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Inhabitants in 1991: 26.393
 Situated
along the left bank of the Arno, at the point of influx with the Era,
the municipal territory extends for 46,03 square kilometres on plains
land. The municipality has Leopoldina origins, and suffered
two changes to its borders in 1928 and 1929; in 1931 it extended into
the district of Treggiana, which was included in the municipality of Palaia.
A castle opposite a bridge over the Era (from which it derives its
name), there was no mention found of it before the XIII century, when
it resulted as being a frontier settlement for the Pisa republic. Constant
object of conflict and strife between Firenze and Pisa, for its strategic
position, it passed repeatedly from the dominion of one to that of the
other, suffering considerable destruction, the first of which in 1256
based on a treaty between Firenze and Lucca on one hand and Pisa on the
other. In 1406 together with Pisa and its dominion, Pontedera was subjugated
to the republic of Firenze, against whom it rebelled in 1431, putting
itself under the protection of Piccinino, commander of the Duke of Milano’s
army, from whom it was taken again the following year.
During a century of famine, epidemics and war, ransacking and destruction
the land was depopulated and impoverished, to such an extent
that in 1454 the Lords of Firenze decided to attract new inhabitants by
providing tax exemptions, which were extended until 1534. Loyal to
the Fiorentino government even during the rebellion of Pisa
(whose troops were sent in 1494 on the occasion of Carlo VIII’s
arrival in Italy [with the intention of conquering Firenze] but were dispersed),
it suffered, in 1554 during the war with Siena, the definitive
razing of the walls and their fortifications because they had taken
in the Strozzi who were adversaries to the house of Medici. In the 1900s
Pontedera saw a strong development of the peoples party and administrated
by the socialists in 1920 it had developed a decisive resistance to
Fascism, organising in 1921 a general strike against the first Fascistic
actions in Firenze. Claimed as being a military objective for the presence
of the Piaggio establishment where the four motored bomber aircraft were
built, and for its function of road and rail junction, the urban centre
underwent intense bombardments in 1940 and 1944 during the German occupation,
to which was added the destruction committed by the retreating Nazis.
Pontedera was the birthplace of the sculptor known with the name of Andrea
Pisano (c.1295-1349) and Giovanni Gronchi (1887-1978) President
of the republic from 1955 to 1962 .
Places to visit:
Cathedral, dedicated to S.Faustino, has a neoclassic façade
from the XIX century. It contains diverse works of art
Ss, Jacopo e Filippo, church with Medieval origins, it was
enlarged in 1600. Preserves precious works of art. |
Historical info reproduced upon authorization of Regione Toscana - Dipartimento della Presidenza E Affari Legislativi e Giuridici
Translated by Ann Mountford |
