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Pisa


43 43 '00 "N 10 24' 00" E / 43.716667, 10.4

Pisa
Pisa
Campo dei Miracoli with the Cathedral and the Leaning Tower
Blazon logo
Administration
Italian name Pisa
Country Flag: Italy Italy
Region Flag of Tuscany.svg Tuscany
Province Pisa
Istat Code 050026
Postcode 56100
Prefix such. 050
Mayor Marco Filippeschi )
Density 473 inhabitants / km 2
Demonym pisani
Patron saint Saint Ranieri
Local Festival June 17
Geography
Contact 43 43 '00 "North
10 24 '00 "East / 43.716667, 10.4
Altitude 4 m
Area 185 km
Cadastral code G702
See the administrative map
Pisa
See the Topographic Map
Pisa

Pisa in Italian) is an Italian city of about 87,000 inhabitants, capital of the province of the same name in Tuscany. It is famous the world mainly for its Leaning Tower. It is crossed by the River Arno and is located on Via Aurelia.

Summary

/ / History

Antiquity

Pisa's origins are unknown. The city was situated at the confluence of the Arno and Auser (now defunct). It was suggested that the city was founded by the Pelasgians , the Greeks , the Etruscans or Ligurian. However, archaeological remains dating from the fifth century BC. BC attest to the presence of a city along the Ligurian sea, which traded with the Gauls and the Greeks. An Etruscan necropolis was discovered during excavations of the Arena Garibaldi in 1991.

The authors of ancient Rome also speak of Pisa as an ancient city. Servius wrote that the city was founded in the thirteenth century BC. AD by Pelops , king of Pisa. Strabo attributed the foundation of Pisa hero Nestor king of Pylos, after the fall of Troy. As for Virgil in his Aeneid , he wrote that Pisa was already at that time, an important center.

The maritime role of Pisa should have been considerable, since the authorities of antiquity attributed to the invention of Pisa rostra. The city would benefit from the absence of port on the Ligurian coast, from Genoa , then a village, and Ostia , the port of Rome. Pisa served as a naval base, from whence the fleets were fighting the Ligurian , the Gauls or Carthaginians.

In 180 BC. AD, Pisa is awarded the status of colony of Roman law, under the name of Portus Pisanus. In 89 BC. AD, it is assigned the status of municipality. Emperor Augustus fortified the colony and made it an important port, under the name of Colonia Iulia Obsequens. From 313, the presence of a bishop in Pisa is attested.

In the Middle Ages

During the last centuries of the Roman Empire Pisa knows certainly not the decline of other Italian cities, thanks to its position along the river and its defensive capabilities. In the seventh century , Pope Pisa assistance Gregory I by supplying numerous ships in its battle against the Byzantines of Ravenna. Pisa is the only center of Byzantine Ravenna to go home without fighting in the lap Lombard , by assimilation with the surrounding area where the Pisani are carried by their business interests. Pisa begins his ascent to the place of first port of northern Tyrrhenian Sea , focusing on trade between Tuscany and Corsica , the Sardinia and the coast of Spain and southern France.

Following the victory of Charlemagne on the Lombards , under the command of Didier in 774, Pisa enters a short crisis. She became politically a part of the Duchy of Lucca. In 930 Pisa became the center of the county (which it remains until the arrival of Otto I , in the course of Tuscia. If Lucca is the capital city, Pisa is the most important city, as shown in the middle of the tenth century, Liutprand of Cremona , bishop of Cremona , called Pisa who Tusciae provinciae caput (capital of the province of Tuscia). Indeed, a century later, called the Marquis of Tuscia " marquis of Pisa ".

From a naval point of view, the pressure exerted by pirates Saracen from the ninth century to force the city to acquire a large fleet, which will serve the expansion of the city. In 808 the Pisan attack the coast of North Africa. In 871, they participate in the defense of Salerno against the Saracens. In 970, they are supporting Otto I to overcome the Byzantine fleet off the coast of Calabria.

Eleventh century

The mura di Pisa , the city fortifications.

