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[[Image:Pisa.jpg|right|200px]]

[[Image:Pisa.jpg|thumb|200px|This area of Pisa is known as the Piazza dei Miracoli]]

'''Pisa''' Western Tuscany, [[Italy]], is an Italian city famous by its [[Leaning Tower of Pisa|leaning tower]].  

'''Pisa''' is a city in Western [[Tuscany]], [[Italy]], famous for its [[Leaning Tower of Pisa|leaning tower]]. A popular [[tourist]] venue and a [[university]] center, Pisa, which counts more than 87,500 inhabitants, is one of the most important cities of [[Tuscany]].

 

The exact origins of the city are unknown: different theories consider Pisa to have been founded by the [[Celts]], the [[Greek]], the [[Trojan]]s, or the [[Etruscans]]. What is certain is that the city is very ancient, and even the [[Romans]] considered it to be so. In the Roman era, it served as an important military port in the [[Mediterranean]]; after the fall of the [[Roman Empire]] the city slowly grew in size and importance, being easily defendable because of its geography. With the [[Crusades]], the city became a very wealthy and powerful naval power. It is in these period, the [[cathedral]], the famous leaning tower, and the baptistery were built with the wealth gained from the plunder of Muslim and Byzantine lands, and from commerce. After a crippling naval defeat against Genova at the Battle of Meloria (1284), the city started a steady decline and never regained its former power. In 1406, Pisa was conquered by [[Florence]]. In the 16th century, no longer having any military or political power, Pisa became an important cultural and scientific centre.

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Pisa is crammed full of wonderful, historical monuments and buildings dating back many hundreds of years and much of Pisa has retained its [[medieval]] appearance. Pisa is also known for its excellent university, which was established in 1343 and has become one of Italy's top schools. [http://www.pisa.world-guides.com/]

Mostly known for its leaning tower, Pisa has many more wonderful historical monuments and buildings dating back many hundreds of years and much of Pisa has retained its [[medieval]] appearance. Pisa is also known for its excellent University, which was established in 1343 and has become one of Italy's top institutes of higher learning.<ref>http://www.pisa.world-guides.com/</ref>

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== External links ==

== External links ==

[[Category:Tourist Attractions]][[Category:Italy]]

[[Category:Tourist Attractions]]

[[Category:Italian Cities and Towns]]