Santa Maria della Spina is a tiny church perched on the bank of the river in central Pisa. Its exterior is striking for two reasons, firstly because of its location where it sticks out compared to the buildings around it and secondly, because of its stunning gothic architecture. It has carved images all over it and to get the most out of your visit, you’ll need to spend a little time pouring your eyes over all of the intricate detail. You’ll find yourself wondering just how long it all took! Even the ‘simple’ features have complicated carved borders.
The outside of the church was certainly the big attraction for us, but when you step inside, you’ll find that the church houses a thorn which is said to be from Christ’s crown. Apart from the thorn, the inside is much simpler than the outside. The church dates back to 1230 and will only take you 20 minutes to visit, but we found it really interesting.
Admission to the church of Santa Maria della Spina is free but it is not always open. Hours are typically 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm but this varies with the time of year. The church is always closed on Mondays.
LOCATION & CONTACT
Address: Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina, Lungarno Gambacorti Centro, Pisa, Italy
Tel: +39 (0)50 561799
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