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Pisa - San Martino Quarter

Gloria - Casina di Rosa

Crossing Ponte della Vittoria, we are back in Mezzogiorno, and in particular in the historical quarter of San Martino. This Lungarno is called Lungarno Galilei.

>> See Gloria's Google Map for Pisa

Things to See in Quartiere San Martino

Map of Pisa showing walking route - San Martino Quarter, Touring Club Italiano, Milano

Map of Pisa showing walking route - San Martino Quarter, © Touring Club Italiano, Milano

Giardino Scotto (the Scotto Garden): This fortified area is also known as Fortezza Nuova, (the New Fortress) and it was built by the Florentines after the conquest of Pisa 1406. Now it is a public garden and a great outdoor space for concerts and outdoor cinema.

Palazzo Chiesa: This palazzo was destroyed during World War II but a plaque commemorates the fact that the English poet P. B. Shelley lived here until his death in Viareggio.

Palazzo Lanfranchi: This palazzo houses the many exhibitions organized in Pisa.

The Garden of the Ufficio Fiumi e Fossi: This is the only private garden on the Lungarno. It is said that here was the house of Count Ugolino, destroyed after his betrayal. The ground was cursed and it was prohibited to build in this area.

Palazzo dei Templari (Templars' Palace) and the Church of San Sepolcro: If you are looking for the atmospheres of the DaVinci Code, you have to visit this mysterious and beautiful church. The architect Diotisalvi built it for the Templars according to what was believed to be the shape of Christ's sepulcher. If you go there, take a look at the well by the vestry: the tradition says that this was the well from which Saint Ubaldesca got the miraculous water. Moreover, on the floor there is Maria Mancini's tombstone: she was the Sun King's lover.

Church of San Sepolcro

Via San Martino: This street is reminiscent of Siena. Enter it from Corso Italia. There are many noble palaces here. On the corner with Via la Pera, there is a white sculpture which looks like a "pear": it's an ancient Etruscan funeral stone. Walk in the little square also known as Piazza La Pera (Piazza Gambacorti): it has been recently renovated and it is amazing. Look up, remember? Go back to Via San Martino (excellent restaurants in this area: L'artilafo, Il numero 11, Buca di San Lorenzo) and stop at n.19 to admire the little statue of Kinzica de' Sismondi. Actually, this is a piece of a Roman sarcophagus, but the tradition says that it represents Kinzica. Check the Church of San Martino (1332). On Wednesday morning, there is a little market here. The big city market is in the Parcheggio del Brennero.

That is the end of our walking tour! We hope you now love Pisa as much as we do!

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Gloria lives in Pisa and runs two vacation rentals: Casina di Rosa, a house in a village in the Tuscan countryside south of Siena, and Behind the Tower, an apartment in Pisa.

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Pisa - San Martino Quarter

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