Santa Maria della Spina

Santa Maria della Spina is a tiny 14th-century Gothic church on the Arno’s south bank in Pisa. Built by river merchants, it’s famed for its lace-like marble façade, pinnacles, and sculpted saints—an unexpected jewel beside the water. Although the interior is modest and often closed, its exterior detail rewards close viewing and photography. It once housed a thorn from Christ’s crown (now elsewhere), adding historical resonance. Easily combined with a riverside stroll or a visit to the nearby historic center, it’s a quick, worthwhile stop for architecture lovers and travelers seeking Pisa beyond the Leaning Tower.