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Torre di Santa Maria e Camminamento delle Mura - Pisa in Tuscany

The high tower stands at the north-west corner of the medieval walls. The structure is made up of tufa, while the upper part is the result of remodelling carried out in modern times. This section is pierced by rectangular archivolted openings. Construction of the city walls began in 1155, during the consulate of Cocco Griffi. The first stretch to be completed extended from the Lion’s Tower to the Santa Maria Tower, which at the time stood on the bridge over the Auser River. These two towers, together with the Santo Stefano and Arno towers, are the oldest. The Santa Maria Tower in particular is closely linked with the structure of the city walls in that the same tufaceous material is found in the face of the tower. The Commune of Pisa determined to begin the fortification of the city from the western area, which was considered important and vulnerable. It was in this area that the principal religious edifices were being built; also, the area was crossed by the road that led from Pisa to the rich French markets. The road entered Pisa through the Lion’s Gate and, passing behind the apse of the cathedral, joined the Via Santa Maria.

Both the road and the Auser River needed to be defended against possible military attacks by the enemies of Pisa. To that end, two towers were erected, the Lion’s Tower guarding the bridge of the same name, and the Santa Maria Tower guarding the river. Thanks to its strategic position, the tower on the Auser River must have fulfilled its function throughout the Middle Ages until 1499, when during the terrible siege of Pisa by the Florentines, the height of the defensive towers was reduced to the level of the city walls. The raised part that is visible today was probably added in the second half of the 19th century and was intended to restore the original appearance of the Santa Maria Tower.

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