its beautiful "Giardini Scotto" public gardens.
In need of a break? Then a visit to the oldest and most charming café in the city, "Antico Caffè dell' Ussero" is highly recommended, especially for its delicious cakes and fine pastries. Enjoy !
On the Piazza Cavalieri named from the Knights of St Stephan, an order founded in 1561 in imitation of the Knights of Malta, is their church Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri which contains banners captured from the infidel and ornaments from the galleys of the knights. To the left is the "Palazzo dei Cavalieri", with spectacular graffiti decoration. Once the seat of the knights order, it is now the seat of the
"Scuola normale superiore" an elite university college of high standing, founded by Napoleon in 1810.
Like everywhere in Tuscany the people of Pisa enjoy celebrating traditional events and festivities. In June the Festa di San Ranieri is celebrated with candle-light festivities and flamed torches along the banks of the river Arno in honour of the partron saint, the holy Ranieri. An important tradition is the regatta competition held on the river between the 4 residential quarters of Pisa.
The "Gioco del Ponte",
a sham fight between the people living on either side of the Arno, takes place on the last Sunday in June. The combatants wear 16-17C costumes, and the day ends with a procession of both parties !!
Every second weekend in the month (except August) is a large antiques and second hand market which takes place on the Ponte dei Mezzo in the "Logge dei Banchi". Enjoy browsing !
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Calci
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Small village with approximately 4,500 inhabitants, famous for its limestone. Particularly interesting is the 11C church Pieve di Calci, with its elegant facade. Well worth visiting inside for its vast number of sculptures and the Romanesque font.
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Certosa
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Just south east of Calci lies Certosa di Pisa, a charming group of Baroque buildings, with three cloisters. On first appearance it looks rather more like a large palace and inside, is largely decorated with frescoes. The "Sala del Granduca" in the guest house next to the convent buildings, was permanently reserved for the Grand Duke of Tuscany.
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Montecatini Val Di Cecina, Montegemoli
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Famous authors and writers, painters and poets such as Stendhal, Lawrence, Cassola, have all obtained their inspiration from the
enchanting and striking landscape of Tuscany.
Two of the most charming medieval villages are Montecatini Val Di Cecina and Montegemoli, with their typical medieval centres and atmosphere.
Visits to the "Palazzo Pretorio", with its mighty arches and arcade, and the church "San Biagio" (Val di Cecina), and the castle of Montegemoli
should not be missed.
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S. Miniato
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S. Miniato, famous for its many local delicacies, especially the truffel ”
San Miniato is one of the most extensive and richest truffel areas in Europe. The white truffel, from the hills behind San Miniato, is the most valuable and precious species of this delicacy and has become a trademark for the town. Agriculture and farming have long too been a tradition for the town and the basis of its culture and lifestyle.
The unique truffle from San Miniato, together with various other local produce, amass to a collection of specialities incomparable to any other. This is mainly due to the fact that in previous times, local people preferred to save their own delicacies to enjoy themselves rather than to market their produce. Famous produce includes local wines, especially Vinsanto made from the white grapes of San Colombano, and olive oil whose quality profit from the damper soils of the area.
The artichoke from San Miniato, one of the most distinguished tasting vegetables, were often used by the Medici family in their cooking. Highly regarded too is the Kentucky tobacco, imported over 200 years ago from north America, and now grown in the area and used to make cigars. The landscape can sometimes be seen to resemble that of Cuba with the attractive Romanesque styled tobacco works and barns for drying out the tobacco leaves.
The culture and tradition for fine foods in San Miniato has been passed on through generations without it having been diminished or reduced by modern processing. On the contrary, certain traditions have been further revived and rekindled. San Miniato has a history of traditionally processing pork meat and - blood, dating back to medieval times, and also flour for the local bakers.
San Miniato is a town also renowned for its produce being supplied only from this area either directly by the monastery, the medieval town centre or from more than 30 of the surrounding farming estates registered here since 938. The precious farming land and area surrounding San Miniato is as important to farmers and local people as any shrine. The discreet but warm hospitality of those who so treasure their culture and traditions can be felt and experienced in the ancient streets of the old town and across the countryside.
