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PISA - ITALY
Pisa (population 90,000) is a city in Tuscany, Italy at the mouth of the
river Arno on the Mediterranean.
By far the best known sight in Pisa is the famous leaning tower which is but
one of many architecturally and artistically important structures in the
city's Campo dei Miracoli or Field of Miracles to the north of the old town
center. Campo dei Miracoli also hosts the beautiful Duomo (the Cathedral),
the Baptister and The Camposanto (the monumental cemetry). Other interesting
sights include Knights' Square, where the Palazzo della Carovana, with its
awesome facade made by Giorgio Vasari may be seen, Borgo Stretto where it is
possible to stroll under medieval arcades and Lungarno, the avenues along
the river Arno .
History
Already existing during the Etruscan and Roman times, Pisa reached its apex
in the Middle Ages when it was one of the 4 Marine Republics of Italy (Repubbliche
Marinare), together with Genoa, Amalfi and Venice.
At that time the city was a very important commercial center and controlled
a significant Mediterranean fleet. It conquered part of Sardinia and
succesfully defeated several rival town in Sicily and in the south of Italy;
its fleet also took part in the crusades. Pisa used the richness it had
accumulated in those years to build the monuments that constitutes the Campo
dei Miracoli.
The town had an indipendent republican government and was ruled by a city
council. Pisa always sided with the pro-imperial Ghibellines, actively
supporting emperors such as Frederick Barbarossa, Frederick II and Henry VII.
Those emperors acknowledged Pisa indipendence and were grateful for its
loyalty such that the town was chosen to host the spoils of Henry King of
Germans, the son of Frederick II. The spoils still rest in the Pisa
Cathedral.
The decline began in 1284 when it was defeated by Genoa in the naval Battle
of Meloria. The defeat ended the marine power of Pisa and the town never
fully recovered. It tried to rebuild its power in the course of the 14th
century but was eventually conquered by Florence in 1406. Galileo Galilei
lived and was born here.
Notable people born in Pisa
Filippo Buonarroti (1761-1837), revolutioner
Ulisse Dini (1845-1918), mathematician
Fibonacci Leonardo (c. 1175-1250), mathematician
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), astronomer, philosopher, and physicist
Giovanni Pisano (c. 1250-1314), sculptor and architect
Nicola Pisano (c. 1220-1278), sculptor
Pacinotti Antonio (1841-1912), physicist
Rustichello da Pisa (XIIIth century), writer and storyteller
Titta Ruffo (1877-1953), opera singer
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