Maritime Expansion

Pisa's maritime power increased and reached its peak in the eleventh century , a period which date the reputation of being one of the four maritime republics of Italy. At the same time, Pisa became a vital commercial center and controls much of the merchant marine and war in the Mediterranean. This allows it to expand and looting in 1005 Reggio Calabria. She also continually fight against the pirates Saracen , who have bases in Corsica and Sardinia. In 1017, with the help of Genoa, the city captures Sardinia , which gives it control of the Tyrrhenian Sea , especially as the hunt quickly Pisans Genoese of Sardinia (which would give rise to the rivalry of the two republics). Between 1030 and 1035, Pisa successively defeated many Sicilian towns and conquered Carthage (then Mahdia in 1088). In 1051-1052 the admiral Jacopo Ciurini invaded Corsica, accentuating the rivalry with Genoa. In 1063 held the bag of Palermo , under the direction of Admiral Giovanni Orlando and the Norman king of Sicily, Roger I.. It is the looting of the city Saracen allowing the start of construction of the cathedral and other monuments of the famous Field of Miracles (Campo dei Miracoli) which later became the Piazza del Duomo.

In 1060, Pisa beat Genoa and consolidate its supremacy in the Mediterranean.

Political Autonomy

This expansion in the Mediterranean allows Pisa to shine and be diplomatically recognize political autonomy. Indeed, in 1077, Pope Gregory VII recognized the "Laws and Customs of the Sea" created by Pisani. More importantly, the Emperor Henry IV endorses political independence of the city by allowing it in 1081 to name their own consuls and a council of elders, because, anyway, the marquis had lost any political prerogative. In 1092, Pope Urban II recognizes the supremacy of Pisa on Corsica and Sardinia and promotes the city to the rank of archbishop.

Pisa's maritime power is then such that the sovereigns of Europe rely on it. This is, in 1092 King Alfonso VI of Castile, who wanted to hunt Cid 's Kingdom of Valencia. Similarly, Pisa participates in the First Crusade, providing more than 120 vessels, gigantic figure for the time. Before arriving in Jerusalem , the Pisani also does not lack the opportunity, under the leadership of their archbishop Daimbert Byzantine plunder of the islands.

Empire Commercial

Pisa and other maritime republics take part in the crusade to establish a network of trading posts along the Syrian coast, the Lebanese and Palestinian. Pisans based in particular colonies of merchants at Antioch , Acre , Jaffa , Tripoli , Tyre , or Latakia. They also hold land in Jerusalem and Caesarea and small colonies (less autonomous) in Cairo and Alexandria. At Constantinople , Alexius Comnenus granted them trading rights. The affairs are so prosperous that the Pisan district, located in the eastern part of Constantinople has more than 1000 individuals in the twelfth century. In all these cities, Pisa are exempt from taxes, but must provide assistance in case of enemy attack.

At that time, Pisa is the closest ally of the Byzantines, and their main trading partner, to Venice.

Twelfth century

The Baptistery of the cathedral

Conquest, looting, apogee

Because of its economic power and naval Pisa is sought in 1113 when Pope Paschal III decides to conduct an expedition against the Moors in the Balearic Islands. Other troops, such as the Comte de Barcelona or those from Provence and Italy (excluding Genoa) are their allies. This attack resulted in the capture of the King and Queen of Majorca , which are captured and taken in Tuscany. Although the Almoravids reconquer the island shortly after the loot made by the Pisani at that time shall facilitate the achievement of their program monumental, namely, the Campo dei Miracoli. Pisa itself as a major force in the western Mediterranean.

In subsequent years, the powerful Pisan fleet manages to drive the Saracens after fierce fighting. Despite the harsh fighting, the success of Pisa in Spain highlights the rivalry between the city and Genoa. This is coupled with a commercial rivalry, as the great trade of Pisa, with the Languedoc , the Provence , Savona , Frjus and Montpellier gene business interests of its rival in cities like Hyeres , Fos , Antibes and Marseille. The war broke out in 1119 when the Genoese galleys attack back to Pisa and lasts until 1133. The combat is both naval and land but takes more the form of raids and piracy as a pitched battle. Innocent II resolved the crisis by delimiting spheres of influence in Genoa and Pisa, which allows Pisa help Innocent II in its conflict against the King of Sicily Roger II.
This will result in the taking of Amalfi , one of the maritime republics , 6 August 1136. Pisans destroy ships of Amalfi, attacked the castles of the surrounding area and repel an army sent by Roger II. Pisa is then at the height of his power. Two years later, the soldiers put Salerno bag.