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S. Piero a Grado
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6 km S.W of Pisa along a straight road lined with plane trees which skirts the Arno, lies the church of "San Piero a Grado", built on the site where St Peter is said to have landed on his journey from Antioch to Rome. In Roman times this was the site of the last ferry across the Arno. The present Romanesque basilica dates from the 11C and is another fine example of the Pisan architecture. The pretty exterior has blind arcading and majolica tondoes, and a central lateral door. The interesting fresco cycle dates from the beginning of the 14C. The ciborium marks the spot where St Peter is said to have preached.
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S. Rossore
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4 km west of Pisa lies the "Tenuta di San Rossore", a summer estate of the President of the Republic, with bird and animal sanctuaries (wild boar, deer, etc.). This area is open to the public as the "Parco Naturale Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli".
It incorporates also a race-course, which was once owned by the Medici family, and today also belongs to the president.
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Volterra
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Volterra is situated in a magnificent position on a precipitous hill (555m) with open views in every direction across a splendid landscape of rolling hills. It is a grim medieval walled town, the successor to an Etruscan city of much greater extent.
Its history dates back over 3000 years when Velathri was the northernmost of the 12 cities of the Confederation of Etruria Propria and one of the most prominent. In 3C B.C. it became the Roman Volaterrae. From almost every époque, history has left its traces which has made the town such an interesting and fascinating place. Even the English writer, D.H. Lawrence, who came to Volterra in 1927, was so overwhelmed and almost speechless by the breathtaking views and the surrounding scenery !
"La Porta all'Arco" or Arco Etrusco, is a gateway rebuilt in Roman times, with the remains of three colossal Etruscan heads, and leads to the remains of the Etruscan walls outside the town centre, which are well preserved at many points and were nearly three times the circumference (ca. 9km) of that of the medieval walls. The "Museo Etrusco Guarnacci" contains many archaeological findings from the Etruscan period including more than 600 Etruscan cinerary urns, mostly of the 3C B.C., in alabaster or terracotta. On the lids are generally the recumbent figures of the dead, with the cup of life reversed. A Roman section includes two heads of Augustus from the theatre and mosaics from baths. "Piazza dei Piori" is one of the best preserved medieval piazzas in Tuscany. The Palazzo dei Priori (1208-54), now the town hall, is the oldest building of its kind in Tuscany. There are also various museums, art galleries and palaces (Pinacoteca Civica, Museo dell' Opera, Minucci Solaini ) worth visiting and outside the medieval walls, the roman theatre
Teatro Romano and baths built at the end of the 1C B.C, part of the cavea and scena remain. Within the portico, which was added a century later, are remains of baths with various rooms, one with a mosaic pavement.
Almost all the buildings are of a kind of limestone, panchina, the matrix of alabaster, which is found here in the area in abundance. There are still numerous alabaster workshops in the town which sell various 'objets d'art'.
Volterra is also well known for "Mangiare". As well as the typical Tuscan cuisine, famous local dishes here include game served, of course, with a large portion of local hospitality.
During the summer months the town is also busy and bustling with celebrations and festivities. Every year during the last two weeks of August the entire town returns to its medieval traditions. The last two Sundays are celebrated in medieval style with 15C atmosphere.
Another interesting highlight is the choir festival on the last Saturday in September, always with a large number of visitors.
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To obtain a list of holiday accommodation available in this region of Tuscany please refer to the link below:
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For more information on events, folklore and festivities throughout Tuscany please refer to the link below:
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Holiday accommodation booking agency featuring individually selected holiday accommodation
in Tuscany and Umbria.
We act on behalf of local property owners as agent between
owner and customer in a reservation and contract arrangement.
Copyright 2004-2013 © Elisa Santoni Internet Travel Agency
Sondermeierstr. 110 D-80939 München
+49 89 12392998 +49 160 7372215
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