Pisa

Pisa is a city in Tuscany, central Italy, situated on the Arno River near its mouth on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital of the Province of Pisa and a historic maritime and commercial center. From the Middle Ages onward, Pisa developed as a powerful republic and trading hub, contributing to art, science, and navigation, and remains a major cultural and educational center in the region.

The Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage site, gathers Pisa's most renowned landmarks: the Cathedral (Duomo di Pisa), the Baptistery, the Camposanto Monumentale, and the Leaning Tower. The tower, the bell tower of the cathedral, is famous for its tilt caused by soft subsoil; construction began in 1173 and continued in phases over several decades. Stabilization work in the late 20th and early 21st centuries halted the tilt and opened the site to visitors.

Pisa is the home of the University of Pisa, founded in 1343, one of Europe's oldest universities. The city has long associations with science; Galileo Galilei studied and taught there. The Museo Galileo houses historic scientific instruments and archives related to Galileo and the scientific revolution.

Today Pisa integrates its historic core with a modern urban economy based on education, tourism, and services. The city is accessible by rail and road links to Florence and Livorno, and Galileo Galilei International Airport serves the area. The Arno's Lungarni waterfronts and bridges provide scenic views and a gateway to the region's art, cuisine, and landscapes.