Archive for 'Pisa'

Spending can pile up on holidays and the last thing you want to have to think about is money while trying to enjoy yourself. This is particularly true of popular tourist destinations where the town relies on tourism and, therefore, seems as if they're going to try charging for air next. Pisa is no different. Between the Leaning Tower, museums, transport, food, souvenirs and all those little extras, it wouldn't be long before you've spent your entire budget.

In order to make sure you can make it last and keep money aside for the important things – like eating good food – we've compiled a list of things that you can do free of charge.     Read More

The Knight's Square, or Piazza dei Cavalieri, in Pisa is a town square and a landmark that holds particular historical importance. It is thought to have Roman origins, was a political centre during the Middle Ages, used as the headquarters of the Order of the Knights, and was the site of Medici displays of power. After 1140 many churches and buildings belonging to different municipalities were built around the square and it is full of other secular buildings, particularly those from 16th century rebuilding by Vasari, that are rich in culture and history as well. If you want to sit out in a sunny town square and soak up Italian culture and history and enjoy the lifestyle, find a villa with pool in Pisa.     Read More

To the west of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Duomo there is a Baptistery which is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Construction began in 1152 but was not completed until 1363. Largely Romanesque and Gothic in style it does, however, display Byzantine and Islamic influences as well. Small and perfectly formed and built to allow for exceptional acoustics, it is a symmetrical architectural gem, only a stone's throw from the more famous Leaning Tower. Why not find a villa with pool in the Pisa area and visit the tower and the baptistery, it's lesser-known but equally fascinating and incredibly beautiful cousin?     Read More

Art and Italy are somewhat synonymous. Those two words so close to each other bring to mind works from the distant past; Ancient sites, Medieval frescoes, Renaissance sculpture, Baroque church interiors. Yet the story of art in Italy did not end with the burgeoning of the Modern era. In fact, clues to her enduring connection to art are sometimes out in the open. It is, of course, Keith Haring's “Tuttomondo” mural that I have in mind. Located in the Tuscan town of Pisa near the station in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, it is overshadowed by the looming, leaning legend of the Tower and less well-known but worth visiting. In fact, why not find a luxury villa in Pisa and see Haring's last public work for yourself?     Read More