Cittadella Nuova, Public garden and national heritage site in Pisa, Italy
Cittadella Nuova is a fortified garden along the Arno River in Pisa, positioned between two bridges and surrounded by defensive walls built centuries ago. The space features grassy areas, walking paths, and sections of the old fortification structures that define its layout.
Construction of the fortress began in 1440 under Florentine control as one of Italy's early military structures designed to resist cannon fire. In the late 1700s the property changed hands to a merchant family who transformed portions into private gardens.
The name "Cittadella Nuova" refers to the new fortress that Pisa needed in the 15th century to protect itself. Today visitors walk through gardens surrounded by fortification walls, experiencing how military structures were repurposed into green spaces for the community.
The garden is freely accessible and sits directly along the river with good walking paths throughout. Summer brings outdoor theater, concerts, and film screenings, so checking ahead helps plan your visit around scheduled events.
Large sections of the original buildings were destroyed during World War II, yet the fortress foundations and perimeter walls still stand today. This makes the site a quiet reminder of wartime damage and reconstruction in Pisa's recent past.
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