Pisa Medieval City Walls

• April to May and in September: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

• March and October: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

• June to August:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

  • Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm

• November to February: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm

In case of bad weather, above all strong wind and rain, the itinerary will be closed for security reasons, even without previous notice.

Last admission 30 minutes before closure.

• Children under the age of 18 not accompanied by an adult are not allowed to access the site.
• The route is PARTIALLY accessible to persons with disabilities.
• The supervisory staff is responsible for the safety of the route and the good progress of the visit: the indications and requirements of the supervisory staff must, therefore, be carefully followed.
• The walkway and the various architectural structures that constitute the historical monumental complex have irregular pavement, "false steps", access doors with reduced height: visitors must pay attention to the safety instructions. Site management cannot be held liable for any damage to things and persons arising from such characteristics and the consequences caused by and/or deriving from vertigo. Leaning over guard rails, climbing them, the battlements, and the walls are strictly forbidden
• Staining, writing, painting, and spoiling the architectural structures of the City Walls is strictly forbidden.
• It is forbidden to throw rubbish and objects along the path and from the path to the outside areas.
• Big backpacks, trolley, suitcases, and bulky luggage are not allowed
• Inside the trail structure, it is forbidden to carry out any non-authorized paid services
• In case a fire should break out, keep calm. If the evacuation of the route is arranged, it is necessary to proceed in a disciplined and orderly way respecting the indications of the staff.
• In case of great affluence and in any situation that could compromise the safety of persons or the site, we will proceed to the temporary closing of the entrances, or to the modification of the opening hours. We reserve the right to take every necessary measure, imposed by circumstances, to ensure the safety of people or things.
• Any damage caused by the visitors to the structure remains at the expense of the visitor. Site management declines any responsibility for damage to persons and/or things caused even wrongly by the visitor.
• Parents or persons substituting them assume the responsibility for the minors entrusted to them for the duration of the stay on the walkway.
• Smoking is prohibited on the stretch between Torre Santa Maria and Porta Nuova and in the access/exit towers (including electronic cigarettes)
• No paper, cans, bottles or other waste can be abandoned along the way, except in the appropriate containers. It is forbidden to throw waste and objects on the walkway and from the walkway to the outside areas.
• Small and medium size dogs are allowed access only if they are fitted with a muzzle and kept on a leash. Dow owners must immediately collect dog waste with a special scoop or bag.
• Taking photographs and video footage is permitted except in the sections of the walkway marked with a special sign, in order to guarantee the respect of the neighboring properties and privacy of the inhabitants.
• Each group must indicate the name of the group leader. For schoolchildren, the teacher(s) is/are considered in charge of the group. They must keep the group together and ensure that they behave in accordance with the regulation.
• To protect the participants of the guided tours, it is not possible to join such a tour without adequate justification (receipt of payment for the guided tour).
• Failure to comply with the requirements of this regulation may result in the removal and, where appropriate, the commencement of judicial proceedings.
• Visitors can report any comments and/or complaints on the appropriate register deposited in the ticket office.
• In case of bad weather, especially strong wind and rain, the route will be closed for safety reasons, even on the same day, without previous notice.
   

There are 4 access points:

• Torre Santa Maria (overlooking Piazza dei Miracoli); The tower is located at the end of the square of Miracles behind the cemetery near Porta Nuova
• Torre Piezometrica, inside the university complex Fibonacci (ex Marzotto) with accesses from Via Buonarroti, via S. Francesco and Via Vittorio Veneto
• Torre Piazza delle Gondole
• Torre Piazza del Rosso

Accessibility: The City Wall walkway is partially accessible. Access for visitors with disabilities is at Torre Piezometrica, Piazza delle Gondole, and Torre di Legno. The walkway route is accessible independently from the Torre di Legno to the Torre del Barbagianni and for the whole stretch from Piazza delle Gondole to Porta Manin.

How Pisa became a center of great importance

In the 12th century, Pisa was at the center of an area where four areas of users for its seaport converged: The Versilia, the Lucchese, the valley of the Arno, the Maremma. The roads, which in general followed the coasts and the heights, were long, slow, and difficult, therefore the waterways were the most frequented. The residential nucleus of Pisa in the High Middle Ages developed, with a north-south pattern, at the confluence between two rivers, the Auser, and the Arno. This strategic position contributed to its growing importance.

Period of construction of the medieval city walls

The construction of the first part near the cathedral, in tufaceous stone, dates from 1154. The first section of gray limestone, called San Giuliano marble, is erected north of the city from 1154 to 1161. The successive sections of the northern part and the whole southern part are built in various phases, from 1161 to 1346 (with grey pink stone from Asciano). There are further interventions during the 15th century and later between the late 19th and early 20th century with demolitions.