Santa Maria della Spina Church, Pisa

Small in size but striking in detail, Santa Maria della Spina is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Pisa. Set along the banks of the Arno River, the church is built entirely of marble and covered with elaborate decorative elements—pinnacles, carved niches, sculpted figures, and delicate rose windows.

The church was originally built in 1230 and later enlarged in the early 14th century. It was first known as Santa Maria di Pontenovo, named after a nearby bridge that once stood close to the site. When that bridge collapsed in the 15th century and was never rebuilt, the church gradually became known by a different name. It once housed a revered relic believed to be a thorn from Christ’s Crown of Thorns, which gave rise to the name “della Spina,” meaning “of the thorn.”

In the 19th century, the building was dismantled and carefully reconstructed at a slightly higher level to protect it from flooding by the Arno. The extensive restoration altered parts of the structure, drawing criticism from some observers of the time. Inside, the decoration is much more restrained than the exterior, partly due to later renovations. At the center stands an important Gothic sculpture, the Madonna of the Rose, created by Andrea and Nino Pisano.

Despite its modest size, Santa Maria della Spina remains one of Pisa’s most visually intricate and historically distinctive landmarks.