Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, Pisa
Square in Pisa
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is the square that welcomes you to Pisa as soon as you step out of the main railway station, and it is one of the best places to visit in Pisa if you want to understand how the modern city wraps around its medieval core. Created in the late 19th century during a major urban reorganisation, it replaced a stretch of the old city walls and the San Gilio gate to form a broad civic space, framed by new public buildings and crowned by a monument to King Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of unified Italy. Today the square feels like a hinge between old and new Pisa, where commuters, students and visitors cross paths all day long.
Architecturally, the piazza is a fascinating mix. On one side stands the Palazzo della Camera di Commercio; nearby are the neo Gothic Post Office and Province buildings from 1929, their pointed details and decorative façades recalling an idealised medieval style. The rear of the church of Sant'Antonio Abate forms another edge to the square, reminding you that even in this “modern” space, medieval Pisa is never far away. The result is a place with a slightly eclectic character: touches of 19th and 20th century civic ambition layered onto much older foundations, often visited on walking tours of Pisa as a natural starting or finishing point thanks to its proximity to the station.
Table of Contents
- History and Significance of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
- Things to See and Do in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
- How to Get to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
- Practical Tips on Visiting the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
- Where to Stay close to the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
- Is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II Worth Visiting
- FAQs for Visiting Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
- Nearby Attractions to the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
History and Significance of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II owes its existence to late 19th century changes in how Pisa saw itself. With the arrival and growth of the railway, the city needed a more formal, welcoming space near the station, and the medieval walls and San Gilio gate that once marked the edge of town were increasingly seen as obstacles rather than protections. Their demolition made way for a new, open square that could serve as a modern entrance hall to the city.
Around this new space, civic and institutional buildings were constructed to frame the piazza and signal Pisa’s contemporary identity. The Palazzo della Camera di Commercio underlines the importance of trade and business, while the neo Gothic Post Office and Province buildings reflect early 20th century tastes that looked back to medieval forms for inspiration. The square was named after Vittorio Emanuele II, the king who had played a central role in Italy’s 19th century unification, and a monument to him was placed at its centre, turning the piazza into a stage for national as well as local identity.
Although it lacks the medieval drama of the Campo dei Miracoli, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is significant because it tells the story of Pisa's more recent evolution. Standing here, you can imagine the old walls that once blocked this view, the trains bringing new visitors into the city and the architects who tried to balance modern needs with historical references. For today's traveller, the square is both a practical hub and a reminder that cities are constantly reshaped by new technologies, politics and ideas.
Things to See and Do in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
Start in the middle of the square at the monument to Vittorio Emanuele II and take a slow walk around the perimeter to appreciate the diversity of its buildings. The Palazzo della Camera di Commercio presents a more formal, institutional face, while the neo Gothic Post Office and Province buildings, both completed in 1929, add pointed arches, decorative stonework and a touch of theatricality that contrasts with the clean lines of more contemporary structures.
Look for the rear view of the church of Sant'Antonio Abate, which reminds you that this modern square grew right up against much older religious fabric. If you have time, it is worth detouring around to the front of the church and, nearby, seeking out Keith Haring's Tuttomondo mural, which adds a bold splash of contemporary art to the area and makes a fun counterpoint to the more formal statue in the piazza.
Because the square is so close to the station, it is also a very practical place to get your bearings, grab a coffee or pastry in one of the surrounding bars and decide how to tackle the rest of Pisa. You might watch the flow of commuters in the morning, return at sunset when the façades glow in warm light or pass through in the evening when people spill out of cafés and the square's lighting gives it a softer, more atmospheric feel. Treat it as a starting line: from here you can walk up Corso Italia towards the Arno and then onward to the medieval core and the famous monuments.
How to Get to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
If you are flying into Pisa, you will arrive at Pisa International Airport Galileo Galilei; from the airport you can take the people-mover or a short taxi ride directly to Pisa Centrale railway station, and from there Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is just outside the station forecourt. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Pisa on Booking.com.
By train, simply travel to Pisa Centrale, which is the city's main station; as soon as you exit the station building you will find yourself right by Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, making it one of the easiest squares to reach in Pisa. Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy.
For those arriving by car, follow signs into Pisa and head towards the station area, then leave your vehicle in one of the nearby public car parks or paid street spaces before walking the short distance to the square, which sits directly opposite the station entrance. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.
