cronologia 1541 The administration of the territory of Pisa is reformed, all the land surveys reviewed, and tax allowances granted to those wanting to come back to the city and to Christians and Jews expelled from Portugal

1543 Cosimo reforms the University of Pisa giving it new impetus

1547 The "Ufficio dei Fiumi e Fossi" is established to control the delicate hydrological balance of the territories of Pisa

1548 Eleonora of Toledo, wife of Cosimo, buys land and establishes the San Rossore estate in order to create "by the beautiful sea an estate rich in fish and game enclosed within nautral borders, the Arno to the South, and Serchio to the North"
1468 Because of the recurrent riots, the Florentine build fortresses at both ends of the city, not as protection from enemies outside but rather from the Pisan themselves

1472 Lorenzo the Magnificent provides the University of Pisa with a central building, the Sapienza, and reforms it in order to create a pro-Florentine ruling class

1475 A board is established for the maintenance of canals, ditches, bridges and roads in the territory, the "Opera della reparazione del chontado e della città di Pisa", presently "Ufficio dei Fiumi e Fossi"

 1509 The siege is concluded with the capitulation of Pisa, by now exceedingly tried. The Florentine regain possession of the city

1511 King Louis XII of France calls an ecumenical council in Pisa in the (failed) attempt to oust pope Julius II who was hostile to the French and to the Florentine Republic

1512 The Medici Seignory is restored in Florence with support from Pope Julius II
1569 Pope Pius V grants Tuscany the status of Grand-duchy.

1571 In the battle of Lepanto the fleet of the Holy League defeats the Turkish fleet. Twelve of the Order's galleys fight in the battle

1574 Cosimo I Medici dies
1407 The decline of the city begins, many noble families flee to Naples and Palermo, others are exiled by the Florentine. The land is now uncared for and rapidly deteriorating, the air becomes unhealthy again as it did before, in the 12th century
barra cronologica
The dilapidation of the city and disruption of its territories worsen.
The populace is hostile to its new Florentine rulers		 1494 Charles VIII of France is called in Italy by Ludovico Maria Sforza il Moro with the purpose of taking the Kingdom of Naples from the Aragonese. Piero II Medici subjects himself to the king provoking a rebellion in Florence, where a Republic is established, and Pisa asks the king for a recognition of its independence which he apparently grants. Shortly afterwards he sells the city back to the Florentine who set off to reconquer it

1495 A long and enervating war against Florence begins, the new-born Florentine Republic puts Niccolo' Machiavelli in charge of the affair. Even Leonardo da Vinci is called: he devises a grand plan to deviate the course of the river Arno in order to leave the city without water, but the project fails in spite of the mobilization of 8,000 men		 1527 The Florentine oust the Medici again and establish the second Republic by taking advantage of the coming to Italy of the Lansquenet armies sent by Charles V. Pisa also tries to regain freedom but to no avail

1530 With the Peace of Cambrai between Charles V and France, the Medici return to Florence after a siege and establish a Principality that will last until the 18th century

1537 Cosimo comes into power, and turns a particular attention to Pisa that will determine relevant changes		 1561 In order to protect the maritime traffic from the threat of the Turks, Cosimo establishes the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen, with headquarters in Pisa

1562 In the old Piazza delle Sette Vie, construction begins for suitable premises for the Order, the new Piazza dei Cavalieri, designed by Giorgio Vasari

1564 Cosimo officially relinquishes power to his son Francesco, but still retains charge of the policy of the Order and the issues regarding Pisa, where he resides almost permanently