The characteristic of the square is that of receiving, through a passage in the walls the water of the Serchio river via the Fosso del Mulino, coming from Ripafratta. The waters of the ditch flow into a small basin, in ancient times known as “Porto delle Gondole”, which was used to dock small boats and go up the ditch to Bagni di Pisa, today San Giuliano Terme, for holiday and spa treatments.
Piazza delle Gondole was the arrival point of the Mediceo Aqueduct.