La Repubblica di Pisa e il Romanico Pisano

In the Tuscan territory the city of Pisa followed a particular path The commercial revival that promoted the consolidation of the communes particularly affected some Italian cities Their geographical location and history made them strategic references for the development of flower trades around the world Thus were born the Maritime Republics of Venice Pisa Genoa and Amalfi The Maritime Republics are certainly unique in European history that is only in an area where they could not impose their dominance Neither was the Constantinopolitan imperial power Italy was too far too far to manage Too far to maintain nor could the north-European imperial power be imposed In this context and only in this context could such peculiar phenomena arise Strong in economic prosperity due to military and commercial successes also linked to the crusades The four Maritime Republics were in constant conflict for economic and political dominance over the Mediterranean This competition also took place in the artistic field This is how in the middle of the 11th century Pisa begins the construction of one of the most famous Romanesque monumental complexes in the world The Square of Miracles The Leaning Tower owes its fame to its tilt caused by a settling of the ground during its construction It remains also a very high example of Pisan Romanesque The style that characterizes it reflects oriental influences that give the building through the play of arches a unique elegance an unusual structural lightness in the Romanesque style Designed by Bonanno Pisano This serves as the bell tower of the adjacent cathedral dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta The Pisa Cathedral is a testament to the power and prestige of the Tuscan city Like the rest of the square It is located outside the city walls According to a well-considered choice of time its position is meant to serve as a warning for all Pisa fears no attack and can even afford to develop its religious and artistic center Without worrying about protecting it with fortifications Its structure its projecting façade and its proportions are typical of Romanesque architecture a style however strongly influenced by contacts with the East relationships arising from commercial relations The influenza is visible in the lightening of the façade due to the play of arches as in the tower and thanks to the use of granite columns taken directly from the Palermo Cathedral which at that time was a mosque a recently captured city from the Moors a true war trophy displayed for all to see A masterpiece of Byzantine-Norman inspiration even on the inside This is the Apse Mosaic The one depicting Christ on the throne between the Virgin and Saint John an artwork also created by the hand of Cimabue The technique evokes the Byzantine-influenced mosaics of Ravenna and the motif of Christ Pantocrator It refers to an iconic model of profound significance The Pantocrator means ruler of all things and it appears in a grand manner He has no crown nor scepter but the sign of his transcendence is his gigantic proportions When we look up in the nave or the apse his gaze seems to follow us every part of the cathedral in every part of the side aisles With one arm he supports the book of life With his right hand he makes a blessing gesture and in the Pantocrator everything speaks of light his bust stands out against a luminous background rough these golden mosaic tiles the warm tone of gold What is gold if not the very presence of the divine that bursts into the here and now of our lives Gold is a symbol of grace Gold is a symbol of the very glory of God