Bastion Parlascio, Medieval bastion in Pisa, Italy
The Bastion of Parlascio stands as a fortified structure integrated into Pisa's ancient city walls, featuring robust stone construction and strategic positioning near the Roman archaeological site known as Bagni di Nerone.
Originally built in 1320 as a gate tower by Jacopo di Ridolfo, the bastion was later redesigned in 1543 by architect Nanni Unghero as one of Italy's first polygonal fortifications, incorporating 12th-century defensive remains.
The bastion represents the evolution of Italian military architecture from medieval to Renaissance periods, serving as a museum space that illustrates Pisa's defensive strategies and urban development through educational panels and exhibitions.
Open to visitors from 10:00 to 20:00 during July and August, the bastion offers guided tours with explanatory panels detailing its restoration phases and historical significance within Pisa's fortification system.
During World War II, this Renaissance fortress served as an air-raid shelter for local residents, later being converted into commercial spaces including bars and garages before its recent restoration as a cultural venue.
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