Pisa stages its annual Battle of the Bridge, known as the Gioco del Ponte, on the last Sunday in June, providing a day of colourful and noisy entertainment for Italy property seekers and tourists alike.

The event sees the city split into two factions, each represented by men in medieval period costume, re-enacting battles of the past as they come loaded with shields and wearing helmets, parading along the banks of the River Arno until they reach the bridge itself.

At this point the two sides battle to push a wooden chariot across to the other side, the winner of this trial of strength being the first to manage to get the vehicle to the opposite bank.

Italy property investors may find this an extra reason to come to Pisa, in addition to well known attractions such as the Leaning Tower.

Pisa may be one of the locations in the country that will benefit from new tourist development funding encouraged by the Italian government.

Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi recently announced a €1.6 billion (£1.38 billion) plan that will be funded by the country’s leading banks, involving low-interest loans to those creating new facilities as the country bids to double is visitor income.

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