Tuscany is famous for its beautiful landscape, sumptuous cuisine and fine wines, making it an ideal holiday destination. The region also has some fascinating cities to visit and worth making time to see the historical attractions in Pisa.
When you leave your family villa in Italy for the city, the thing at the top of your list to see is almost certain to be the leaning tower of Pisa. One of Italy's emblematic buildings, this recently renovated hotel is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.
It is an impressive spectacle, but you should not make the mistake of thinking that everything is there to see in Pisa. Even in Piazza dei Miracoli, where the Tower, you will find other fascinating buildings.
The Baptistery and walled graveyard are beautiful pieces of architecture, but is the imposing Cathedral of the eleventh century that makes the biggest impression. It has a façade of intricately designed, but that's how you go inside and begins to look for the Golden roof, elaborately carved pulpit and marble floors you'll realize the Cathedral is a true work of art.
To leave the Cathedral, take a walk to Piazza dei Cavalieri, where you will find Palazzo della Carovana. The spectacular building is now a University, but started life as the House of the order of Knights of the Holy Stefanomilitary.
The square is also the location of Chiesa di Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, one of the many beautiful churches of the city. Most Italian cities have a selection of attractive and Pisa relgious architecture is no exception, with San Paolo a Ripa d'arno and Santa Maria della Spina is also well worth seeing.
Pisa has a number of magnificent buildings that belonged to the Medici dynasty. Palazzo Reale has a fascinating museum with artifacts from aristocratic families that once lived there, while the Palazzo Medici is one of the best works of architecture.
If you want more than look to historical attractions during days off their Italian villas with pools, Pisa is also a great choice. In addition to an excellent selection of restaurants to try, the town hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year.
The choice of which is the Gioco del Ponte in Sunday final in June, when Pisa is transformed into a riot of color as two armies in the 16th and 17th century costumes stage a mock battle. In past years would fight for control of a bridge, but these days the winner is decided by pulling heavy carts on the same bridge, while a excitable crowd to cheer them on.
