The stately Palazzo della Carovana, covered in ornate carvings, sits on Pisa’s Piazza dei Cavalieri, the city’s second-largest square. Built in the mid-16th century as the home of Pisa’s knights, the Palazzo della Carovana was designed by the esteemed Italian architect Giorgio Vasari. Learn more about the building’s rich history during one of the walking tours of the city.
This Renaissance masterpiece is named after its original purpose “La Carovana” refers to the training that knights underwent inside the palace. Today, the building is dedicated to a different kind of training. It has been part of the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, one of Italy’s best universities, since the mid-1800s.
The best way to experience the Palazzo della Carovana is on a walking tour of Pisa. Join one of the tours that leave from the city’s main squares to learn about the building’s history and the intricacies of Giorgio Vasari’s design.
A sculpture of Tuscany’s first duke, Cosimo I, stands in front of the building. Study the palace façade to see carvings depicting the six grand dukes of the Medici family. Notice the signs of the zodiac carved into the façade, alongside symbolic characters and scenes.
Although the Palazzo della Carovana is a functional part of a university, the public is allowed to access some of its interior. The main entrance sits at the top of the twin staircases at the centre of the façade. Enter here to tour the halls, which have been remodelled from their original design for use by the university. Look for ancient paintings, some of which date as far back as the 1500s.
Located on Knights’ Square next to the Palace of the Clock, the Palazzo della Carovana is right at the heart of Pisa’s historic district. Reach it on foot or by bus from many attractions in the city centre. If you are driving, arrive early to park in the limited metered street parking nearby. The palace is open daily and there is no charge to enter.
