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| THE CHURCH of SANTA CATERINA |
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The façade is a typical example of
13th century Pisan architecture. The lower level has three arches with a portal beneath
the central one, above which are two rows of Gothic loggias. Busts of saints (1320) adorn
a rose-window completed in the modern era. THE INTERIOR Inside this aisleless church overed by a beamed ceiling are a number of art treasures. On the left side is a painting of the Triumph of St. Thomas attributed to Francesco Traini or Lippo Memmi (1363) and the Tomb of Archbishop Saltarelli by Nino Pisano (1342). The Angel Gabriel and Virgin Annunciate on either side of the altar are also by Nino. To the north of the church lies the area that was once Roman Pisa, but unfortunately few vestiges of it are extant today. Taking Via San Zeno |
| to the right of Santa Caterina brings
us to the 11th century church of SAN ZENO. Built over the ruins of a roman temple, but
recently restored, San Zeno now sports its original tufa façade adorned with two-part
windows and a porch. Retracing our steps in to direction of Santa Caterina, we turn into Via Santa Caterina opposite the church, and continue right along Via Carducci until we come to the ruins of the ROMAN BATHS. Erroneously called "Nero's baths", they were actually built under the reign of Trajan. |
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| THE MUSEO NAZIONALE of SAN MATTEO |
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The museum occupies thirty-eight rooms, formerly belonging to an old Benedectine monastery, restored and remodelled in 1949. The collection was started in the 18th centuty by Mons. Zucchetti and left to the Cathedral Board of Directors in 1796. Over the years, works from suppressed monasteries and convents and numerous private bequests cintributed to the collection's growth. Today, the visitor can arrive at a good undestanding of how art developed in Pisa by carefully following it in chronological order. |