History of the city

The former naval power and business metropolis looks back on thousands of years of history, which covers the Etruscans, the Romans, the Middle ages and the Renaissance.

It is thought, that the Greeks and Etruscans settled in the former lagoon, which later became the Arno-Delta.

Roman port

In 180 B.C. the Romans took over the town and fortified a port, to use as a military base for the Mediterranean. The fertile land was useful for shipbuilding, thanks to the quarries and forests surrounding the area.
In 1998, during work on the railway station, Roman ships were discovered, a small archeological jewel.

Pisan Fleet

The Pisan Fleet developed firstly under Byzantine rule, then under the strict Langobards. The time after the Langobards, under the Francs, saw Pisa crumble.

However, the dukes who ruled Tuscany saw to it that Pisa flourished once again.

Powerful naval republic

Thanks to their strategic location next to the waterways, Pisa not only became a naval power, but also became a trading centre with enormous economical power.

Pisa flourished in the Middle Ages as a naval republic. The republic expanded and gained more and more power and influence, even outside of Italy.

Victory over the Saracens

The 11th century was defined by military conflicts with the Saracens, Pisa fought bitterly against their invasion attempts.

In the year 1063, Pisa was victorious against the Saracens in the battle of Palermo and became the most important naval power in the Mediterranean. The construction of the magnificent dome with its famous tower began in this year.

Free citizens

As early as the 11th century, the Pisans, as free citizens, had their own code of law.

Consuls held the fate of the city in their hands. The aristocrats were the dominant party and filed the highest offices in the Republic, the archbishop had great influence.

Crusades and expansion

From 1099, the city republic that was loyal to the emperor, took part in the Crusades, expanded their territory and gained many trading advantages in every eastern port.

Their area of power in Tuscany stretched along the entire coast. Additionally, Sardinia, Sicily, the Balearics, parts of the Middle East, Greece and Northern Africa were all under Pisa's influence- Pisa was a world power.

Conflict of Investitures

From 1100, there was a continuous rivalry with the Guelfic (loyal to the Pope) Florence and Lucca as well as the rival naval power Geneva.

This resulted in many bitter battles on land and the sea. The fall of the city began at the end of the 13th century. Pisa lost an historical battle in 1284 against Geneva.

Economical and political fall

As a result of the victory of Geneva, a Guelfe was placed as the leader of the once free republic. The Pisans were able to oust him, however, political conflicts within the city, as well as the death of Henry VII. weakened Pisa's influence.

Additionally, Pisa's port at the Arno-Delta silted up. Today, only a few kilometres separate Pisa from the Mediterranean and yet this was enough to make the former port metropolis sink into economical crisis.

Florentine Victory

In 1406, Pisa lost its independence to its rival Florence. The Florentine Medici occupied the city, their rule was strict.

For over 100 years, the city once magnificent city was barely maintained. It was not until the 19th century that the city surprisingly gained importance again.

Grand duchy Tuscany

In 1569, Tuscany became a grand duchy under the Medici Cosimo I. The last Medici died in 1737, thusly the grand duchy fell to the Habsburg-Lorraine house.

The new dukes, with the exception of the Napoleonic occupation, ruled Pisa from 1799 until the unification of Italy, which guaranteed the equality of all citizens by law.

Rebuilding and Italian unification

The infrastructure was improved again under the rule of the Hapsburg dukes from 1814, the Arno was regulated. Even the foundation of Pisa University dates back to this time.

In 1848, Tuscany gave itself a constitution, a Republic was declared the following year. In 1860, Tuscany voted in a referendum to join the kingdom of Italy.

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