Piazza dei Cavalieri

The Piazza dei Cavalieri, also known as the Square of the Knights, is an architectural masterpiece that was commissioned by the Medici and designed by Giorgio Vasari. This historic piazza, located in the historic centre of Pisa, once served as a demonstration area for the power of the Medici.

The piazza was the scene of important historical events. The handing over of the keys in the square in 1406 symbolised the loss of Pisa's independence and the transfer of the city's rule to its rival Florence. This marked a historic defeat for the municipality of Pisa.

Later, Piazza dei Cavalieri housed the central buildings of the Order of St Stephen, after whose knights the square is still named today. Today, most of the buildings on the square are institutes of the Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, a renowned university. The piazza exudes a historic atmosphere and impresses with its magnificent architecture, including the Palazzo della Carovana. The statues in the square, such as the monument to Cosimo I de' Medici, contribute to the cultural significance of the piazza.