Practical Tips on Visiting the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
- Suggested tips: Use this square as a practical hub at the beginning or end of your day, planning coffee stops, meeting points or a quick rest here before moving deeper into the historic centre.
- Best time to visit: Early morning lets you see the city waking up as commuters arrive, while late afternoon and early evening offer softer light and a livelier café scene.
- Entrance fee: There is no fee to visit the square itself; any costs depend on cafés, events or attractions you choose nearby."
- Opening hours: As a public square, it is accessible at all hours, though surrounding businesses follow their own schedules.
- How long to spend: Plan 20-40 minutes to walk the square, look at the buildings and monument, and perhaps enjoy a drink before heading towards the river or the older parts of town.
- Accessibility: The square is flat and open, with paved surfaces suitable for wheelchairs and strollers; crossings around the busy roads may require a bit of care but are generally manageable.
- Facilities: You will find cafés, bars and shops around the square, plus quick access to services in and around the station, including restrooms and ticket offices.
- Photography tip: Step back towards the station or one of the corners of the square to capture the monument framed by the surrounding neo Gothic and institutional buildings; evening light often adds depth and warmth to your shots.
- Guided tours: Many city walking tours either start or finish near the station and Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, making it an easy rendezvous point if you are joining a guided visit.
- Nearby food options: The streets radiating from the square have plenty of cafés, pizzerias and bakeries that are handy for a quick lunch, coffee break or pre train snack.
Where to Stay close to the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
If you value easy access to trains and buses, staying near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is very convenient, especially if you are using Pisa as a base for wider Tuscan day trips. Right by the station, NH Pisa offers a straightforward, practical base just a few steps from the square. A short walk away, Hotel Bologna Pisa gives you a slightly quieter setting closer to the river while remaining within easy reach of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and Corso Italia. If you prefer a more boutique feel but still want quick access to the square and transport links, Hotel La Pace is also in the station district, making it simple to roll your luggage from train to hotel and out into the city.
Is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II Worth Visiting
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is definitely worth a stop, especially if you are arriving or departing by rail. It may not have the medieval drama of the Campo dei Miracoli, but it adds an important chapter to Pisa's story, showing how the city reinvented its gateways in the 19th and 20th centuries. The mix of civic buildings, the monument to Italy's first king and the constant movement of people makes it a good place to feel the pulse of contemporary Pisa before you dive into its older streets. It is also a practical landmark: once you know where it is, navigating between the station, the Lungarni and the historic centre becomes much easier.
What Other Travellers Say...
Tuttomondo (Keith Haring), at P.za V. Emanuele II 18 in Pisa, is a large, colorful mural on the rear wall of the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate that draws visitors for its vibrant interlocking figures and themes of peace and unity; tucked down a nondescript alley, it's an accessible must-see for art lovers and makes a striking photo opportunity against a Tuscan backdrop.
FAQs for Visiting Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
Nearby Attractions to the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
- Corso Italia: Pisa's main shopping street leading from the square towards the Arno, lined with cafés, boutiques and everyday local life.
- Church of Sant’Antonio Abate: A nearby church whose rear faces the square, worth a short detour to see its façade and step inside if open.
- Tuttomondo by Keith Haring: A colourful large scale mural on the side of a nearby church wall, celebrating peace and community.
- Lungarni of Pisa: The scenic river embankments along the Arno, just a short walk away, ideal for a stroll towards the historic centre.
- National Museum of San Matteo: A museum housed in a former convent not far from the river, showcasing medieval Tuscan sculpture, paintings and illuminated manuscripts.
The Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Pisa!
Moira & Andy
Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!
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Planning Your Visit
As a public square, it is accessible at all hours, though surrounding businesses follow their own schedules.
There is no fee to visit the square itself; any costs depend on cafés, events or attractions you choose nearby.”
Nearby Attractions
- Murale Tuttomondo (0.1) km
Historic Site - Corso Italia (0.2) km
Street - Santa Maria della Spina (0.5) km
Church - Logge di Banchi (0.6) km
Historic Building - Church of Santa Maria della Spina (0.6) km
Church - Palazzo Blu (0.6) km
Gallery and Palace - Lungarni of Pisa (0.6) km
- Museum of the Ancient Ships (0.7) km
Historic Building and Museum - Torre Guelfa (0.8) km
Tower - Borgo Stretto (0.8) km
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