Pisa, the Church of Santa Maria della Spina will be fully restored: work has already begun

The restoration of the church of Santa Maria della Spina, on the Lungarno Gambacorti, was launched in recent days by the City of Pisa. The intervention, which will affect both the interior and exterior spaces of the building, is aimed at the protection and enhancement of the monument and involves a total expenditure of 175,000 euros, of which 115,000 will be provided by the Pisa Foundation, while the remainder will be covered by municipal funds.

The work includes restoration of the wooden doors and stained glass windows, cleaning of the interior and exterior marble surfaces, overhaul of the roof and consolidation of the wooden ceiling structures. The restoration has been entrusted to Restauroitalia S.r.l. of Camaiore and will last an estimated 180 days, with completion expected by September 2026.

The two entrance doors will undergo cleaning, material analysis and specific treatments to preserve the wood. Protective finishes will also be applied to improve weather resistance without changing their original appearance. In parallel, the restoration of the stained glass windows, fundamental elements for the light and interior atmosphere of the church, currently deteriorated by the action of time and external agents, is planned. The intervention will also include the resealing of the window frames, which are affected by cracks and detachments.

A significant part of the work will involve cleaning the marble stone surfaces, both interior and exterior, carried out with non-invasive techniques and through the use of demineralized water and biodynamic chemicals. The goal is to remove deposits and encrustations without compromising the surfaces and natural grain of the material. The project also includes the overhaul of the roofing and stormwater runoff system, with the replacement of damaged elements and the application of sealants, as well as the inspection and maintenance of the lead slab to ensure the structure’s waterproof seal.

Finally, cleaning and consolidation work will be carried out on the wooden ceiling structures and decorative apparatus: initially with dry cleaning to remove dust and debris, followed by targeted treatments to remove stains and biological deposits. Consolidation will be carried out using acrylic resins capable of penetrating into the degraded wood, strengthening it without altering its appearance.

To allow the work to be carried out in safe conditions, a temporary closure of the sidewalk on Lungarno Gambacorti, in the section in front of the church, has been ordered until September 21, 2026.

“This is a comprehensive intervention,” explains the councilor for the management and enhancement of the heritage of the City of Pisa, Filippo Bedini, “which concerns both the interior and the exterior of the church. We are starting with the exterior surfaces, but the work will also affect the stained glass windows, doors and interior parts where infiltrations were found. Unlike previous restorations, work will be done on the entire surface of the building, including the spires that adorn the roof, which needed cleaning and maintenance that could no longer be postponed. The project also addresses critical issues related to the water runoff system, with an overall effort to secure and preserve the building’s roof. Work also made possible thanks to the contribution of the Pisa Foundation and the support of the Inner Wheel club of Pisa, which has expressed its intention to finance the restoration of one of the gates by promoting its own fundraising initiative. We are working to find additional resources, with the aim of completing the intervention by also recovering the church’s historic furnishings such as the pews and kneelers, currently not placed inside the monument, which once restored will be able to return to enrich the interior of the church in its historic guise.”

“Fondazione Pisa is supporting the restoration of the Church of Santa Maria della Spina, one of the most representative churches in Pisa and an important reference in tourist itineraries that enhance the discovery routes of the historic center. It is supporting it with a contribution that largely covers the request made by the municipal administration. The intervention falls within the sector of cultural heritage, an area to which Fondazione, when called upon, pays great attention, so as not to fail to provide support to protect and preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the city,” says Stefano Del Corso, president of Fondazione Pisa.

Pisa, the Church of Santa Maria della Spina will be fully restored: work has already begun

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