Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
Along the Arno
Pisa comes into its own along the Arno river banks. Splendid
palazzi,
painted a multitude
of hues, line the southern
lungarno
(riverside embankment) from where Pisa's main shop-
ping boulevard, Corso Italia, legs it south to the train station.
Pisa's medieval heart lies north of the water. From riverside
Piazza Cairoli
with its even-
ing bevy of bars and
gelaterie,
meander along Via Cavour and get lost in the surrounding
narrow lanes and alleys. A daily fresh-produce market fills
Piazza delle Vettovaglie
, ringed
with 15th-century porticoes and popular
aperitivo
bar and cafe terraces. And marvel at
Stretto)
that dates all the way back to a 15th-century election for the rector of a local
school.
interior is currently closed to the public.
ART GALLERY
Palazzo Blu
(
www.palazzoblu.it
;
Lungarno Gambacorti 9; 10am-7pm Tue-Fri, to 8pm Sat & Sun)
Facing
the river is this magnificently restored, 14th-century building that has a striking dusty-blue
facade. Its over-the-top 19th-century interior decoration is the perfect backdrop for the
Foundation CariPisa's art collection - predominantly Pisan works from the 14th to the
20th century, plus various temporary exhibitions (charges may apply for the latter).
Museo Nazionale
ART GALLERY
di San Matteo
(Piazza San Matteo in Soarta; adult/reduced €5/2.50; 8.30am-7pm Tue-Sat, to 1.30pm Sun)
This in-
spiring repository of medieval masterpieces sits in a 13th-century Benedictine convent on
the Arno's northern waterfront boulevard. The collection of paintings from the Tuscan
school (c 12th to 14th centuries) is notable, with works by Lippo Memmi, Taddeo Gaddi,
Gentile da Fabriano and Ghirlandaio. Don't miss Masaccio's
St Paul,
Fra Angelico's
Madonna of Humility
and Simone Martini's
Polyptych of Saint Catherine.
