Church of San Sisto (Chiesa di San Sisto) Tours and Activities

The Church of San Sisto (Chiesa di San Sisto) is one of the oldest in Pisa, and its simple stone facade is an excellent example of early Pisan-Romanesque architecture. Contrast this modest masterpiece with another of Pisa's attractions, the ornate Gothic Duomo, by taking a guided tour of both.

The Basics
Journey back in time at the Church of San Sisto—its original 11th century stone facade is almost completely intact. Inside, find replicas of 10th- and 11th-century Islamic ceramics (the originals are in St. Matthews Museum), an Arabic funerary stone, and the rudder from a 13th- or 14th-century Pisan galley, which serve as reminders that this Tuscan city was once a global naval power.

Take a guided walking tour of Pisa to see historic center highlights, such as the Church of San Sisto, Santa Maria della Spina, and Piazza dei Cavalieri. Such tours typically include skip-the-line tickets to the Duomo complex in Piazza dei Miracoli where you can view Pisa’s famed cathedral along with the Leaning Tower and baptistery. Opt for a full-day tour to combine a Pisa visit with nearby towns of Lucca, Siena, or San Gimignano.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Wear modest attire covering shoulders and knees when visiting the church.
• If you take a walking tour of Pisa, choose comfortable shoes and wear a hat and sunscreen in summer.
• The Church of San Sisto is less famous than the city’s Duomo and a quiet respite from the crowds thronging Piazza dei Miracoli.
• The church is accessible to wheelchair users.

How to Get There
The Church of San Sisto is located at Piazza Francesco Buonamici in the historic center of Pisa, a short walk from Piazza dei Miracoli and other top attractions in Pisa’s old town.

When to Get There
Piazza dei Miracoli is crowded from late morning through the afternoon, so tour San Sisto and other quieter sights in Pisa’s historic center during those hours to escape the throngs of tourists. The church closes briefly at midday.

Pisa: More Than Just the Leaning Tower
Most visitors come to Pisa to see its iconic bell tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, adjacent the Duomo in Piazza dei Miracoli. The city offers a historic center with important historic churches and palaces. In addition to the Romanesque San Sisto, visit the 14th-century Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina, covered in intricate and fanciful stonework and the medieval Piazza dei Cavalieri, remodeled by the architect Vasari in the 16th century.