Chiesa di San Sisto, Lucca Travel Guide

The Chiesa di San Sisto, nestled on Piazza Francesco Buonamici, is a significant landmark reflecting Pisa's rich history and architectural heritage. Founded in 1087, the church commemorates the Pisan Republic's victory over the Saracens at Al Mahdiya. Its dedication to San Sisto (Pope Sixtus II) honors the former patron saint of Pisa.The church's architecture exemplifies the Pisan-Romanesque style, characterized by its stone construction, blind arches, and the integration of ceramic basins. These ceramic basins, many of Islamic origin, highlight the multicultural influences present in Pisa during its period of maritime expansion in the 11th and 12th centuries. While the originals are now housed in the National Museum of San Matteo, copies adorn the church's exterior. The façade is divided into three sections by pilaster strips, featuring a mullioned window and arches that extend around the building. The simple interior, divided into three naves by columns with Roman capitals, evokes a sense of medieval sobriety.Throughout its history, the Chiesa di San Sisto played a vital role in Pisan civic life. It served as a venue for important notary acts of the Pisan commune. Today, the church displays flags of Pisa's historic districts and an 11th-century Arabic inscription, further underscoring its historical importance. The main altar, sculpted in 1730 by Andrea Vaccà, and a 14th-century wooden crucifix modeled after the Volto Santo of Lucca, are notable interior features.