Photos by Stefano Romagnoli, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Stadio Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani Via Antonio Rosmini, 61 56123 Pisa (PI) Italy
Year Opened: 1909 Capacity: 8,500
Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani
Play a football game two hundred meters away from one of the most beautiful places in the world.
From the stadium Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani we can see Piazza dei Miracoli, in the World Heritage Centre since 1987. As we read in the UNESCO website, the place “houses a group of monuments known the world over. These four masterpieces of medieval architecture – the cathedral, the baptistry, the campanile (the ‘Leaning Tower’) and the cemetery – had a great influence on monumental art in Italy from the 11th to the 14th century.”
In the place where the system that hosts the home matches of AC Pisa 1909 now stands, at the beginning of the nineteenth century, there was an open space on which rides horses and theatrical performances were organized. Initially indicated by the name of Arena Federighi, it had been baptized Arena Garibaldi before the twentieth century.
Shortly before the First World War, the Pisa Sporting Club won several regional tournaments and, in the season 1920/1921, with the title of champion of Italy south central, challenged the FC Pro Vercelli for the national championship. The early success convinced the leaders black & blue to buy the land. On October 26, 1919 the first official football match was played.
Later the land became the property of the municipality and in the fascist period changed appearance (with the construction of the grandstand and staircase) and name (it was inaugurated a second time on October 8, 1931 as the Campo del Littorio). The facility resumed his old name, Arena Garibaldi, after the fall of the fascist regime and the dismantling of the military hospital, which had occupied its pitch during the war.
Between the beginning of the sixties and late seventies numerous works were carried out that gave the stadium its present appearance:
1961 construction of the Curva Nord
1968 construction of the Curva Sud and a new Gradinata
1978 expansion of the two curves to unite the various sectors
On December 9, 2001, the property was co-registered to Romeo Anconetani, historic president of Pisa, who led the black&blue in its best seasons for sports scores.
At the end of the season 2015/2016 AC Pisa 1909 was promoted to Serie B, the second tier of Italian football. The return to this category after almost ten years of absence (the Tuscans were missing since the 2008/2009 season) required further interventions to the structure.
Therefore, the black&bluer played the first two home games at the Carlo Castellani stadium in Empoli. Since September 24, 2016 the Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani is again the home of AC Pisa 1909.
Also we have to remember that twice, in 1959 and in 2015, the Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani was home to the final of the Viareggio Cup for the unavailability of Torquato Bresciani Stadium in Viareggio; that the Azzurri, the nickname of the Italian national football team, have used it to play some friendly matches between 1987 and 2009; finally, that it has been home to seven Serie A championship matches.
Food & Beverage 2
On a cold and rainy winter afternoon try the eating place that serves the Tribune area. The available hot drinks are coffee, tea, chocolate. Snacks include sweet and salty, packets of crisps and sweets.
Some bars are also present in Gradinata and Curva sectors, with a similar offer to the Tribuna.
After the match, eat a hot dog and a beer (5.00 euros the total cost) from one of the many peddlers present around the stadium.
Atmosphere 3
The Tribuna is the only covered stadium area. The two curves (the Sud is reserved for visiting supporters) and Gradinata are discovered.
On the latter, before the spectators take place, you can read the inscription “Pisa” thanks to the blue color that stands out on the gray concrete steps.
The pitch is separated from the fans through a transparent barrier that does not disturb the visibility. Between Curva Sud and Gradinata is a game board, but is not currently used, either before or after the competitions.
The two teams enter on the pitch through a tunnel that opend between the two benches.
The leadership of AC Pisa 1909 is dialoguing with the city government for a plan of improvements of the entire structure and would include: the coverage of all sectors; the expansion of capacity from the current 8,500 to 16,000/18,000 seats; expansion of services and level of comfort, including the approach of the spectators to the pitch.
Neighborhood 3
The facility is located in the district of Porta Lucca on the northern outskirts of the city.
The area takes its name from the door opening along the walls of the medieval age that surrounds the historic center of Pisa. Characterized by rather low houses it is full of shops including restaurants, bars, bakeries and pizzerias.
Fans 4
Dancing and singing occur from beginning to end of the match. The Curva Nord is the sector of the hottest fans of AC Pisa 1909. Fans wave flags that recall the colors of the team but also public symbols.
The curve is just entitled to a supporter, Maurizio Alberti, who died after a heart attack that struck him on the stadium stands Picco of La Spezia on January 24, 1999.
The warmest matches are those who see the black&bluer opposed to Livorno. But there are also strong rivalry with the Fiorentina, the Lucchese and outside its region, the Spezia.
Access 4
Pisa is not a very big city and reaching the stadium Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Antonetani is quite simple.
Fans who choose to arrive in the city of the ‘Leaning Tower’ have two options: stop at Pisa Central Station and walk through the old town with all its quaint shops, or get off at Pisa San Rossore Station and go through Piazza dei Miracoli.
Pisa is home to an international airport. The city is connected to the main roads through the Firenze-Pisa-Livorno or the A11 Florence-Pisa.
Also we must not forget that the nearby Livorno is home to one of the most important Italian ports.
Return on Investment 4
Ticket prices of the four areas range from a minimum of 5.00 euro, for boys aged between 6 and 14 years, to 30.00 euro for the upper tribune.
Follow a match of AC Pisa 1909 2016/2017 season costs are 10,00 euro in Curva Nord; 15,00 euro in Gradinata; 20,00 euro in Tribuna Inferiore.
On the official website of the Tuscan company further discounts and concessions are also listed, as well as additional information to buy tickets to Pisa Point or online.
Extras 4
Pisa is a city with an incredible history. Founded by the Etruscans, and passed under Roman rule it is known for being one of the most important maritime republics. And the city is full of traces and museums that recall its glorious past such as the Piazza dei Miracoli.
The university, founded in 1343, which among its teachers includes Galileo Galilei, while among its students three Nobel awards: Giosuè Carducci (Literature in 1906), Enrico Fermi (Physics 1938) and Carlo Rubbia (Physics in 1984).
Finally, space to the riches of the table. Beginning with the “cecina,” similar to an omelet made with chickpea flour (hence the name) and baked. Another characteristic whim is the “torta co bischeri,” also renamed “torta del 28.” A kind of American pie, with a filling of pine nuts, fruit, egg, chocolate and rice boiled in milk.