Scorcio facciata - Chiesa di San Martino (G. Bettini, Comune di Pisa)
Church of San Martino
Particolare facciata - Chiesa di San Martino (G. Bettini, Comune di Pisa)During the Middle Ages, few people travelled, usually merchants, religious and soldiers, therefore among them there were very few women. One of the few Pisan women who travelled extensively as a pilgrim was Bona da Pisa (1156 - 1207). Bona was born in the Kinzica neighbourhood and took vows at the age of 10. At 14, she embarked on her first pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Soon after her return to Pisa, she left again for Santiago de Compostela where she returned 8 more times, as well as walking up to San Michele del Gargano and down to Rome, always helping the pilgrims she met along the route. Inside the church of San Martino, near the side entrance, there is a large glass case that houses her remains. In 1962, Pope John XXIII made her the 'patroness of flight attendants'.
