Description

A fascinating city of art and culture, Pisa isn't just about its leaning campanile. It is the city of the lungarni (the "e;sides of the River Arno"e;), and it was this winding river path that dictated the city's development and fortunes. Both peaked under the grand rule of the Pisan Maritime Republic during the 10th to 13th centuries, when the historical center, with its unbeatable heritage of medieval monuments and artwork, was formed. Midway along the Arno River, the Ponte di Mezzo marks the southern boundary of Pisa's main historical district. The arcaded Borgo Stretto stretches in front of you, its range of increasingly classy shops representing the city's commercial heart. As you head up it, look on your right for the 14th-century facade of the Chiesa di San Michele in Borgo, right. Built in 990 and successively amplified, it documents magnificently the passage from the Romanesque to Gothic styles. Inside, you'll find a 13th-century marble crucifix, sculpted for the portal of the Camposanto by Nino Pisano and moved here in the 18th century. From the political heart to the religious heart: a short walk along Via Santa Maria takes you to the Piazza del Duomo, better known as the Piazza dei Miracoli (the Square of Miracles). It is the well known and impressively spacious home of the city cathedral, campanile (better known as the Leaning Tower), baptistery and monumental cemetery. It's a remarkable collection, not just in terms of craftsmanship - the buildings are c