Piazza dei Cavalieri
Piazza dei Cavalieri
4.5
About
Walking around this central square, one can find the Palace of the Scuola Normale of Pisa, the Church of S. Stefano and the Palace of the Orologio, where Count Ugolino della Gherardesca was imprisoned and condemned to die, as narrated by Dante in the Divine Comedy.
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4.5
1,832 reviews
Excellent
833
Very good
747
Average
212
Poor
29
Terrible
11
backpacker31
Boynton Beach, FL5,880 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
Definitely worth a quick look when strolling through the old sections of Pisa. The highlight in this square is the Palazzo della Carovana with its fascinating sgraffiti. Santo Stefano Dei Cavalieri is adjacent and also worth a look. Be aware that this square is shared between pedestrians and cars. I wasn’t aware of this and nearly got run over as I was taking a photo!
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eyekaytoo
Leverkusen, Germany3,143 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Walking just a little way from the hectic area of the Leaning Tower of Pisa we came across this square which was practically deserted. It's the second biggest square in Pisa - The Knights Square! Nowadays it is a centre of education, being the main house of the Scuola Normale di Pisa, a higher learning institution part of the University.
We walked slowly around it trying to keep to the shadows of the buildings as it was a blisteringly hot day in August. There was nowhere to sit down here for a coffee or an ice cream so inevitably we moved out of the square to find refreshments elsewhere.
We walked slowly around it trying to keep to the shadows of the buildings as it was a blisteringly hot day in August. There was nowhere to sit down here for a coffee or an ice cream so inevitably we moved out of the square to find refreshments elsewhere.
Written 27 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom_Blancmange
Malmesbury, UK908 contributions
Sept 2022 • Family
Quite a pretty square though much of it is covered up and undergoing restoration. The painted municipal buildings are interesting but really it is only a place to pass through. Nowhere to sit or eat on the square itself, though obviously there are plenty of places in the streets around. We made a specific point of going to this square given the rave reviews and to be honest it was a bit disappointing!
Written 3 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joopb
Leidschendam, The Netherlands819 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
A totally different atmosphere when compared to the Duomo and its surroundings.I liked it just as I liked the rest of the city.
Written 11 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margie D
York, PA1,795 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
Only a 5-6 minute walk from the Leaning Tower, this lovely, quiet Piazza is historical. Once a political center, it became headquarters of the Order of the Knights of St Stephen, and now an educational center for the university.
Written 9 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan S
Cardiff, UK604 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
A lesser known attraction in Pisa that is worth visiting. Everyone thinks that all there is to see in pisa is the leaning tower or the duomo, but this is a great piazza and quieter than the Piazza duomo.
Written 7 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanette A
Island of Malta, Malta150 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
This is another proof Pisa is not only famous for its Leaning Tower. This square is so beautiful; it was definitely another attraction i absolutely wanted to see in Pisa.
Standing near Cosimo's Statue and going round in 360 degrees to view all the beautiful buildings; there is such rich history through it all, some of which stand out more than the others.
The main building is Palazzo della Carovana, decorated with such beautiful wall decor. It was the headquarters of the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen, now it is a cultural attraction and study for the presence of the headquarters of the school of Pisa.
St. Stephen's Church, another beautiful facade in white Carrara marble.
Palazzo dell' orologio, not to miss the nice frescoes at the inner vault arch.
I recommend to search a bit on the buildings and their rich history to appreciate them more when you visit.
Standing near Cosimo's Statue and going round in 360 degrees to view all the beautiful buildings; there is such rich history through it all, some of which stand out more than the others.
The main building is Palazzo della Carovana, decorated with such beautiful wall decor. It was the headquarters of the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen, now it is a cultural attraction and study for the presence of the headquarters of the school of Pisa.
St. Stephen's Church, another beautiful facade in white Carrara marble.
Palazzo dell' orologio, not to miss the nice frescoes at the inner vault arch.
I recommend to search a bit on the buildings and their rich history to appreciate them more when you visit.
Written 19 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sonja M
Hove, UK725 contributions
Aug 2019
A haven of peace and and tranquility , just a few minutes from the mayhem of the leaning tower.
The whole square is surrounded by beautiful buildings and churches.
The whole square is surrounded by beautiful buildings and churches.
Written 17 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sanju_222323
New Jersey16,676 contributions
Sept 2019
Just a few streets west of the main route from the station to the tower, many tourists miss this Piazza. Known as the Knights’ Square, this piazza has served life as a political center and has been home to a bunch of Knights (St Stephen’s). In the center of the piazza, there is a statue of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, sculpted by Francavilla.
Currently, it is the home of the Scuola Normale Superiore, commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to be based on the model of the Ecole in Paris. The greatest Italian professors studied here, like Antonio Pacinotti, Carducci, Pascoli, Fermi and Rubbia. On the left, there is Palazzo dell’ Orologio, rebuilt on the foundations of two historic towers of the Della Gherardesca family. it is lined with splendidly decorated buildings, has for centuries been the political heart of Pisa and is the second most important square after The Square of Miracles. A visit to the Renaissance church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri will give you a real insight into the colorful maritime history of the city.
These days the students have taken over the main building (Palace of the Caravan) is part of the city’s university.
Currently, it is the home of the Scuola Normale Superiore, commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to be based on the model of the Ecole in Paris. The greatest Italian professors studied here, like Antonio Pacinotti, Carducci, Pascoli, Fermi and Rubbia. On the left, there is Palazzo dell’ Orologio, rebuilt on the foundations of two historic towers of the Della Gherardesca family. it is lined with splendidly decorated buildings, has for centuries been the political heart of Pisa and is the second most important square after The Square of Miracles. A visit to the Renaissance church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri will give you a real insight into the colorful maritime history of the city.
These days the students have taken over the main building (Palace of the Caravan) is part of the city’s university.
Written 25 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Wandering Reviewer
Melbourne, Australia12,190 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
The Knights Square is a landmark in Pisa and is the second main square of the city. This square was the political centre in medieval Pisa. After the middle of 16th century the square became the headquarters of the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen. Now it is a centre of education, being the main house of the Scuola Normale di Pisa, a higher learning institution part of the University.
It is located at the same place as the forum of the antique Portus Pisanus, the harbor of Pisa in Roman age. The square, known as Square of the seven streets (Piazza delle sette vie) was the political heart of the city, where the Pisans used to discuss their problems or celebrate their victories.
It's easy to navigate your way around here with plenty of wonderful architecture to view. Watch out for the horse and carts coming through as they don't give way.
If you're looking for somewhere to eat, there are plenty of places to dine around the area.
It is located at the same place as the forum of the antique Portus Pisanus, the harbor of Pisa in Roman age. The square, known as Square of the seven streets (Piazza delle sette vie) was the political heart of the city, where the Pisans used to discuss their problems or celebrate their victories.
It's easy to navigate your way around here with plenty of wonderful architecture to view. Watch out for the horse and carts coming through as they don't give way.
If you're looking for somewhere to eat, there are plenty of places to dine around the area.
Written 30 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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