Photos and information about Pisa and province

“La cittá della Torre Pendente” (so-called “Leaning Tower of Pisa”)

The once richest maritime republic has more to offer than the icon of tourism: “the Leaning Tower”. Art connoisseurs and lovers and everyone who is about to become one can immerse themselves in the most important art metropolis in Tuscany.

But first of all, let's “walk” into the old town to get a feel for why this city is so well-known and popular all over the world. The “miracle of physics” is actually on the Square of Miracles (Place of Miracles!). Of course, the bell tower, which is over 50m high, is of particular interest and you should enjoy and marvel at it at your leisure, because it is truly unique or rather unbelievable!! This square is not only the center of tourism in the last centuries, it is originally an extremely wonderful representation in a very special way, which focuses on human life and its cycles. Each of these buildings, in the still spacious square, can be interpreted as a "station" of human existence: starting with the magnificent baptistery "Battistero" (the largest baptismal church in Christianity - as a symbol of birth), moving on to the cathedral " Duomo Santa Maria Assunta” (Course of Life) and the Camposanto (the monumental cemetery – symbol of human death). This cycle is completed by the “Leaning Tower”, which symbolizes the accompanying connection to God. An impressive metaphor made of stone!

Pisa offers an incredible diversity of culture and history, almost every small alley and street offers “its own little story”. The Arno makes it easy for us not to lose track because it divides the city into two parts: the historical part and the “trading district” (very suitable for shopping!).

On “Borgo Stretto” In the oldest, most famous promenade lined with arcades you can let yourself be captivated by the incomparable magic and charm of this city!

With the church “Santa Maria della Spina”, called “la spina”, you can admire a Gothic jewel right on the Arno river and see what wonderful artistic skills the Italian artists were able to achieve as early as the 14th century. were capable.

The “Giardini Scotto” With their wonderful parks, they invite you to continue strolling and dreaming. We found the peacock enclosure particularly beautiful here, which creates an impressive picture with their elegant colors.

You should definitely treat yourself to a break in the extremely charming, oldest cafe in the city, “Antico Caffè dell' Ussero”, with the finest delicacies and delicacies. Just enjoy!

You can also dream further and further into “another time”. Piazza Cavalieri (Knights' Square). The “Palazzo dei Cavalieri” was the seat of the Knights of the Order of St. Stephans and today houses the elite university founded by Napoleon, “Scuola Normal Superiore”. As you can see, education also “likes to be at home in a beautiful, stylish atmosphere”.

This is particularly easy to imagine in the masterly tower “Torre della Fame” (Tower of Hunger), which Dante already gave a wonderful template for an extremely scary story in his world-famous “Divina Comedy”. (Count Ugolino was imprisoned in this tower with his 3 sons and starved until he “sacrificed” the heads of his 3 sons). You can't say that Italians had “solo amore” on their minds!

But you can and must say that the people in Tuscany love to celebrate very well and have very good festivals and Pisa offers a lot of spectacle there! Starting on June 16th (each year) with the Festival in honor of the patron saint, St. Ranieri! Here the Lungarno (the streets on the banks of the Arno) are illuminated with large wax candles/oil torches. Very romantic, extremely worth seeing!
Then on June 17th in the evening in honor of San Ranieri Boat regatta on the Arno between the 4 districts of Pisa.

It takes place on the last Sunday in June "Gioco del Ponte" instead of! A competition in historical costumes - divided into a parade (Lungarno) and a battle on the Ponte di Mezzo! Very impressive!

And last but not least, back to art and antiques: every second weekend of the month (except August) the Mezzo in the “Logge dei Banchi” takes place on the Ponte Antique and flea market instead of. Beautiful pieces from the past combined with Italian flair invite you to browse here! Have fun collecting, searching and finding!

