San Frediano, Pisa


San Frediano is a Romanesque style, Roman Catholic church in Pisa, region of Tuscany, Italy. It now functions as the church of the University of Pisa.

History

Its existence is mentioned as early as 1061. Founded by the family Buzzaccherini-Sismondi and originally dedicated to Saint Martin, it had once a hospital annexed to it.
The Romanesque façade, dating to the early 12th-century shows typical features of the Pisane medieval architecture, such as the blind arcades, the lozenges and the use of bichrome stones. In the upper part is a large mullioned window.
The interior, despite a fire in 1675, has maintained the original basilica plan with a nave and two aisles. The marble columns have capitals decorated with Romanesque-style sculpted figures. It houses a rare cross painted on a gilded panel with the Crucifix and Histories of the Passion, several Baroque altars and 17th-century paintings by Ventura Salimbeni, Aurelio Lomi, as well as frescoes by Domenico Passignano. The dome frescoes are by Rutilio Manetti.
The sturdy bell tower is in brickwork.