Santa Chiara: A Roman Catholic Church in Pisa
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.5
- Popularity
- Low
- Country
- Italy
- Primary era
- Medieval
- Eras represented
- Medieval
- Civilizations
- Republic of Pisa
- Site type
- Religious
- Remains
- Church
On this page7 sections
History
Santa Chiara is a Roman Catholic church in Pisa, Italy, located a short distance from the Piazza dei Miracoli, the city’s historic religious square containing the cathedral, baptistery, campanile, and monumental cemetery. Originally called Santo Spirito, it was reconstructed in 1227 as a chapel serving the adjacent Santa Chiara hospital, which later became known as the Spedale Nuovo di Santo Spirito.
The church also preserves a relic traditionally identified as a thorn from the Crown of Thorns, the crown believed in Christian tradition to have been placed on Jesus during his Passion. Before reaching Santa Chiara, the relic was kept at the church of Santa Maria della Spina.
Remains
The surviving features of Santa Chiara are centered on the church itself, its decorated entrance, religious artworks, and the relic preserved within it.
Church features and artworks
Portal fresco
The portal carries a seventeenth-century fresco showing the Madonna and Child with Saints Clare and Francis. Saint Clare founded the Poor Clares, a religious order in the Franciscan tradition, while Saint Francis founded the Franciscan order.
Wooden Crucifix
Inside the church is a wooden Crucifix dating from the fifteenth or sixteenth century.
Marble Annunciation
The church contains a marble Annunciation dated 1567 and attributed to Stoldo Lorenzi, an Italian sculptor active in the sixteenth century. The scene represents the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she would bear Jesus.
Relic of the Crown of Thorns
A thorn traditionally associated with the Crown of Thorns is kept in the church. Its earlier place of preservation was Santa Maria della Spina.
