Santa Chiara, Catholic church near Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa, Italy
Santa Chiara is a church located in Pisa very close to the famous cathedral square. The building features a rectangular layout with a stone facade and houses religious artworks inside, including a marble Annunciation by Stoldo Lorenzi and a wooden Crucifix from the 15th century.
The building was first constructed in 1277 as Santo Spirito church and later completely rebuilt to serve as a chapel for the adjacent hospital. This transformation shows how medieval structures adapted when community needs evolved.
The name recalls its past role as a hospital chapel, reflecting a time when religious buildings served both spiritual and practical purposes for the community. Walking through the space, visitors sense how prayer and care for the sick were once intertwined here.
The church is easy to find by exploring the streets around the cathedral square and is open during daylight hours. It is best to check visiting times in advance, as they may vary depending on the season or religious occasions.
Inside, the church preserves a spine believed to come from Christ's Crown of Thorns, originally transferred from the nearby Santa Maria della Spina church. This relic drew pilgrims and made the place an important destination for religious devotion in the city.
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