The city of Pisa lies on the banks of the Arno River in a flat area called Valdarno Inferiore, enclosed to the north by the Monti Pisani mountains.

It is a city that is both ancient and modern, proud of its past as a world power, which reached its peak during the period of the Maritime Republic. Today it is home to three of Italy’s most important universities: the Scuola Normale Superiore, located in the Palazzo della Carovana designed by the great Giorgio Vasari in Piazza dei Cavalieri, the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, and the University of Pisa.

Among the city’s most important monuments is the famous Piazza del Duomo, known as Piazza dei Miracoli, declared a World Heritage Site in 1987, with the Cathedral built between 1063 and 1118 in Pisan Romanesque style and the Leaning Tower, a 12th-century bell tower, now one of the most famous Italian monuments in the world due to its characteristic inclination.

The grandeur of the ancient maritime republic of Pisa is reflected in its bridges, palaces, and frescoed interiors, as well as in its impressive museums: the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, the Museo della Grafica, the Palazzo Reale, and the Certosa. The medieval center is rich in churches, porticoes, and bars and restaurants.

Pisa is the birthplace of famous painters and is still an important center for contemporary art. Near the train station, it boasts Keith Haring’s magnificent mural Tuttomondo, while the fountain in Piazza della Stazione is by the great Arnaldo Pomodoro. It is connected to the whole world thanks to its Galileo Galilei International Airport, which makes it an accessible destination from anywhere in the world.