The Republican armoury was turned into a fortress under the Florentines in the early 15th Century. It became known as the Old Citadel, to distinguish it from the New Citadel, the present Scotto Garden which was built in 1440. In 1944 the tower was damaged by bombings but was rebuilt in its original shape in the 1950s. Now the tower is open to visitors and from the top, affords magnificent views over the city. Also on show are the crests of some Florentine families who lived in Pisa at the time of the Florentine government.
