Pisa - Chiesa di San Sisto

The "Chiesa di San Sisto" was consecrated in 1133, but it is probably about a century older. In the dim light of a late afternoon, the church looks very "basic" with the wooden roof. Some of the capitals are reused Roman ones.

The church is dedicated to the martyr San Sisto (aka "Pope Sixtus II"), who was the patron saint of Pisa at that time.

San Sisto´s feast was celebrated on August 6th. On August 6th 1284 the "Battle of Meloria" was fought between the fleets of the Republics of Genoa and Pisa.

Genoa won that battle. More than 10.000 Pisan soldiers got killed - and the decline of the Republic of Pisa began. This was the end of Saint Sisto´s career as patron saint of Pisa.