Dating back so far as the 6th century B.C. Etruscan presence can be detected in the area we now call Pisa. But it''s history is obscure until 179 B.C. when it became a Roman colony of great importance due to its strategic coastal location. The city would be a valued ally of Rome, greatly contributing to the long wars with the Ligurians and the Carthaginians. In 89 B.C. the city would be declared a Roman municipium, and this political autonomy would foster important growth for the city as she established a network of contacts with various countries, mostly military and commercial. It is these travellers who would impact the customs and habits of the people of the city through cuisine and architecture, influencing the further development of their culture.
Pisa remained an integral naval base for the Romans. In the Middle Ages the city was one of 4 ''cittą marinara'' or powerful maritime cities, including Venice, Genoa and Amalfi. Each of these towns had both a merchant and naval fleet, which controlled all the seas and travel around Italy. Pisa reached her pinnacle of splendor in the 11th and 12th centuries when it''s expeditions gained power over the islands of Corsica, Sicily and Sardinia. The entire Tuscan coast from Portovenere to Civitavecchia would also be included in her domain. The economy of the city flourished, it''s wealth gaining rapidly. Her military and commercial power would soon expand East along the path of the Crusaders. Industry was booming at home as well, as wool and leather would become major exports for the city.
During this time the city undertook the construction of several grand architectural projects lending to the birth of a new architectural style. Notably the Campo dei Miracoli, or the Plaza of Miracles, the Duomo and the baptistery were the most opulent of this Pisa Romanesque design. No expense was spared as creators used marble sculpture and intricate murals inside the walls of the Cathedral created by the lands greatest artists, sculptors and architects including Nicola Pisano whose Gothic sculptures would grace these marvelous grounds and whose works would highly influence Italian sculpture during this period. The Duomo''s campanile, or bell tower, would begin it''s introduction into world fame in 1173. The sandy, water-filled foundation for the tower created an apparent lean that would become evident by the completion of the 3rd floor halting construction indefinitely. The city would continue to grow and prosper maintaining supremacy over the waters of the Mediterranean.
The 13th century would prove nearly fatal for the fine city. In 1284 Genoa would defeat Pisa in the Battle of Meloria thus activating a period of decline. Losing every last ship from their fleet the city''s economy would stagnate leaving her powerless and her once significant port to fill with silt and be rendered useless. From 1200 through 1350 various attempts were made at completing the Cathedrals tower. Many tried to correct the lean by tilting the tower in the opposite direction. Word spread throughout the land of the ''leaning tower of Pisa,'' and as early as the 13th century visitors began to travel to see the marvel for themselves. This influx in travelers would prove vital to resurrecting the city''s desperate economy and begin a life long tradition of curious tourists traveling to the city for a peak of their own.
Eventually the town would be acquired by the powerful Tuscan entity that was Florence. Under the Florentine rule of Lorenzo il Magnifico, the town saw a new period of splendor and the urban landscape underwent important transformations. Revitalization efforts and significant contributions by the Florentine''s would include wonderful buildings in the Renaissance style. In 1472 the University was founded where Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) taught Physics, thus beginning a valuable scientific tradition that continues today. The city would continue to expand on her own grounds until she surpassed her original city walls, and finally in 1860 would be accepted into the Kingdom of Italy. Her most recent history is marked by great sufferance after the damages she sustained during World War II. The Mezzogiorno, south of the river Arno, was nearly destroyed in her entirety. There is much modern, urban development that can be seen when travelling in this district of Pisa today.
