category of places

Chiesa di San Sisto

About

Chiesa di San Sisto is one of Pisa’s oldest and most evocative Romanesque churches, founded in 1087 to celebrate the Pisan victory at Al‑Mahdiyya. Entirely built in stone, it preserves its original medieval character, with a façade divided by pilaster strips, blind arches, and copies of Islamic ceramic basins that reflect the city’s maritime connectionsWikipedia+1. The mullioned window is a later addition, but the overall structure remains remarkably authentic. Inside, the church has three aisles supported by columns topped with reused Roman capitals, creating a sober and atmospheric interior. Visitors can also see an 11th‑century Arabic epigraph and the rudder of a medieval Pisan galley, rare traces of the city’s seafaring pastWikipedia+1. San Sisto’s quiet, shadowed space and its unusual cusp‑shaped bell tower make it a compelling stop for anyone exploring Pisa’s early medieval heritage.

Pisa Italy

Location

Chiesa di San Sisto is located at Piazza dei Cavalieri in Pisa's historic centre, specifically in the Cortevecchia area near Piazza Francesco Buonamici. Dating to 1087, this Pisan Romanesque church boasts a simple stone facade with blind arches, Islamic majolica ceramics (originals at San Matteo Museum), and a restored 12th-century bell tower. Nearby stand Palazzo della Carovana and Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici in vibrant Knights' Square, Chiesa di Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, Palazzo dell'Orologio, bustling Borgo Stretto shops and cafés, Ponte di Mezzo over the Arno, and a quick walk to Piazza dei Miracoli with the Leaning Tower.

Chiesa di San Sisto

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