In orbit Ghibelline

In the following years Pisa was one of the stalwarts Ghibellines , to the delight of Frederick I , which gives thus two important documents, one in 1162 and another in 1165. They guarantee that outside the control of the contado of Pisa, the city has the privilege to trade freely with the whole empire and acquires the coast of Civitavecchia to Portovenere , half of Palermo , Messina , Salerno and Naples , Gaeta , and Trapani Mazzarri ansi a street in every city in the kingdom of Sicily. Some of these privileges were later confirmed by Henry VI , Otto IV and Frederick II. This marks the culmination of Pisa, but also leads to resentment on the part of neighboring cities, which are foreclosed any attempt at a maritime expansion (including Lucca , Massa, Volterra and Florence ) but also from Genoa. The rivalry with Lucca also concerned the castle Montignoso and control via Francigena , the main trade route between France and Rome.

Genoa had acquired a dominant position in the markets of southern France. The war between Pisa and Genoa in 1165 certainly started on the Rhone when an attack on a convoy Pisan (perhaps intended to Provence , an ally of Pisa) by the Genoese and the Count of Toulouse ally, failed. The war lasted until 1175 without a decisive victory. The conflict was also on Sicily where both cities had privileges guaranteed by Henry VI. In 1192, Pisa conquers Messina , Genoa but seizes Syracuse in 1204. Counters Pisa Sicily will also removed to Pisa by Innocent III (although it was he who removed the excommunication of the city ruled by his predecessor Celestine III. Indeed, the pope entered the Guelph League in Tuscany led by Florence. He also signed a pact with Genoa, which was to undermine the presence of Pisa in Italy's south.

Rivalry with Genoa and Venice

To counter the Genoese rule in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea , Pisa strengthens its trade relations with its traditional allies in Spain and France ( Marseille , Narbonne , Barcelona ,...) and interferes in the affairs in the Adriatic Sea , preserve of Venice. In 1180, the two cities had signed a nonaggression pact, but the death of Manuel I Comnenus in Constantinople changed the situation. Pisa then led attacks against convoys Venetian and signed pacts of alliance Ancona , Pula, Zadar, Split and Brindisi. In 1195, a Pisan fleet defended against Pola Venice Serenissima regained quickly but the rebellious city.

A year later, the two cities signed a peace treaty with favorable conditions for Pisa. But in 1199, it is broken at the initiative of Pisa, who established a blockade off the port of Brindisi in Puglia. Venice was victorious in Pisa and imposed a treaty in which it renounced all its expansionist ambitions in the Adriatic Despite counters that it had established in the area. From that moment the two cities were allied against the rising power of Genoa and sometimes collaborated to increase business profits made in Constantinople.

Thirteenth century

Ebb and flow Military

In 1209 and 1217 held two councils to Lerici to end the rivalry with Genoa, which lead to the signing of a peace treaty for twenty years. But the hostility of Genoa to Pisa was revived in 1220 when Emperor Frederick II confirmed the supremacy of Pisa on the Tyrrhenian coast (from Civitavecchia to Portovenere ). This initiative also reinforces the imperial distrust towards Pisa Tuscany. In the following years Pisa battle Lucca in Garfagnana and was defeated by the Florentine at Castel del Bosco Montopoli in Val d'Arno.

Similarly, the position Ghibelline of the city, in a context of confrontation between the pope and the emperor, the pope will take to try to deprive Pisa of its possessions in northern Sardinia. More generally, Pisa is caught in this conflict. This is the case when in 1238 Gregory IX organize an alliance between Genoa and Venice against the Empire, and thus against Pisa. An important step in the fight takes place in 1241 when a Sicilian and Pisan fleet, led by the emperor's son, Enzo Genovese attack a convoy carrying prelates of France and northern Italy toward Rome where Pope was to hold a council anti-Empire. The hand goes in front of the island of Giglio, across from the Tuscany and can take 25 Genoese ships, thousands of sailors, two cardinals and a bishop. This prevents the meeting of the council but leads to the excommunication of Pisa (measure lifted in 1257). Pisa to try to take advantage Alria in Corsica and lay siege to Genoa itself in 1243 without success. The Republic of Genoa relies quickly and resumed Lerici, lost a few years earlier, in 1256.

