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Knights’ Square: The Medieval Heart of Pisa with Renaissance Palaces

18/03/2026 - By - Art, Culture, Day trips, UNESCO Heritage, Weekend

Knights’ Square offers an authentic experience away from the crowds of the Leaning Tower. Here you’ll find perfectly preserved Renaissance palaces, such as the Palazzo della Carovana with its unique sgraffito decorations and the Palazzo dell’Orologio, an ancient prison. The square, designed by Giorgio Vasari, is the ideal place to immerse yourself in the history of the Knights of Santo Stefano and medieval Pisa.

• Palazzo della Carovana: Home to the Scuola Normale Superiore, with 16th-century sgraffito façade
• Palazzo dell’Orologio: Tower that served as a prison, linked to the legend of Count Ugolino
• Statue of Cosimo I: Symbol of Medici power over Pisa, work by Pietro Francavilla
• Renaissance atmosphere: Perfectly preserved square, away from mass tourism

Copertina itinerario Knights' Square: The Medieval Heart of Pisa with Renaissance Palaces
Knights’ Square is the historic and political center of Pisa, featuring the Palazzo della Carovana, home to the Scuola Normale Superiore, and the Palazzo dell’Orologio. Discover the history of the Knights of Santo Stefano and the architecture of Giorgio Vasari.

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  • Introduction
  • Historical Notes
  • Palazzo della Carovana: The Hidden Gem
  • The Statue of Cosimo I: A Point of View
  • Why Visit
  • When to go
  • In the Surroundings

    • Introduction

    Leave behind the crowds of the Leaning Tower and immerse yourself in another Pisa, more intimate and authentic. Piazza dei Cavalieri welcomes you with an atmosphere steeped in history and power, where Renaissance palaces still seem to whisper secrets of knights and military orders. It’s not just a square: it’s the medieval heart of Pisa, a place that makes you feel part of a glorious past, far from the usual selfies. Walking through it is like leafing through a stone book, with every building having a story to murmur in your ear.
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    Historical Notes

    This square was not born by chance. In the 16th century, Cosimo I de’ Medici transformed it into the headquarters of the Order of the Knights of Santo Stefano, a military body that protected the Mediterranean from pirates. The architect Giorgio Vasari redesigned everything, giving the square the majestic appearance you see today. Previously, it was the Roman Forum of Pisa, then it became the political center in the Middle Ages. Every stone here has witnessed battles, ceremonies, and the slow decline of the Maritime Republic.

    • 11th century: political center of the Republic of Pisa
    • 1562: Cosimo I founds the Order of the Knights
    • Late 1500s: Vasarian renovation
    • Today: home to the Scuola Normale Superiore
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    Palazzo della Carovana: The Hidden Gem

    When you look at the facade of the Palazzo della Carovana, you’ll immediately notice those graffiti and coats of arms that seem drawn by a slightly mad artist. In reality, they are the work of Tommaso Battista del Verrocchio and Alessandro Forzori, who in the 16th century created this masterpiece of sgraffito, unique in Tuscany. Each symbol tells a chivalric virtue: the lion for strength, the owl for wisdom. Entering the atrium is an experience: the frescoed ceilings make you look up and you almost forget you’re in a university school. It’s a shame that the interior rooms are only visitable on special occasions, but the exterior alone is worth the trip.
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    The Statue of Cosimo I: A Point of View

    At the center of the square stands the statue of Cosimo I, which seems to gaze down at you with a somewhat stern demeanor. Placed there in 1596, the work of Pietro Francavilla, it’s not just a monument: it’s the symbol of Medici power over Pisa. The curious thing? If you walk around it, you’ll notice the base is covered with Latin inscriptions praising the Grand Duke. I find it has a somewhat theatrical air, as if it’s still playing the part of the ruler. In the evening, with the lights illuminating it, it takes on an almost magical atmosphere, though some say it appears more imposing during the day.
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    Why Visit

    Here you breathe the Pisa of the Pisans, not that of hurried tourists. It’s a place where you can sit on a bench and imagine knights in armor, without having to fight for space. Then, the architectural details are a treasure trove: from the coats of arms on the facades to the kneeling windows of the Clock Palace. And don’t forget that it’s free, always open, and just steps away from everything. Perfect for a cultural break that doesn’t require rigid schedules.
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    When to go

    The best time? Late autumn afternoon, when the low sun bathes the buildings in a warm honey hue and shadows stretch across the stone. In summer it’s hot, and the square can feel a bit deserted during the midday hours. Spring brings a delicate light that highlights the details of the sgraffiti. Early morning is quiet, but it loses some of that cozy atmosphere it has when there are a few students and locals around. I’ve also been there in a light rain, and the wet effect on the stone was evocative.
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    In the Surroundings

    From here, take a few steps and you’ll find yourself at the Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, right next to the square. Inside, you’ll find naval trophies and banners captured in battle, a perfect complement to the chivalric history. Then, if you want a contrast, head to the Lungarno and look for the ancient medieval noble towers that rise among the buildings: the Silk Tower or the Hunger Tower tell another side of Pisa, the mercantile and familial one.
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    💡 Did You Know…?

    Did you know that the Palazzo dell’Orologio was called the ‘Tower of Hunger’? According to legend, Count Ugolino della Gherardesca was imprisoned here, the protagonist of a tragic story of betrayal and death by starvation narrated by Dante in the Divine Comedy. Although the historical facts are debated, the atmosphere of the tower still evokes that tale. Also, on the facade of the Palazzo della Carovana, look for the knights’ coats of arms: each tells a story of nobility and maritime deeds. The statue of Cosimo I de’ Medici in the center of the square recalls Florentine rule, a detail that explains much about Tuscan history.