Pisa Sotterranea

The central building — known as the Logge dei Banchi - served as the site of the wool and silk markets, the currency exchange offices, and the grain market. The Logge were built according to a design by Bernardo Buontalenti, at the behest of Ferdinand I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany.

Archaeological excavations and recovered documents show that the loggia was built by demolishing part of the medieval quarter, where Pisa’s wealthy families lived, characterized by tower houses and narrow alleys. Today, only the first row of arches remains of the 17th-century structure.

In 1925, an agreement between the City of Pisa and the Bolognese entrepreneur Cleopatro Cobianchi allowed for the construction of a day hotel in this area, created by excavating a series of basement rooms. On that occasion, an important hoard of 13th-century gold coins was exceptionally recovered; these are now preserved at the Museo di S. Matteo. The Art Nouveau-style hotel featured restrooms, showers, bathrooms with bathtubs, a barber shop, manicure and pedicure services, and a laundry facility. After a long period of neglect, the building was restored in 2000 and is now partly open to visitors and partly used as public facilities.