Demographic and Economic Situation

The climax of Pisa is marked by the changing demographics of the city. Pisa account in 1228 (the date for which you have a list of Pisa swearing a peace treaty) approximately 15 000 inhabitants. But with the Meloria , the population grew an estimated approximately 40 000 inhabitants (estimated by the number of 9000 prisoners at the Meloria ). This battle marked a drastic halt to population growth Pisan.

Pisa in the Middle Ages draws most of its resources in maritime commerce. The city also controls the mining of iron and silver from the island of Elba and Sardinia. As a result, Pisa manages to be very soon a large fleet of war. But the thirteenth century is a major change in the funding of the town. Maritime trade is decreasing in favor of Venice and Genoa. Develops, however, a textile industry, but it will never compete with that of Florence. This phase of economic decline also marks a political and cultural decline. The great buildings of Pisa date of the eleventh century and twelfth century.

The seizure of power by the Popolo

The birth of Popolo in Pisa is late. Indeed, the sectors that could be described as industrial, such as textiles, there appear until later. On the other hand, the maritime trade helps to maintain the power of the aristocracy (it takes significant funds to arm a ship). So only in 1222 that the Popolo appears for the first time in the Pisan sources. In 1237 are referred to the Statute of Popolo and Veterans. Finally, that's what the year 1248 witnessed the presence of a master of the people at the head of the town, next to the Podesta. He runs the city on both the civil and the military.

The Popolo is organized in a conventional manner, both on a territorial basis and on a professional basis (the arts ). They appear indeed in 1235-7 and are seven in number, the most important in terms of numbers are those of iron (bound to the island of Elba ), leather (imported from the Black Sea , processed and resold) and wool (wool processing). But the richest citizens of Pisa are part of Arts Major who are called orders. It is the order of the merchants, the order of the consuls of the sea (the owners) and the order of the entrepreneurs in the wool sector. These are three orders which direct the city to the middle of the thirteenth century. Then form a system of Popolo, with members of the seven arts. Indeed, in 1254, the Popolo revolts and requires the establishment of twelve elders of the people (Anziani del Popolo) to represent him in communal institutions. Similarly, is put in place a new board, the board of Popolo , formed by members of the various arts that form the Popolo , to supplant the advice aristocratic. He had the power to ratify laws Maggiore Council and Senate.

But this does not end the rivalry between the two dominant families, the Della Gherardesca and Visconti. In 1237, the archbishop and the Emperor Frederick II try to reconcile them unsuccessfully.

Decline

The Meloria end power Pisan

The decline of Pisa is abrupt and resounding as the apogee of the city closes August 6, 1284 at the Battle of Meloria. Pisan fleet under the command of Albertino Morosini , yet on the power play, was defeated thanks to ingenious maneuvers Benedetto Zaccaria , head of the Genoese fleet with Oberto Doria. This defeat ended the maritime power Pisa: the fleet is destroyed, more than ten thousand sailors and prisoners are Pisan Sardinia is lost. The casualties were prevented in the future Pisa to find his place in the Mediterranean.

The trade continued but to a lesser extent. The final blow was dealt by the change of stroke of the Arno which prevented ships from reaching the port city up river. It also seems that the surrounding area has been infested by malaria.

