Bencivenni & co. Campanari e Fonditori a Pisa nel Medioevo

Metal manufacturing played an important role in Pisa’s medieval history. The practices connected to iron manufacturing are the only production activities archaeologically attested from the Early Middle Ages, and their archaeological finds are the greatest in terms of quantity and quality. Three main production areas were identified: one in the central area of the city near San Sebastiano alle Fabbriche Maggiori (Piazza dei Cavalieri), another in the western area (via Sant’Antonio) and yet another one in the far eastern area (Palazzo and Giardino Scotto). Here, a very specific production was carried out during the second half of the XIV century. A large stable foundry rose for founding bells, an activity in which, especially between the XIII and XIV century, the skilled and mainly itinerant craftsmen of Pisa had reached a notable technical ability. The archaeological traces reveal how the structure was related to the taglia (family) of Gherardo, and especially to his son Bencivenni.