While it is small in size, this Gothic church on the scenic River Arno is one of Pisa’s most striking buildings.
The white marble façade and ornate Gothic edifices of Santa Maria della Spina make it one of the most striking churches in Italy. Although the church is small, it impresses with its beauty. Sitting on the River Arno, this tiny church attracts visitors from all over the world.
While today it is considered a waterfront locale, before 1871 Santa Maria della Spina was located even closer to the River Arno. As the water levels rose, the church became in danger of being flooded and was moved to a higher elevation.
During the day, the white marble façade glows under the Tuscan sun and is reflected in the River Arno beside it. At night, the church is lit with floodlights and the colours of the façade have a different hue. In the evening when the river is the most still, photograph the reflection of the church on the unbroken surface of the water.
Admire the church and the detailed reliefs on the façade. On the roof is a sequence of tabernacles that contain statues. The west-facing façade has three gables, each with a circular cutout. In the spaces between the gables is the statue of the Virgin and Child by Pisan sculptor, Giovanni di Balduccio.
Enter the church through a thick wooden door. Light floods the nave through rose-coloured windows, creating intricate patterns on the floor. On the left of the nave is a tabernacle, believed to have contained a thorn from the crown of Jesus. The inside of the church is much more sparse than the exterior, although the stunning sculpture, the Madonna of the Rose, set in the centre of the nave, is considered a masterpiece of its time.
The Santa Maria della Spina is situated on the border of Pisa’s historic centre and is easily accessible from the Leaning Tower. Bus services also connect the area with Pisa’s central train station a short walk away. Entry is free. Opening hours of the church vary ask about times at the Pisa tourist office in the centre of town.
