A 2.5-hour walking tour to get to know the city of Pisa in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. As you stroll through the historic centre, you will learn about the city's history and marvel at the beauty of its architecture. Surrounded by the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, I will tell you entertaining and interesting legends and stories that have survived to the present day.
During the tour, you will learn how Pisa, which began as a Roman colony, transformed into a powerful and wealthy maritime republic. You will learn about its glory, its decline in the Middle Ages, and how it evolved during the Renaissance. A very powerful but tyrannical city, by the end of our tour, you will understand why Pisa was once hated by all the cities of Tuscany. A hatred that, in a light-hearted way, has survived to the present day.
The tour starts from the Piazza dei Miracoli, where we will also discover how this name came about.
I will tell you about the features of Europe's largest baptistery and the stories that have developed around its two-tone roof. If you have time, we can take a 20-minute tour of the interior of the Baptistery. Entrance tickets must be purchased on site and are not included in the tour price.
Next, we'll focus on the Duomo. I will tell you stories about hidden details of its façade, unusual columns, inscriptions, and strange symbols. I will also tell you about superstitious practices that originated in the Middle Ages and are still practised by the people of Pisa.
We will also visit the interior of the Cathedral, which houses works of art such as Giovanni Pisano’s Pulpit and Cimabue’s Christ Enthroned mosaic. When we reach the large chandelier, we'll talk about the legends surrounding the experiments that Galileo conducted in the Cathedral.
We will then move on to the Leaning Tower, one of the most famous medieval monuments in the world. I will tell you why the tower has leaned over the course of its nine centuries of existence, how it has been in danger of collapsing in recent decades, and what measures have been taken to prevent it from falling. The Tower is actually a bell tower with seven bells; I will tell you about the Traitor’s Bell and when it last rang.
After the Miracle Square, we'll move on to the Renaissance part of the city. We'll visit the beautiful Piazza dei Cavalieri, the legacy left behind by the Medici dynasty. Today, it is home to the prestigious Scuola Normale Superiore, where many famous figures from contemporary Italian history have studied.
Next, we will walk through the narrow streets of Borgo Stretto, where I will show you the house where Galileo Galilei was born and tell you the storey of his life.
We will also pass by Piazza delle Vettovaglie, a former market square that was converted by the Medici family into a Renaissance cloister. Today, it is home to food stalls and bars and restaurants that are perfect for an aperitif or a dinner featuring traditional Pisan cuisine.
For those with a sweet tooth, here you can also sample Torta coi Bischeri, a traditional Pisan dessert made from shortcrust pastry and dried fruit.
We will conclude our tour on Ponte di Mezzo, where we can enjoy the spectacular views of the Lungarno Pisano.