Piazza dei Cavalieri

Welcome to Piazza dei Cavalieri, the Knights' Square, a space that stands as the second most important piazza in Pisa after the Square of Miracles. If the Square of Miracles represents the religious soul of the city, this square…

The focal point of the square is undoubtedly the Palazzo della Carovana, the former headquarters of the Order of Saint Stephen and now the main building of the Scuola Normale Superiore. Designed by Giorgio Vasari between 1562 and…

Standing directly in front of the Palazzo della Carovana is the monumental statue of Cosimo I de' Medici, executed by the sculptor Pietro Francavilla in 1596 based on a design by Giambologna. This is not just a portrait; it is a…

To the right of the Palazzo della Carovana stands the Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, the only church in Pisa built in the late Renaissance style. Also designed by Vasari, it was intended to be the spiritual home of the…

On the northern side of the square sits the Palazzo dell'Orologio, or the Clock Palace. This building is famous not just for its architecture, but for the chilling legend it houses within its walls. …

As you observe the students moving in and out of the Palazzo della Carovana, you are witnessing the modern chapter of the square's history. In 1810, Napoleon Bonaparte founded the Scuola Normale Superiore here, modeled after the…

To understand the layout of Piazza dei Cavalieri, one must look at the way the streets enter the space. Historically called the 'Piazza delle Sette Vie,' it is the meeting point of seven ancient streets that radiate out into the…

As we conclude our time in Piazza dei Cavalieri, take a moment to absorb the layered history that surrounds you. We have seen how the medieval Republic’s heart was repurposed as a Renaissance stage for the Order of Saint Stephen,…