Pontedera

Pontedera (Italian: [ponteˈdɛːra]; Latin: Pons Herae) is an industrial town in the province of Pisa, Tuscany, central Italy. It houses the headquarters of the Piaggio company, of the wine company Castellani and of chocolate factory Amedei.

Pontedera
Comune
Città di Pontedera
"Napoleonic" Bridge in Pontedera.
Coat of arms
Location of Pontedera
Pontedera Location of Pontedera in Italy Show map of Italy Pontedera Pontedera (Tuscany) Show map of Tuscany
Coordinates: 43°39′45″N 10°37′58″E
Country	Italy
Region	Tuscany
Province	Pisa (PI)
Frazioni	Gello, Il Romito, La Borra, La Rotta, Montecastello, Pardossi, Santa Lucia, Treggiaia
Government
• Mayor	Simone Millozzi (PD), (since June 2009)
Area [1]
• Total	45.89 km2 (17.72 sq mi)
Elevation	14 m (46 ft)
Population  (30 June 2012)[2]
• Total	28,692
• Density	630/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Pontederesi/Pontaderesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	56025
Dialing code	0587
Patron saint	San Faustino
Saint day	October 10
Website	Official website

Pontedera is in the Arno valley at the confluence of the Era River and the Arno River. Its territory is also crossed by the Scolmatore dell'Arno canal, and by the Roglio, a tributary of the Era. There is also a small lake, in the frazione of La Rotta, known as Braccini lake.

Pontedera was the seat of several historical battles. In 1369, the Milanese army of Barnabò Visconti, led by John Hawkwood, was defeated here by the Florentine troops. On 11 June 1554, Pontedera was the scene of a pyrrhic victory in the last effort by the Republic of Siena to retain its independence, when Piero Strozzi won against the Florentines. Two months later he was decisively defeated at the Battle of Marciano, an event which marked the end of the Senese independence. The football team in the town is called U.S. Città di Pontedera, and they are currently placed in Lega Pro Seconda Divisione.