On the surface, both seem a maze of old-town style architecture, quaint streets and a laid-back culture, but underneath the appearance is a volatile, tumultuous story. Both Genoa and Pisa were once large port cities in the Renaissance period, and were heavily contested in the struggle between the powers of Milan, Florence, France and Spain. However, Pisa is one of the few ports in the world which is now no longer by the sea - a large build up of silt has meant it is now much further inland than it once was.