Logge dei Banchi: A Pisan Landmark

The Logge dei Banchi, located on Piazza XX Settembre near the Ponte di Mezzo in Pisa, is a significant historical and architectural landmark. Built between 1603 and 1605 by order of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinando I de' Medici, the Logge dei Banchi was designed by Bernardo Buontalenti and constructed by Cosimo Pugliani. Originally, the Logge served as a marketplace for various commodities, including wool, silk, money exchange, and cereals. The name 'banchi' refers to the market stalls that were once housed here. To construct the Logge dei Banchi, part of the medieval quarter was demolished, which included tower houses and narrow streets. The original 17th-century Loggia featured a lower story of arches supported by 12 massive pilasters in rusticated marble. The upper floor has been redesigned over the years. In 1865, when the Rivers and Ditches office was replaced by the State Archives, the upper floor was redesigned with a gabled pediment. In 1925, the basement was transformed into a daytime 'hotel' with amenities like WCs, showers, and a barber. During this transformation, a trove of 13th-century gold coins was discovered and is now housed in the Museo di S. Matteo. The 'hotel' was renovated in 2000 and is now open to the public. Today, the Logge dei Banchi stands as an important historical and architectural landmark in Pisa, reflecting the city's past as a bustling market and trade center. Visitors can explore this fascinating structure and appreciate its modern amenities.