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The
other is a military reason: in fact, from this corner of the town, through the
bridge over the Auser (the river that flanked the northern part of the square),
entered the trading route that connected Pisa with Liguria and with France, and
that was a possible way in for the enemy armies.
The
construction of the walls took two centuries, at the end of which the circle of
walls extended for 7 kilometres, with an average height of 11 meters and a width
of 2 meters. They represent the period of greatest urban development of Pisa,
began with the boost of economic welfare produced by the intense sea trade and
that determined the extension of the town beyond the inner early-medieval walls.
The
first part of the walls was built with rusticated ashlars from Livorno (cemented
sand extracted near Livorno), and went from the north-western corner, from the
tower of Santa Maria (also called tower of the Auser), to the close tower of the
Lion, so-called for the great marble sculpture that still today surmounts the
gate. This part was built in just a few years. On the other hand, the rest of
the walls were built in various phases, as confirmed by the different materials
used.
The
tower of Santa Maria was of fundamental strategic importance, controlling the
entrance to the bridge below. It was heightened by using a different material (sedimentary
breccia from Asciano), also used from 1261 to heighten the rest of the walls.
The tower was connected to the walkway on the walls through two narrow portals.
In
1499, during the terrible Florentine siege, this tower, like all the others, was
reduced to the height of the walls, and it was built higher again only during
the mid-19th century, when also the crowning brick merlons were added.
The
visit to this tower allows an enchanting view from above on one of the most
remarkable squares in the world.
Written by Lucia
Casarosa
Translation by Sara
Burchielli
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