A town in the Florentine contado

Always Ghibelline Pisa attempts to recover the fourteenth century and even managed to beat Florence in 1315 at the Battle of Montecatini. But infighting and loss of market power are as Pisa can not resist Florence in 1406. The city finally fell under his domination. It only becomes a city contado Florentine. In 1409, Pisa hosting a council to settle the question of the Great Schism. During the fifteenth / Sup> century, its sea access is restricted even further as the harbor is silting up and cut off from the sea in 1494 when Charles VIII invades Italy to Naples , Pisa took the opportunity to claim his independence as the second republic of Pisa. But this new independence will not last long because, fifteen years of war and sieges, Pisa was reconquered in 1509 by Florence. It loses its role as the main port of Tuscany in favor of Livorno , or gather the Jewish colony of grana , but became a cultural center thanks to the high presence of the University of Pisa , founded in 1343. A clear evidence of this decline can be given by demographics, since population of Pisa has remained virtually constant since the Middle Ages.

Pisa is the birthplace of Galileo. It still houses a bishopric. She became an industrial center and an important railway junction. She suffered destruction during the Second World War.

Chronology

  • Early seventh century , the city depends on the Lombard duchy of Lucca.
  • 1004 , the city of Pisa is sacked by Arab pirates.
  • 1011 , sacked by the Arabs of Pisa
  • 1052 , a Pisan fleet commanded by Admiral Jacopo Ciurini and against the Saracen threat weighing on the coast of Sardinia addresses Corsican Saint-Florent. Noting the submission of the island and having planted their banners, the sea resume Pisa to Sardinia , carrying the relics of St. Reparata.
  • 1015 , the Arabs drove the Pisan Sardinia.
  • 1063 , commencement of construction of the Cathedral of Pisa with the booty from the sack of Palermo in the same year, hence the inscription on the facade of the cathedral, which indicates the source of funding.
  • 1077 , Pope entrusts the administration of Corsica to Pisa.
  • 1087 , Pisa and Genoa defeated the Arabs in Mahdia in Tunisia , which release their slaves and captured the European trade with the emirate Zirid of North Africa.
  • 1121 , the Byzantine Emperor John II Comnenus grant trade privileges to Pisa.
  • 1173 , beginning the construction of the tower (the Tower of Pisa)

In the twelfth and thirteenth century still in Pisa is dominated by large clans, and sees them fighting. Arts (corporations) are nonexistent. As a result, the people (Popolo) can not organize until the middle of the thirteenth century.

Economy

Monuments and Heritage

View of the Campo dei Miracoli or Piazza dei Miracoli Piazza del Duomo become


Piazza dei Miracoli

The Piazza del Duomo is a large plaza, covered by lawns and bordered on one side by medieval walls, which forms the heart of the religious and monumental city. She was listed as World Heritage by the UNESCO in 1987. The nickname of Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) comes from a poem by Gabriele D'Annunzio.

They include:

  • the Duomo (the cathedral of Pisa): started in 1064 and completed in mid-twelfth century, it is typical of the style Pisan Romanesque. The exterior is covered with marble and white and green facade is notable for its four rows of blind arcades. The interior consists of a nave with five ships. The vault of the apse is decorated with a large mosaic depicting a fourteenth century Christ Pantocrator. Another remarkable feature, the pulpit made by Giovanni Pisano between 1302 and 1311.
  • The Leaning Tower is actually the bell tower of the cathedral. 58m high, it is composed of eight floors supported by columns Blind in Carrara marble. The tower leans from the early years of its construction, begun in 1173, due to subsidence. It was secured by the work between 1990 and 2001. It is open to the public again.
  • The Baptistery : circular building of 110m in circumference and covered with a dome 55m high, is the largest Baptistery in Italy. It was built between the twelfth and fourteenth century: thus, if the first two levels are Romanesque arches are Gothic. The interior is famous for its acoustics and the pulpit by Nicola Pisano decorated in 1260.
  • The Cemetery is the monumental cemetery. It consists of a large cloister stretched in length with four-bay Gothic windows. Begun in 1277, it was not completed until two centuries later. The center contains the Holy Land brought back by the Crusaders. The many frescoes that adorned were damaged during the bombing of the Second World War. Some were saved and restored, as the Triumph of Death.

