Pieve di Sant'Andrea: Giovanni Pisano's Pulpit in Pistoia

The Pieve di Sant’Andrea is one of the oldest churches in Pistoia, second only to the Cathedral. Inside, it houses the renowned pulpit by Giovanni Pisano, a masterpiece of Gothic sculpture signed and dated 1301. The church stands along the Via Francigena, and its facade of white and green marble tells centuries of history.

– Pulpit by Giovanni Pisano: hexagonal structure with high reliefs narrating the life of Christ, a unique work for its intensity and movement.
– Architrave of the Magi: carved in 1166 by Gruamonte and Adeodato, depicts the journey of the Magi, a rare iconography linked to pilgrimage.
– Romanesque facade: two-tone white and green marbles, typical of the Pistoiese Romanesque style with Pisan influences.
– Via Francigena: the pieve was a stop for pilgrims heading to Santiago, and today it is part of the Cammino di San Jacopo.

Open to the public with an entrance fee of €2.50 (reduced €2).

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Copertina itinerario Pieve di Sant'Andrea: Giovanni Pisano's Pulpit in Pistoia

Pieve di Sant’Andrea, an ancient church in the heart of Pistoia, houses Giovanni Pisano’s Gothic pulpit. A two-tone Romanesque facade and the Architrave of the Magi along the Via Francigena. Information on hours and tickets.

Vicolo di Sant’Andrea, Pistoia (PT)
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Good to know

A Romanesque gem along the Via Francigena

From the 8th Century to Pisano’s Masterpiece

The Speaking Pulpit: Emotions in High Relief

The Bichrome Facade and the Journey of the Magi

Three Great Reasons to Step Inside

The Best Time to Enjoy It

A Walk in the Center of Pistoia

A Romanesque gem along the Via Francigena

Stepping into the Pieve di Sant’Andrea is like diving into the Middle Ages. The striking black-and-white striped facade immediately catches your eye, with its portal crowned by an architrave telling the story of the Magi’s journey. But it’s inside that the true masterpiece awaits: the pulpit by Giovanni Pisano, an explosion of Gothic sculpture that will leave you breathless. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply curious, this church is a must-see in Pistoia. And being on the Via Francigena adds a special charm.

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From the 8th Century to Pisano’s Masterpiece

The pieve was founded as early as the 8th century, just outside Pistoia’s first city walls. It was the second most important church after the Cathedral, with its own baptistery. In the 12th century, the architect Buono extended it, while Gruamonte and Adeodato decorated the façade. The 1166 architrave of the Magi is a rare iconographic example. Then, between 1298 and 1301, Giovanni Pisano created the pulpit. Over the centuries, altars and frescoes were added. Today, the pieve is an open-air museum.

8th century: Foundation of the pieve
1166: Architrave of the Magi by Gruamonte
1298-1301: Pulpit by Giovanni Pisano
1506: Fresco by Bernardino del Signoraccio
17th century: Addition of side altars

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The Speaking Pulpit: Emotions in High Relief

The pulpit of Sant’Andrea is an absolute masterpiece. Giovanni Pisano signed it in 1301. It is hexagonal, resting on seven columns supported by lions and a telamon. The white marble panels tell the story of Christ: from the Nativity to the Last Judgment. The figures are so lifelike they seem about to move. The use of high relief creates light effects that change throughout the day. If you sit in silence, you can almost hear the stories whispered. An experience that deserves more than a quick glance.

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The Bichrome Facade and the Journey of the Magi

The facade of the Pieve is a perfect example of Pistoian Romanesque, with white and green marbles. But the real gem is the architrave above the portal: Gruamonte and Adeodato carved the Cavalcade of the Magi in 1166, a rare theme. The Magi are depicted as pilgrims on horseback, bearing gifts. This recalls the church’s location on the Via Francigena. Look at the details: the faces, the clothes, the horses. It’s a piece of history that speaks directly to you.

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Three Great Reasons to Step Inside

First: the pulpit of Giovanni Pisano is one of the greatest masterpieces of Italian Gothic sculpture, not to be missed. Second: the architrave of the Magi is a unique iconography, linked to the Via Francigena. Third: the intimate atmosphere of the church lets you experience the Middle Ages. Plus, the ticket costs only 2.50 euros. A visit worth every penny.

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The Best Time to Enjoy It

If you want to avoid the crowds, come on weekdays, perhaps early in the morning. The light filtering through the windows magically illuminates the pulpit. Alternatively, in the afternoon, when the low sun caresses the facade. Sundays are more crowded, but entry is free during masses. For a quiet visit, choose a Tuesday or Wednesday. Remember: closed on Mondays.

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A Walk in the Center of Pistoia

Just a few minutes away on foot, you’ll find the Duomo di San Zeno, with its crypt and stunning silver altar. Not far away, the Battistero di San Giovanni in Corte. If you love Romanesque art, Pistoia is a small treasure chest. For a dive into the history of pilgrims, also visit the Ospedale di Sant’Andrea, right next to the parish church, which today welcomes travelers on the St. James’s Way.

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💡 Did You Know…?
A curious anecdote: during the plague of the 14th century, the Crucifix of Ripalta, attributed to Giovanni Pisano, was carried in procession to implore an end to the disease. The people of Pistoia considered it miraculous, and it is still preserved in the pieve, testimony to popular devotion. Another curiosity: the Architrave of the Magi is one of the few in Italy to depict the Magi on horseback, a detail that recalls the passage of pilgrims along the Via Francigena.