The first stop on any tour of the Province must be Pisa itself; lying on the banks of the Arno, it conserves precious architecture and the memories of its glorious past as a Maritime Republic.
The Campo dei Miracoli complex, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of a piazza of monuments of inestimable value and great appeal for tourists, they are the most representative structures of the city. The white structures of the Duomo and the Baptistry, both in Pisan Romanesque; the Camposanto Monumentale; and the Bell Tower, known as the Leaning Tower and standing out against a green lawn. The Tower's incline, due to subsidence, has made this monument famous the world over, and it is by now the official city symbol.
The old town encompasses Renaissance architecture and churches, while the central Piazza dei Cavalieri is a magnificent sight, home to elaborate 16th-Century buildings, such as the Palazzo dei Cavalieri. Of all the sights, the Museo Nazionale di San Matteo is a must-see. Housed in the former monastery of the church, it holds a valuable collection of paintings on wood with gold background, sculptures, and other works. Do not miss the Church of Santa Maria della Spina, another jewel of the Pisan Gothic architectonic style.
The most popular seaside resorts are Marina di Pisa, with its typical Art Nouveau villas, and Tirrenia, immersed in greenery. The scenic complex of Certosa di Pisa near Calci is also worth a visit, while the typical small town of San Miniato is located on a hill overlooking the Valle dell?Arno (Arno River Valley).
Many are the towns and villages rich in history, above all Volterra. Of ancient origin, it has preserved interesting Etruscan and Roman archaeological finds, as well as a striking old town of a Medieval aspect. Among its main monuments the Duomo, Palazzo dei Priori and an imposing Fortress from the Renaissance stand out.