Other religious buildings

  • The church of San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno : built from the tenth century it was enlarged in the twelfth century on the model of the Duomo. Its facade, with three levels of blind arches, was completed in the early fourteenth century by Giovanni Pisano.
  • The church of Santa Maria della Spina. : A small highly decorated Gothic church built between 1323 and 1370, to house a thorn from Christ's crown. Built on the banks of the Arno, it was dismantled and reassembled stone by stone to a higher level above the River.
  • The church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria
  • The church of San Francesco: built in the late thirteenth century and with a simple marble facade of the seventeenth century.
  • The church of San Frediano
  • The church of San Zeno
  • The church of San Sepolcro, which contains the tomb of Marie Mancini.
  • The church of Santo Stefano : built by Vasari in 1569, its facade is made of white Carrara marble.

Civil buildings

  • The Palazzo della Carovana : built by Vasari between 1562 and 1567, the site of a medieval palace. Its curved facade is notable for its decoration in graffiti. Today it houses the Scuola Normale Superiore.
  • The palazzo dell'Orlogio : it is an ancient medieval building, the residence of the captain of the people. Transformed in the seventeenth century, it includes the old Torre della Fame (Tower of Hunger) which was locked Count Ugolino della Gherardesca, the commander of the Pisan fleet had lost the Battle of Meloria, who died of hunger.
  • The Medici palace built in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, is the seat of the prefecture.
  • The Palazzo Agostini: red brick Gothic palace of the XV century. It houses the caff dell'Ussero, founded in 1775, frequented by the writers of the nineteenth century, and the Lumire cinema.
  • The palazzo Gambarcoti: City Hall.
  • The Loggia dei Banchi.
  • The palazzo Putaneo
  • The Archbishop's Palace
  • Guelph Tower: it was built by the Florentines in 1406. Destroyed in 1944, it was rebuilt in 1956.

Tickets and Attractions

  • The Piazza dei Cavalieri (Knights' Square) was the political heart of Pisa in the Middle Ages. She has been an overhaul at the instigation of Cosimo I de 'Medici , who commissioned the famous architect Vasari to construct buildings to accommodate the Knights of St. Stephen (Santo Stefano di cavalieri). It hosts the Palazzo della Carovana the palazzo dell'Orlogio, the church of Santo Stefano or the palazzo Putaneo.
  • Piazza delle Vettovaglie: rebuilt under the Medici, it welcomes the horticultural market.
  • Piazza Garibaldi
  • The Borgo Stretto: the main street of the medieval heart of Pisa, characterized by arches.

Museums

Trivia

At the top of the tower of Pisa, Galileo ( Galileo Galilei ) would have tested his law of falling bodies and is looking chandeliers in the cathedral that he had his first insights into the dynamics at the age of 19 years.

People born in Pisa



Administration

List of Mayors (Mayors) successive
Period Identity Party Quality
1944-1951 Italo Bargagna PCI
1951-1956 Renato Pagni DC
1956-1956 Italian Pellegrini DC
1956-1958 Vittorio Galluzzi PSI
1958-1960 Renato Pagni DC
1960-1961 Vittorio Galluzzi PSI
1962-1964 Viale Umberto DC
1964-1965 Renato Pagni DC
1967-1968 Giulio Battistini DC
1968-1970 Fausta Giani Cecchini PSI
1970-1970 Franco Gemignani DC
1970-1970 Fausta Giani Cecchini PSI
1970-1971 Giuseppe Prosperi DC
1971-1971 Vinicio Bernardini PCI
1971-1971 Giulio Battistini DC
1971-1976 Elia Lazzari DC
1976-1983 Luigi Bulleri PCI
1983-1985 Vinicio Bernardini PCI
1985-1986 Oriano Ripoli PSI
1986-1990 Giacomino Granchi PSI
1990-1994 Sergio Cortopassi PSI
1994-1998 Pietro Floriani PDS
1998-2008 Paolo Fontanelli DS
2008 Marco Filippeschi PD
All the data we are not yet known.

Hamlets

Marina di Pisa, Tirrenia, Calambrone Barbaricina, Riglione, Oratoio, Putignano, San Piero a Grado, Coltano, Sant'Ermete, Ospedaletto

Common Boundary

Cascina , Collesalvetti ( Livorno ), Livorno (Leghorn), San Giuliano Terme.

Twinnings

See also

Residents

References

External Links


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