History of the University of Pisa

The origins

Officially founded in 1343, the University of Pisa has deep roots in Italian and European history. Its origins probably date back to the eleventh century. In the twelfth century Pisa already boasted a “Universitas” in the original sense of the word: a community of students and lecturers. Leonardo Fibonacci, the famous mathematician who introduced Greek geometry and Arabic mathematics to Europe, worked here.

In 1343, Pope Clement VI’s bull In Supremae Dignitatis officially recognised the University as a Studio Generale, granting it unique privileges and autonomy that were only afforded to other European cities such as Prague and Heidelberg.

The Medici family and Galileo Galilei

In 1473, under Lorenzo de’ Medici, the University was strengthened, and the Palazzo della Sapienza was founded, which remains the historic seat of the University. It was a time of innovation and discovery, with notable figures such as Andrea Cesalpino and Galileo Galilei beginning important scientific studies. In 1543, Cosimo I de’ Medici founded a botanical garden, now known as the Botanical Garden of Pisa, one of the oldest in the world.

The Lorraine Dynasty and the Napoleonic Era

In the eighteenth century, under the Lorraine dynasty, the University experienced a new phase of growth with the creation of new professorships and the adoption of innovative methods. During the Napoleonic period, the University was transformed into the Imperial Academy. For the first time, courses and degrees were established, laying the foundation for the modern university structure.

The Restoration and the Risorgimento

In the nineteenth century, the University of Pisa established itself as a centre of cultural studies and reform. In 1826, it became the first in Europe to establish a chair of Egyptology. In 1848, some of its lecturers and students took part in the Battle of Curtatone and Montanara, becoming symbols of the ideals of the Risorgimento. In 1862, with the unification of Italy, the University was recognized as one of the six primary universities of the Kingdom.

The Twentieth Century and the Italian Republic

Since the twentieth century, the University has maintained a prominent role on both the Italian and international scenes. After the Second World War, it distinguished itself in many areas of research, introducing cutting-edge courses such as Information Science and History and Film Criticism. In the 1960s, the Calcolatrice Elettronica Pisana (CEP) was developed at the University of Pisa, where the first Italian Internet connection was also inaugurated.

UniPi Today

Today the University of Pisa is a centre of excellence with 20 departments, over 150 degree courses and 50 specialty schools. Thanks to a long academic tradition, successful research, and innovation, the University is recognised as one of the best in Italy and Europe. Its illustrious alumni include Nobel laureates such as Enrico Fermi and Carlo Rubbia and prominent figures in the cultural and scientific world such as Andrea Bocelli and Alessio Figalli.

The University of Pisa continues to be a symbol of excellence and international openness, with a constant commitment to building bridges between cultures, disciplines and people to meet the challenges of the future.