Pisa

Pisa is a town located in the Central-northern Italy in a region called Tuscany (Toscana in Italian). It is not far away from Florence and the Ligurian Riviera. Its internation airport, Galileo Galilei airport, which is used for a lot of flights some of which are performed by low cost companies.

Its origins are very remote in time; some experts suppose it was founded by some Greeks who wandered in the Mediterranean Sea after the Trojan War. The Etruscan civilization contributed to its development and the Romans did so. The town became very powerful in the Middle Age when it became a Maritime Republic in conjuction with Amalfi, Venice and Genoa.

Pisa is known in particular for one square where the main touristic attractions are concentrated: Piazza del Duomo, well known as Piazza dei Miracoli (Squares of Miracles) included in the Heritage Site of UNESCO from 1987. In this place, which is the most important spot in Pisa culturally and artistically, there are the Duomo, the Baptistery, the campanile also called "Leaning Tower" and the Camposanto. The construction of the Duomo began in the 11th century and was directed by the architect Buscheto. The predominant style is Romanesque, but the church also includes classic, Byzantine and Arabic elements. The façade consists of colored marbles, some of which were brought from Palermo after a military victory against the Sicilian town. Its internal space includes five naves, black and white marble, high columns and a three-naved transept.

The construction of the baptistery was very complicated, too. It began in 1152 by the architect Diotisalvi who designed a round building made of marble in order to remind people of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. After a long period, the works were commissioned to Nicola and Giovanni Pisano who preferred the Gothic style.

The Camposanto is a walled cemetery adorned with frescoes, among them the Triumph of Death executed by Buonamico Buffalmacco.

The Leaning Tower is one of the most famous buildings in the world. Its inclination is due to a subsidence of the ground. Numerous attempts have been made to repair it, but the tower keeps being inclined. The building of the tower began in 1173, however, its creator is unknown and the discussion which started many centuries ago is still open. Some people believe that it was Diotisalvi, author of the baptistery. Tommaso di Andrea Pisano worked at the bell-chamber and used Gothic elements despite the fact that the tower has a prevalent Romanesque style. The Leaning Tower is 55.86 meters tall from the ground on the low side and 56.70 meters on the high side. It consists of 294 steps.

The town of Pisa has lots of hotels; most of them are located in the centre and it has a direct access to Piazza dei Miracoli. They house people coming from each angle of the world and so they offer high levels of quality, elegance and cleanliness. They are situated close to elegant stores and the central station that connects Pisa with other towns in Central and Northern Italy.