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Audio Guide Church of Santa Maria della Spina

4.6(4,006 reviews)
Duration: 16 min
Church of Santa Maria della Spina
Audio included

About this place

A diminutive masterpiece of Pisan Gothic architecture, Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina was built in 1230 on the banks of the Arno River. The façade showcases exquisite sculptural decoration with soaring pinnacles. Inside, you'll find the Madonna del Latte by Nino Pisano and a relic of the Crown of Christ. The church was relocated and reconstructed in 1871 to protect it from flooding. Widely regarded as one of Italy's finest churches, this intimate sanctuary rewards a visit despite its modest proportions.

Practical information

Lungarno Gambacorti, 56125 Pisa PI, Italy
Opening hoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 4:00 – 7:00 PM Friday: 4:00 – 7:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Official website

Points included in this audio guide

1
Tabernacle of the Relic (Stagio Stagi, 1534)

Tabernacle of the Relic (Stagio Stagi, 1534)

This marble tabernacle, carved by sculptor Stagio Stagi in 1534, sits on the left wall inside the church. Originally commissioned to house a relic of the Crown of Thorns, the same sacred object that gave the church its name when it arrived in 1333. The tabernacle remains a notable example of Renaissance craftsmanship within Pisa's religious architecture.

2
Altar of the Counter-façade (Girolamo da Carrara, 1524)

Altar of the Counter-façade (Girolamo da Carrara, 1524)

This marble altar on the rear wall of Pisa's cathedral was carved by Girolamo da Carrara in 1524, directly opposite the main entrance. The ornate work features a central niche framed by pilasters adorned with cherub faces. It was designed to house the Madonna del Latte, one of the most tender depictions of the Virgin nursing the Christ Child. What to see: the intricate marble detailing and the delicate nature of this devotional sculpture.

3
Tabernacle of the Façade with Virgin and Child (Giovanni Pisano)

Tabernacle of the Façade with Virgin and Child (Giovanni Pisano)

The tabernacle on the principal facade of Santa Maria della Spina displays a sculptural group depicting the Virgin and Child, flanked by two angels, attributed to the master Giovanni Pisano. Positioned on the central pillar dividing the facade, this work occupies a prominent and hierarchical place within the church's exterior decorative scheme. It remains one of the finest examples of Pisan Gothic sculpture to visit when exploring this remarkable 14th-century church.

4
Sculptural Gallery of the Apostles (workshop of Lupo di Francesco)

Sculptural Gallery of the Apostles (workshop of Lupo di Francesco)

The Apostles' Sculpture Gallery is a striking feature on the southern side of Santa Maria della Spina in Pisa. The ensemble comprises twelve apostle statues housed in pointed tabernacles, with a figure of Christ in a projecting tabernacle at the centre. Created around 1320-1340 by craftsmen in Lupo di Francesco's workshop who studied under Giovanni Pisano, these sculptures dominate the church's southern façade. This collection represents perhaps the finest example of Giovanni Pisano's stylistic influence on 14th-century Pisan sculpture.

High-quality audio guide of Church of Santa Maria della Spina
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4 points of interest included
  • 1.Tabernacle of the Relic (Stagio Stagi, 1534)
  • 2.Altar of the Counter-façade (Girolamo da Carrara, 1524)
  • 3.Tabernacle of the Façade with Virgin and Child (Giovanni Pisano)
  • 4.Sculptural Gallery of the Apostles (workshop of Lupo di Francesco)

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