The Chiesa di Santo Sepolcro in Pisa is located just off the Lungarno Galileo Galilei in Pisa. The oldest document referring to this church, which has an octagonal floor plan, dates back to 1138. The building flanking the church is the Palazzo dei Cavalieri di Malta.
Chiesa del Santo Sepolcro in Pisa, a brief history
The Santo Sepolcro church was built for the Order of the Knights Hospitaller (officially known as the Order of Knights of the Hospital of St. John in Jerusalem). During a restoration of the original church in towards the end of the 16th century, a portico and some windows were added. In the 19th century, Giovanni Rosini returned the church more or less to its original state. Other restorations took place after the 1966 flooding of the Arno.
What to see
The church is surrounded by a deep trench, dug in order to be able to show the original medieval base. Both the north and south entrance show traces of 12th century zoomorphic decorations.
The tall campanile is visible from far away and is characterized by blind arches and the white columns of its biforas. A plaque at the bottom of the tower informs the visitor that the tower was the work of Diotisalvi, the architect who also designed the Baptistery.
Interior
The main altar is placed in the center of the octagonal ambulacrum. There are several floor tombs, including the one of Maria Mancini Colonna, mistress of the French king Louis XIV. She was a niece of Cardinal Mazzarino, and died in Pisa in 1775.
Works of art include a 15th century “Madonna and Child” by Benozzo Gozzoli and in the rectory a “San Ranieri” by Giovanni Battista Tempesti, dated 1775.
What to know before your visit
Like many churches in Pisa, the church is only rarely open. The official website only gives information about Mass times. I found one website claiming that the hours are as follows: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 15:30 till 17:00. In reality this does not always seem to be the case, so it might be better to call before you visit (Tel: +39 050502728). Admission is free.
Piazza del Santo Sepolcro, Pisa
Bibliography
Bertini, Luca, Pisa itinerari. Guida alla visita della città .