PISA. Here is anther ancient city, first Greek, then
Etruscan and Roman; a great Maritime Republic and finally part of the
Medici Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
Pisa developed its own architectural
style by blending classical and oriental forms. Great Italian Gothic
sculpture was also born at Pisa with Nicola Pisano's school which
produced Giovanni Pisano, Arnolfo da Cambia, and Andrea and Nino Pisano.
From the early 11th to the late 14th centuries Pisa was one of the
greatest and most active Italian centers of art. Proof of this is the
remarkable group of buildings constituted by the Cathedral, the
Baptistery, the Leaning Tower and the adjacent Cemetery which, in their
unspoiled isolation, form one of the most solemn and enchanting corners
in all of Italy.
We cannot even attempt to list the works of art
produced by this extraordinary flowering in Pisa: from the superb bronze Doors
by Bonanno (late 12th century) to the Pulpit by Giovanni Pisano (1310) in
the Cathedral; from the mosaics, to the paintings by Cimabue, Andrea del
Santo, Beccafumi, and Sodoma; from the inlaid woodwork in the choir, to
the Tomb which Tino da Camaino sculptured for the Emperor Henry VII, and
to the incredible collection of Greek, Roman and medieval sculptures
which throng the four sides of the 14th-15th century Cemetery beneath a
veritable treasure-house of medieval frescoes. The chain of artistic
miracles continues unbroken in architectural setting untouched by the
passing of the centuries.
Having finished our visit to the Cathedral of Pisa and the
surrounding buildings, we go down Via S. Maria to the River Arno, where
we find the church of San Nicola and next, to in the 16th century Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace), overlooking the river: and before reaching the
Citadel, we cross Ponte Solferino and walk down the other side of the
river, coming to San Paolo a Ripa d'Aroo, with a Romanesque facade
similar to that of the Cathedral and containing excellent works of
sculpture. Returning tour walk along the river and passing the bridge,
we come to the extremely charming little church of S. Maria della Spina
a jewel of Pisan-Gothic architecture.
Following the river to Ponte di Mezzo, past a row of
beautiful old palaces, and passing the 17th century Loggia Banchi, we
reach, by way of Via San Martino, in what was the quarter of the Arab
merchants, the very ancient octagonal church of the Holy Sepulcher
(Santo Sepolcro) (12th century), with its picturesque interior. Here
stands the great church of San Martino, containing several beautiful
paintings.
From here we return to the river, cross the Ponte alla
Fortezza, which affords magnificent views of the Lungarni (river banks),
and come to the Lungarno Medicco, where we find the National Museum of
Pisa, an
extremely important collection of paintings (Simone Martini, Fra
Angelico, Masaccio, Gentile da Fin briano, Sodoma, etc., as well as a
superb group of primitives) and of Greek, Roman, medieval and
Renaissance sculpture.
Taking Via Giovanni di Simone, we come to the church
of San Francesco (inside, frescoes by Taddeo Gaddi and Nicolo and Pietro
Gerini), and from there to S. Catering, Gothic, with panel paintings by
Traini and sculpture by Nina Pisano.
We go next to the Palazzo della
Carovana (1562), designed by Vasari, with its painted facade, the
Palazzo dell'Orologio, and the church of S. Stefano dei Cavalieri.
We
are now in the center of Pisa and may wander through its ancient
streets, lined with beautiful buildings.
We will pass the handsome
church of S. Michele in Borgo, with Gothic arches and a facade in the
Pisan style (14th century), on our way to Piazza Garibaldi, the bustling
center of today's city life.
