Based on tradition, the Church of Saint Cristina was funded in 840 and consecrated on the 24th of August 842.
The origins of the Church are certainly previous 1000. Infact in a document of the year 1006 ( ASP source ) and in a later one, the Church was dedicated to Saint Cristina, whereas, from other documents, the sacred place
was dedicated to Saint Bartolomeo.
The Church depended on the Chapter of the Dome of Pisa. The Parish Priest received the title of Prior in 1815.
The Italian Patron and European co-patron Saint Caterina from Siena received the Holy Stigmata, on the 1st of April 1375, whilst She was kneeling in prayer in front of a crucifix. In memory of the great event there is a tablet near
an ancient pillar beside the altar dedicated to Saint Caterina, on the right side, which indicates the exact point where the miracle took place.
On the right of the High Altar, a painting of Domenico da Passignano (XVII sec.) is testimony of the moment when Our Lord gave the Holy Stigmata in gift to Saint Caterina from Siena.
In 1563 the crucifix from whom Saint Caterina received the Stigmata, and which is probably a work of Giunta Pisano, was brought to Siena and is now preserved in the chapel of Saint Caterina's house.
For this reason , the Church was proclaimed Sanctuary of Saint Caterina.
During a visit to Pisa on the 24th of September 1989 His Holiness Pope Giovanni Paolo II remained in prayer in the Sanctuary.