Tuscany hosts in its territory the most famous Italian monument abroad, the Tower of Pisa.
And it is from one of the ancient Maritime Republics that we want to start our new format: a short guide to the cities easily to reach from our agriturismo.
In fact, Pisa is about an hour away from Gambassi Terme and is the ideal destination for a day trip. In this article you will find a short itinerary to discover the city and some useful advice to explore the city.
The tour starts, of course, from Piazza dei Miracoli, the most iconic place in Pisa, which also includes the most important monuments: the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the famous Tower, as well as the former Hospital and the Camposanto.
The square is surrounded by ancient walls, which you can walk on to enjoy a different perspective on the area (the ticket price is 5 euros).
But now is the time to discover it inside. Did you know that the monuments present represent the cycle of life? In fact, the Baptistery represents birth, the Cathedral life, the Hospital suffering and, finally, the Camposanto death.
Let's spend a few words on what was supposed to be the bell tower of the Cathedral, the famous Tower of Pisa. It took almost two hundred years to complete its construction, because already on the third floor they realized that the structure was starting to lean and decided to stop the work. After a hundred years of studies, they resumed work by building the last floors in the opposite direction, in the hope of being able to balance the slope.
Today, after being closed for about ten years at the end of the old millennium, when it reached a slope of more than seven degrees, it is constantly controlled and monitored. So don't be afraid and climb its 294 steps: it is an experience to do at least once in your life.
The cumulative ticket to enter all the monuments, including the Tower, costs 27 euros.
After taking the classic shot with the Tower, leave it behind you and head towards Piazza dei Cavalieri, one of the most beautiful in the city, which hosts the prestigious Scuola Normale Superiore and the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, which houses some flags stolen from Turkish ships and pirates during the period of the maritime republics.
Continue your walk along Borgo Stretto, the main street, which will make you fall in love with its arcades full of shops, cafes and restaurants. Once you arrive in Piazza Garibaldi you will find yourself in front of the Ponte di Mezzo, from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Arno and the colorful historic buildings that overlook the river.
Once you have crossed the most important waterway in Tuscany, we recommend you visit the Palazzo Blu. The venue hosts, every year, numerous noteworthy exhibitions. In this period, from October 24, 2024 to February 23, 2025, you will find HOKUSAI, the exhibition dedicated to the great Japanese artist, the greatest exponent of Ukiyoe (the ticket price is 14 euros).
Conclude your itinerary with a bit of street art, following Corso Italia, Pisa's shopping street, reaching two murals: the one created by Keith Haring, "Tuttomondo", in 1989, and the one dedicated to Galileo Galilei by Eduardo Kobra.
Honorable mention for the little church overlooking the Arno and famous on social media, the Church of Santa Maria della Spina, an extraordinary example of Pisan Gothic.
The city tour has come to an end, but you can't say you've visited a place if you haven't tasted the culinary specialties, in this regard we leave you some advice from a local.
Where to eat
For breakfast or a snack, we recommend stopping at Pisa's historic pastry shops, such as Salza, in Borgo Stretto.
For a quick but tasty lunch, we suggest you try the famous cecina, a chickpea flour cake served inside soft focaccias. Our favorites are found at da Nando, in Corso Italia, and at Il Montino, in via del Monte.
If you are looking for a nice restaurant we suggest three excellent places: Osteria di Culegna, in via Mercanti; Osteria i Santi, in via Santa Maria, and Quanto Basta, in via Palestro.
Where to park
Despite being a city that lives on tourism, finding free parking and close enough to the center is quite simple, we recommend you leave your car in via pietrasantina or in via Tino di Camaino. You will reach Piazza dei Miracoli in about ten minutes on foot.
While waiting for the beautiful season, we hope that our guide can be of help to you and to see you soon in our structure, a farmhouse immersed in the Tuscan countryside and equipped with all comforts, with twelve independent apartments and a swimming pool area at the complete disposal of our guests.
Come and experience your stay in Tuscany.
Contact us by email at info@agriturismosantacristina.net or on whatsapp at +39 389 1515707 for more information.
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