Santa Maria della Spina is one of the first things that catches your attention by walking along the Arno (on the Lurgarno).

It is situated near the Ponte Solferino, it is one bridge from the city main roads (Borgo Stretto and Corso Italia) where there is Palazzo Gambacorti, the municipality. (Easily reachable by feet)
It was edified in 1230 as an oratory to protect the "ponte novo", a bridge linking S. Antonio and S. Maria road and it was called S. Maria del pontenovo.

It is the result of a lot of works: maintenance and enlarging one, it was first edified on the Arno river and then dismantled and rebuild upon the Lungarno around 1871.

It has the typical Gothic aspects mixed with Romanesque and Oriental ones. In Italy this architectural style is known as Gotico Pisano.

It is a little building, but rich on decoration, it is the result of many years work because it was completed in 1376, made with Carrara double chromic marble with three pyramidal pinnacles on his back, it's full of sculptures of famous Italian artists like Giovanni Pisano, Luigi Corona, Nicola Pisano, and other more, such as the "Madonna col Bambino" (Giovanni Pisano) and the twelve apostle statue.

Inside it is very simple, not so decorated as the outside, also because a lot of its paintings were moved in occasion of the 1871 works.

However you can see the "Madonna del latte" and the "Madonna con Bambino" sculptures by Andrea and Nino Pisano (the second is also known as "Madonna della rosa").

I strictly recommend you to visit it, the entrance ticket

entry fee

Full ticket: € 1,50,  group discount on 15 or more: € 1,00 each. Free admission: child under 10  and  Senior citizen over 65.

all-inclusive tickets

All-inclusive ticket is available for entry to the Church of Santa Maria della Spina and The Guelph Tower of the old Citadel: full  € 2,50, group discount on 15 or more € 2,00. Free admission: child under 10  and  Senior citizen over 65.

Open in

January, February, November, December:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00-14.00
March and October
- Tuesday to Friday: 10.00-13.00 and 14.30-17.00

Closed on Monday, from 24 December to the 2nd of January, the 1st of march and the 15th of August.

Advantages

A really little jewel you can't miss.

Disadvantages

The most important part of it it's his exterior view