Holiday rentals near Pisa:

• Agriturismo Crespina 
• Farm Crespina 2
• Holiday home Camugliano

The small town of Calci (approx. 4.500 inhabitants) has been known since ancient times for its limestone quarries. The Pieve di Calci, the parish church with an unfinished bell tower and an extremely elegant facade, is particularly beautiful. Be sure to go in and look at the Romanesque baptismal font, richly decorated with sculptures, which dates back to the 12th century. was created by an unknown artist under the influence of ancient sarcophagus sculpture.

Southeast of Calci lies the second largest charterhouse after Pavia - the Charterhouse of Pisa. Looking like a huge castle in the baroque style, which was particularly richly decorated with frescoes, it became state property after the Carthusian monks left. In addition to the convent building (consisting of church and refectory), the “Sala del Granduca” in the guest house, which was reserved exclusively for the Grand Duke of Tuscany, is particularly recommended.

Famous writers, painters and poets such as Stendhal, Lawrence and Cassola drew their great inspiration from the impressive landscape and history of this extremely attractive area of ​​Tuscany.

The picturesque town guardistallo is located halfway between the communities, each approx. 3 km away montescudaio and Casale Maritime in the hilly hinterland of the Etruscan Coast. 

Two charming little towns on the eastern slope of Poggio La Croce. Both offer lovely, relaxed “history lessons” with their typical medieval towns. The “Palazzo Pretorio” with its stately arcades and the church “San Biagio” in Montecatini Val di Cecina, as well as the beautiful castle of Montegemoli are both buildings that should definitely not be missed in this region.

Holiday rentals near Guardistallo and the Etruscan Coast:

• Agriturismo Guardistallo 5
• Agriturismo Santa Luce
• Farm Crespina 2
• B&B Guardistallo 4
• Cottage Guardistallo 2
• Cottage La Sassa
• Holiday home Guardistallo 3 
• Country villa Guardistallo

S. Miniato the city of truffles and delicacies”

In San Miniato, culture and quality of life form a beneficial interweaving of the urban fabric of the old town with the untouched, rural hinterland. The point of contact between town and country is the food culture, which in San Miniato is deeply rooted in the tradition of ancient agriculture. San Miniato is one of the most extensive and richest truffle areas in Europe. The white truffle of the San Miniato hills, the most precious species of this gastronomic delicacy, is the local trademark.

The truly unique truffle from San Miniato, together with numerous other local agricultural products, forms an incomparable collection of culinary delights and delicacies. The history of all these specialties is mixed with that of the municipality of San Miniato itself, which for a long time preferred to produce its delicacies only for itself rather than market them. This applies to wine and olive oil, the fear of an area best suited to this, especially to the production of Vinsanto from the light grapes of San Colombano.

The artichokes of San Miniato, one of the most flavorful variants of this vegetable, were well known even in the Medici cuisine. The tobacco type Kentucky, imported from North America two centuries ago, is also highly valued and the Tuscan cigar was produced from it. The almost Romanesque-looking facilities of the Tabaccaie, the hand-operated drying houses for tobacco leaves, still adorn the landscape around San Miniato, similar to Cuba.

This culture of good food is also expressed in the technical intelligence and commercial ability to transform existing raw materials in such a way that ancient pleasures and new delicacies can be obtained in equal measure. Modernity has not diminished this centuries-old knowledge, but rather revitalized it. As a historic Lombard and medieval town, San Miniato has long had a tradition of carefully processing pork and pork blood. The Mediterranean 'White Guild' of flour production is also firmly rooted in the local pastry shops and bakeries.

San Miniato is a city of delicacies, of tasteful delights that have been handed down from the kitchens of the ancient monasteries, the medieval city districts and the more than thirty estates that are already listed in a fiefdom deed from the year 938. The surrounding area of ​​San Miniato is like a precious shrine that is slowly opening up. In the alleys of the old town, on the countless paths of the vast landscape between thousand-year-old parishes and hamlets, lives the long-established culture of warm yet discreet hospitality that has known how to preserve these delicacies.

