A Medici trading hall on the river
Most visitors walk straight through it. Logge dei Banchi stands at the southern foot of Ponte di Mezzo, facing Palazzo Gambacorti, Pisa’s town hall, across Piazza XX Settembre. Ferdinando I de’ Medici commissioned it in the early 1600s as a covered market for the city’s silk and wool traders. The design is credited to Bernardo Buontalenti.
The name records that use. Banchi were the counters and benches where merchants and money-changers did business. What you walk into today is a grid of broad stone arches on heavy square pillars. It is open on every side, so the Arno light reaches the paving and the river breeze passes straight through. An upper storey was added later, and it sits over the arcade.
Finding it from the station or the Tower
It sits between Pisa’s two big arrivals.
- From Pisa Centrale: walk north along Corso Italia, the pedestrian shopping street. The loggia is on your left, just before the bridge, about 15 minutes on foot.
- From Piazza dei Miracoli: head south through Borgo Stretto, cross Ponte di Mezzo, and it is directly ahead. Allow roughly 20 minutes.
- Nearby: Palazzo Gambacorti is opposite. The Lungarno promenades run both ways along the river, and Borgo Stretto’s arcaded street is just over the bridge.
Ten to fifteen minutes covers the arches themselves. It works best as a pause on the walk between the station and the Tower rather than a trip of its own.
Using the arcade the way Pisa does
It is a public space, not a monument behind a gate. There is no ticket and no door, and it is listed as open 24 hours, every day.
- Timing: on weekends, come between 7am and 8am, when the arches are close to empty and the stone is at its best for photographs. Avoid 11am to 11pm on Saturdays and Sundays if you want space. That is when Corso Italia’s shopping crowd pours through.
- Markets and events: the loggia hosts stalls and events from time to time. If one is set up, walk the aisles and keep clear of the traders’ tables.
- Coffee at the counter: in keeping with the name, order your espresso al banco (standing at the bar) in the cafés around the piazza. Pay at the till first if the bar works that way. In most Italian bars, standing at the counter is the cheaper option.
- Shelter: in rain or midday sun, locals and visitors alike step under the arches to wait. It is a natural meeting point, so name it as yours.
When the bridge takes over
Its position matters most in June. The Gioco del Ponte, Pisa’s historic tug-of-war between the two halves of the city, is fought on Ponte di Mezzo on the last Saturday of the month. The loggia sits right at the southern end of that contest.
Earlier in June, on the 16th, the Luminara lights the riverfront buildings with thousands of small lamps. The Lungarno beside the loggia becomes one of the busiest viewing stretches. On either date, arrive early or expect to watch from the back.
Outside those dates, it is a quieter find than anything near the Tower. The Medici stonework is free to wander at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
When is the quietest time to visit Logge dei Banchi?
On weekends, the quietest window is 7am to 8am. Try not to come between 11am and 11pm on Saturdays and Sundays, when crowds from Corso Italia fill the arcade.
How do I get there from Pisa Centrale station?
Walk north up Corso Italia for about 15 minutes. The loggia is on the left at Via di Banchi 5, just before Ponte di Mezzo.
Is it open at night?
Yes. It is an open-sided public arcade, listed as open 24 hours every day. The riverfront beside it makes a good evening stroll.
How long should I spend there?
Ten to fifteen minutes is enough for the arcade itself. Add time for Palazzo Gambacorti opposite and a walk along the Lungarno.
Is it far from the Leaning Tower?
It is about a 20-minute walk. Cross Ponte di Mezzo and follow Borgo Stretto north to Piazza dei Miracoli.
Plan your trip to Pisa
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