"Santa Maria della Spina" Pisa Off The Beaten Path Tip by leics

A wedding-cake confection, SM della Spina sits on the edge of the Arno looking somewhat out of place amongst the traffic.

It's not in its original position, which was nearer the river. Amazingly, in 1871 it was taken down stone by stone and rebuilt higher up the bank.

SM della Spina was first rebuilt in 1323 (original date 1230) by a local who had obtained one of the thorns from the crown of Christ (the 'spina'). That is no longer kept within this tiny church and, to be honest, its interior is rather plain. The 'Madonna del latte' sculpture by Pisano is now in a museum (there is a copy in the church) but the 'Madonna of the Rose' (Andrea & Nino Pisano) is still in place.

Outside is a swirl of Gothic pinnacles and ornamentation: 13 statues of the disciples and Christ as well as many other carvings (some by the Pisanos), arches and windows and Christian symbols.

The church is open most days from at least 10 - 4, later in summer and at weekends. Entrance is (as I recall) 2 euro.

othercontact: Lungarno Gambacorti