Pisa, a historic city in Tuscany, Italy, is globally renowned for its iconic Leaning Tower, but also features a wealth of other medieval and Renaissance architecture financed by its past as a powerful maritime republic. Its deep roots are confirmed by archaeological finds, including a 5th-century BC Etruscan prince's tomb, establishing its ancient identity as a crucial port city at the "mouth" of the Arno River. Ancient Roman authors recognized Pisa's venerable status as a vital naval base and port, leading to its development as a Roman colony and municipium, a role it maintained despite the coastline shifting significantly westward. Pisa continued its importance into the early Middle Ages, becoming a prominent trading hub and resiliently recovering from challenges like its capture by Vikings in 860. Today, it remains a vibrant intellectual center, hosting the prestigious University of Pisa, with roots in the 12th century, and the Scuola Normale Superiore, founded by Napoleon in 1810.