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 […]
Called “Ripommarancia” until the fourteenth century, Pomarance was the center of legal fights between the bishops and the town of Volterra; Here born the painter-architect Cristoforo Roncalli, known as Pomarancio, whose five-seventeenth-century works are housed in the Romanesque church of San Giovanni Battista. Among the many mansions are the Palace Vicariale, the Praetorian Palace, the […]
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 […]
Pontedera is an active and industrious city, ideal for tourists. Around the city were found traces of ancient settlements dating from the Neolithic period; later, the territory was inhabited in Etruscan period, and in medieval times was built the castle with walls of brick and stone, and was fortified the river Era bridge. Pontedera is […]
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 […]
The city’s origins date back to the Etruscan-Roman; From the rock you can see the defense complex of the castle, built in 962 by Emperor Otto I, and the tower, symbol of San Miniato, built between 1217 and 1221 by Emperor Frederick II. The Cathedral overlooks the Piazza del Duomo and dates back to 1200; […]
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 […]
The village, whose name derives from the medieval Sancta Lucam, is documented from 877; now, only some traces of the fortress and medieval urban structure are preserved, in addition to the ancient Romanesque church in the hamlet of Pieve di Santa Luce. The local economy is mainly based on agriculture; for a testimony of old […]
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 […]
Terricciola is an ancient village of Etruscan origin at the confluence of the valleys of the Era rivere, of the Cascina river, and Sterza torrent, built on a tufa plateau. The village, originally with many towers, from which the Latin “Turris”, name of the town, took a leading role among the territories under the Bishop […]