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Romanic Architecture around Pisa

Itineraries that trace a unique style

Romanic architecture in and around Pisa shaped Tuscan architecture and left numerous traces all over the area.

During the Golden Period, the Republic of Pisa developed a new style of building churches, which is distinguishable by the use of blind arches decorated with lozenge shapes and the use of white marble with dark stones. It was an innovative language that developed thanks to the budding commercial naval routes that took ships to Byzantium. A notable example of this style is in the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, at one of UNESCO's Heritage Site, the Duomo and the Leaning Tower.

The style reached Lucca, where you can see it in san Michele in Foro and the facade of San Martino. It is also evident in Prato and in the Southeastern part of Tuscany near Volterra and Massa Marittima, in the most important cathedrals.

Even the smaller chapels in the countryside around Pisa show details that are characteristic of this style. To increase awareness of these chapels a new project has been developed called Iterr-Coast European Project, Romanic Itineraries in Corsica, Sardinia and Tuscany. These itineraries include masters of the Romanic style and explain the political, commercial and cultural relationships that developed through these regions.

Tuscany has two main itineraries. The first goes around Monte Pisano, leaving from the Chapel di Pugnano, in the town of San Giuliano, continuing through San Marco a Rigoli, Santa Maria a Mirteto, Church of Santi Ermolao e Giovanni di Calci, Church of Santa Giulia a Caprona, Convent of Sant'Agostino a Nicosia, Church of San Martino al Bagno di Uliveto, Church of Santa Maria a Vicopisano and ending at the Church of Sant'Jacopo in Lupeta a Vicopisano; the second route goes through Valdrea and the Val di Cecina, from Palaia to the Piazza dei Priori in Volterra, an amazing location where a popular new film was set, New Moon.

Here are the details:

First route - Monte Pisano

1. Chiesa di Sant’Jacopo in Lupeta

2. Pieve di Santa Maria a Vicopisano

3. Chiesa di San Martino al Bagno a Uliveto

4. Pieve di Santa Giulia a Caprona

5. Convento di Sant’Agostino a Nicosia

6. Pieve dei Santi Ermolao e Giovanni a Calci

7. Chiesa di Santa Maria a Mirteto

8. Pieve di San Marco a Rigoli

9. Pieve di Santa Maria e San Giovanni a Pugnano

Second route - Valdera - Val di Cecina