Church Parish of Santa Christina - Pisa

Initially the church was dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, but it got its present name in 1028 when the relics of Saint Christine were transferred there.

On April 1, 1375, Saint Catherine of Siena received the Saint Stigmata in this church, praying before a crucifix: five rays descended from the crucifix on her hands, feet and heart. The crucifix was transferred to Siena in 1565 and later the Church of the Crucifix was specially built in the Sanctuary of St. Catherine, where a copy from the 19th century still stands. In the Church of St. Catherine, this miraculous event is commemorated on the portal: S. Catharina virgo senesis hic recepit stigmata Christi, and by a painting by Domenico Passignano to the right of the main altar.

It was restored to its present form in 1816 to a design by Francesco Riccetti, who also built the bell tower.

Inside is a 19th century copy of the crucifix of the Pisan school (12th century), for which Saint Catherine of Siena received the stigmata in 1375 (the original was transferred to the Sanctuary of the Saint in Siena in 1565).

Willem Vandenameele