Madonna and Child by Nino Pisano

In the Santuario dell Annunziata chapel in Trapani is a statue reported to be by Nino Pisano, son of Andrea Pisano. It stands under an elaborate marble canopy sculpted by Antonello Gagini and surrounded by polychrome marble pillars.

Legend has it that the statue was in a church in Syria owned by Guerriggio, a Knights Templar Pisani. The statue was locked in a crate on its way to Pisa after the Pisani had been defeated by the "infidels." Nino Pisano lived between 1315-1370. The ships docked in Lampadusa and then Trapani to make repairs. The Carmelites housed the statue in the Church of Santa Maria del Parto for the months it took to repair the ships. When it was time to leave, the oxen refused to take the path to the port so apparently Guerrigio decided it was the will of the statue to stay.

The current Sanctuario dell Annunziata has the original facade of the convent church and clostier. Beside it and part of the same complex is the Museo Regionale Pepoli-very cool. More later.