Piazza delle Vettovaglie
Visitors can take a welcome break from their Pisa sightseeing with a stop off in the pleasant surroundings of the Piazza delle Vettovaglie.
With a name that literally translates as 'Supply Square' it will come as no surprise to find that a daily food market is held here. The porticoed galleries that surround the square are home to cafes, bars, and a range of bakers and delicatessen-type shops, perfect for stocking up for tasty picnic lunches.
Piazza delle Vettovaglie was built in the 16th-century when Pisa was ruled by the Medicis. It was designed to replace the ancient Piazza del Grano when this became part of the University of Pisa. Today, the square is a pleasing mix of medieval towers and homes along with arches and loggias that bring to mind the work of Florentine architect, Brunelleschi.
Centrally placed in the piazza is a fountain connected to an ancient aqueduct system that brought water in from the surrounding mountains.