Holiday homes near San Miniato:

• Country residence San Miniato 2
• Holiday home Fucecchio
• Holiday home Palaia 1
• Holiday home Palaia 2
• Villa Marti 1
• Villa Marti 2 
• Villa Marti 3
• Villa Marti 4

On the right bank of the Arno, 6 km to the southwest, you will find the Romanesque basilica “San Piero a Grado”. Already in the 6th century. founded at the place where Peter came ashore from Jerusalem (at that time the place was still by the sea). In the 11th century built, you will find the typical features of Pisan architecture consisting of tuff and marble and rhombuses. There is also a wonderful, well-preserved cycle of frescoes in the main nave. Particularly romantic to look at: the heavenly Jerusalem guarded by angels.

The “Tenuta di San Rossore” is located about 4 km west of Pisa. A wonderful pine park that is now part of the nature reserve “Parco Naturale Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli” (tours with advance reservations). The estate (open on public holidays) with a horse racing track was once owned by the Medici and is now the seat of the President.

City of many eras in the Tuscan hills – spectacular views “on the trail of the past!”

The 3000! - year-long history of this city makes it a very special - almost magical place. You can find something from almost every era in this city, which is why you can experience it as a real “treasure chest”. You can almost feel “the divine beauty” around the landscape of Volterra! In 1927, the English writer DH Lawrence was completely overwhelmed - almost speechless - by the incredible - one even speaks of the "most beautiful" view in Tuscany!

“La Porta all'Arco” – the brilliant city gate and the remains of the associated city wall still “testify” to the unique Etruscan period, which is further emphasized by the diverse archaeological finds. In the “Museo Etrusco Guarnacci” you can marvel at individually crafted votive figures, wonderful gold jewelry, and the landmark of Volterra: the figure “Ombra della Sera” (Evening Shadow), which impresses with its unique profile. Due to its historically extremely well-preserved “epochal change”, Volterra can provide a fantastic insight into bygone times in various museums, art galleries and palaces (e.g. Pinacoteca Civica, Museo dell' Opera, Minucci Solaini and much more).

At one of the best-preserved medieval squares in Italy: the “Piazza dei Piori” with the palace of the same name, you should treat yourself to a break to take in the flair and magnificence of the “long-gone but still “extremely worth experiencing culture”.

Another captivating, overwhelming place from the past is the excavation of the Teatro Romano (Roman Theater), which was responsible for “tragedy and comedy” from early times.

Alabaster craftsmanship is inextricably linked to the city! When you visit the numerous exhibitions and the small craft shops scattered throughout the city, you will also capture the much-said almost magical atmosphere. A great atmosphere, which is an extremely successful balancing act between old and new art, history and culture.

Volterra is also famous for extremely good “mangiare”. The typical Tuscan cuisine, particularly the game specialties and the warm-hearted nature of the residents, invite you to make yourself comfortable here and strengthen your body and soul.

During the summer the whole city is often on its feet. Starting in 1998, the Middle Ages come back to life every year in the second half of August. On two Sundays visitors can experience what Volterra was like on festival days in the 14th century. looked like.

Another highlight of the event, which is very popular and attended by extremely large numbers, is the choir festival on the last Saturday in September.

Volterra's events calendar offers something for every taste, whether in the city or in the wonderfully spacious surroundings, which again offers "more than 10 possibilities" (whether on foot, by bike, or even on horseback)! You will enjoy staying here!

Holiday homes near Volterra

• Agriturismo Peccioli 3
• Bed and Breakfast Lajatico 
• Cottage Tuscany 2
• Holiday home Morrona 2
• Holiday home Selvatelle
• Holiday home Tuscany
• Apartments Chianni 8  
• Terricciola Estate
• Country house Chianni 4
• Country house Volterra 2
• Country residence Santopietro  
• Villa Chianni 9 
• Villa Peccioli 5
• Terricciola Winery