On a March day in 1347, in the Fontebranda district of Siena where wool dyers plied their trade, a cloth merchant's wife gave birth to her twenty-fourth child. The girl was named Caterina, and before she turned seven she had experienced her first vision of Christ—seated in glory above the Church of San Domenico, blessing her from the sky. By sixteen she had joined the Dominican Third Order, refusing her parents' plans for marriage. By thirty she would persuade a pope to end seven decades of exile in Avignon and return to Rome. At thirty-three she was dead, worn out by fasting, visions, and ceaseless advocacy for Church reform. In 1970, Pope Paul VI declared her a Doctor of the Church—one of only four women in history to receive that title—and in 1999, Pope John Paul II named her co-patron of all Europe.
Siena preserves Catherine with extraordinary intimacy. Her birthplace on the Via del Tiratoio has been transformed into a sanctuary complex, incorporating the very rooms where she grew up, received visions, and began her remarkable correspondence with popes and princes. A few streets away, in the massive brick basilica of San Domenico where she spent so many hours in prayer, her head rests in a gilded reliquary—separated from her body, which lies in Rome, but returned to her home city in 1385 and venerated here ever since. Pilgrims walking between these sites traverse the same medieval streets Catherine knew, past the same striped cathedral she entered, beneath the same Tuscan sky.
Yet Siena offers more than Catherine's memory. The city itself is a masterpiece of medieval Catholic civilization, its fan-shaped Piazza del Campo still hosting the thundering Palio horse race where contrade neighborhoods compete and winners process to the cathedral to sing the Te Deum. The Duomo rises in bands of white and green marble, its floor a labyrinth of inlaid biblical scenes, its pulpit carved by Nicola Pisano, its walls enriched by Michelangelo and Donatello. And beyond the walls, the Basilica dell'Osservanza preserves the memory of another Sienese saint—Bernardino, the fiery Franciscan preacher who spread devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus across fifteenth-century Italy.
📜 History & Spiritual Significance
Catherine Benincasa was born into the chaos of fourteenth-century Italy—plague, war, and schism wracking both Church and state. From earliest childhood she showed signs of extraordinary spiritual gifts: visions of Christ and the saints, long hours of prayer, severe fasting that alarmed her parents. At sixteen she received the Dominican habit as a mantellata, a member of the Third Order who lived at home rather than in a convent. For three years she remained in almost total seclusion in a small room of her family's house, speaking only to her confessor and experiencing mystical union with God.
In 1368, Catherine emerged from her solitude, convinced by a vision that she must serve the poor and sick. She gathered around her a "family" of disciples—priests, nobles, ordinary laypeople—who called her "Mama" though she was barely twenty. She nursed plague victims, visited prisoners, counseled the troubled. Her reputation spread. Soon she was writing letters to princes and cardinals, urging peace between warring Italian cities, demanding reform of a clergy she saw as corrupt and worldly.
The crisis of the Avignon papacy drew her into the highest levels of Church politics. Since 1309, the popes had resided in Avignon, France, leaving Rome to decay and the papal states to anarchy. Catherine saw this exile as a betrayal of Christ's will. In 1376 she traveled to Avignon to plead with Pope Gregory XI. According to tradition, she startled him by revealing knowledge of a secret vow he had made to God: that if elected pope, he would return to Rome. Gregory had told no one of this promise. Shaken, he finally departed Avignon in September 1376, entering Rome in January 1377—ending nearly seventy years of exile.
Gregory died the following year, and the Great Western Schism erupted. Catherine spent her final two years in Rome, supporting Pope Urban VI against rival claimants, wearing herself out with prayer, fasting, and advocacy. She suffered a stroke on April 21, 1380, and died eight days later, at thirty-three—the age at which Christ died. Her body was buried in the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome, where it remains today. But within a few years, Sienese devotion demanded that something of their saint return home: in 1385, her head was carried in procession to San Domenico, where pilgrims have venerated it ever since.
Catherine's writings—particularly The Dialogue, dictated in five days of ecstatic prayer, and her 383 surviving letters—rank among the masterpieces of Christian mysticism. She described the soul's journey to God through the image of Christ as a bridge, His body stretched between earth and heaven. Her concept of "continuous prayer" was not merely reciting words but living in constant awareness of God's presence. Pope Paul VI, declaring her a Doctor of the Church in 1970, praised her as "a mystic with an amazing gift for infused knowledge of the divine mysteries" whose insights were "an enrichment of the whole Church."
☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Siena
Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina
Sanctuary of Saint Catherine's House
The birthplace and family home of Saint Catherine has been transformed into a complex of oratories and churches incorporating the original rooms. The Benincasa family rented this house in the Fontebranda district—the wool-workers' quarter—as both workshop and residence. Here Catherine was born, experienced her first visions, received the Dominican habit, and spent three years in mystical seclusion. The Oratory of the Kitchen contains Bernardino Fungai's painting of Catherine receiving the stigmata. The Oratory of the Room (Camera) corresponds to her bedroom, with frescoes depicting scenes from her childhood. The Church of the Crucifix, built 1614-1623 in Baroque style, houses the crucifix from which Catherine received the stigmata on April 1, 1375. The complex is maintained by the Dominican Order and welcomes pilgrims throughout the year.
Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico
Basilica of Saint Dominic
This imposing brick Gothic church, begun in 1226, dominates the Sienese skyline and served as Catherine's spiritual home. Here she spent countless hours in prayer, experienced visions, and joined the Dominican Third Order. The Chapel of Saint Catherine houses her most precious relic: her incorrupt head, preserved in an ornate gilded reliquary since 1385. The frescoes by Sodoma surrounding the chapel depict "The Ecstasy of Saint Catherine" and "The Fainting Caused by the Stigmata"—among the most moving artistic representations of mystical experience. Catherine's thumb is also preserved here and is used to impart blessings to Italy during the International Festival in her honor. The basilica offers daily Mass and welcomes pilgrims seeking the saint's intercession.
Duomo di Siena
Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary
One of Italy's finest Gothic cathedrals and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Duomo was consecrated in 1179 and constructed during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The façade by Giovanni Pisano rises in bands of white, green, and red marble, intricate with sculpture and mosaic. Inside, Giorgio Vasari called the marble floor "the most beautiful, largest, and most magnificent floor ever made"—fifty-six panels depicting biblical and allegorical scenes, fully visible only a few weeks each year when protective coverings are removed. The pulpit by Nicola Pisano is a masterpiece of Gothic sculpture. The Piccolomini Library preserves Pinturicchio's stunning frescoes depicting the life of Pope Pius II. Works by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Bernini enrich the interior. The cathedral complex includes the Baptistery, the Museo dell'Opera, and the site of Santa Maria della Scala—originally a hospital for pilgrims traveling the Via Francigena.
Basilica dell'Osservanza
Basilica of the Observance
Set on the Colle della Capriola about two kilometers outside Siena's walls, this Renaissance basilica was founded by Saint Bernardino of Siena in 1404 as a center of Franciscan Observant reform. Bernardino (1380-1444), born near Siena in Massa Marittima, was the most famous preacher of his age, credited with spreading devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus across Italy. His relics rest here in an elaborate urn from 1472, alongside the vestments he wore while preaching to crowds of thousands. The hilltop location offers panoramic views of Siena and provides a serene atmosphere for contemplation. The church blends Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles and contains important artworks from various periods.
Santa Maria della Scala
Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala
For over a thousand years, this vast complex opposite the Duomo served as a hospital for pilgrims traveling the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome. Founded as early as the ninth century, it grew into one of Europe's largest and most important charitable institutions. The frescoes in the Pilgrim's Hall (Pellegrinaio) depict scenes of caring for the sick and poor—among the finest secular frescoes of the Italian Renaissance. Today the building houses a museum complex, but pilgrims can still trace the route their medieval predecessors walked, entering Siena through the Porta Camollia and crossing the city to rest here before continuing to Rome.
🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations
Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena — April 29
The principal feast of Siena's patron saint brings pilgrims from across Italy and beyond. Solemn Mass is celebrated at the Sanctuary of her House and at San Domenico, where her head is carried in procession. The saint's finger relic is used to impart blessings during the International Festival in her honor. The feast commemorates the day of her death in 1380. As co-patron of Europe, Catherine's feast is observed throughout the continent.
Feast of Saint Bernardino of Siena — May 20
The memorial of Siena's other great saint draws pilgrims to the Basilica dell'Osservanza. Bernardino's fiery preaching and devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus shaped popular piety across fifteenth-century Italy. The feast includes special Masses and veneration of his relics.
Palio di Siena — July 2 and August 16
Though not a religious feast, the famous Palio horse race is deeply woven into Sienese Catholic life. Each race begins with a Mass for the jockeys at 8:00 AM in the chapel of the Palazzo Comunale. At 3:00 PM, horses receive blessings in their contrada churches—the priest telling each horse: "Go, and return a winner." After the race, winners process to the Church of Provenzano (July) or the Duomo (August) to sing the Te Deum in thanksgiving. The August 16 race coincides with the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.
🛏️ Where to Stay
Hotel Alma Domus (religious accommodation) — Run by Dominican Sisters adjacent to the Sanctuary of Saint Catherine. Clean, safe, and reasonably priced rooms in a spiritual atmosphere. Five-minute walk to Piazza del Campo. Ideal for pilgrims seeking prayerful surroundings. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
Hotel Chiusarelli ⭐⭐⭐ — Three-star hotel in a neoclassical villa, five-minute walk from the Duomo and eight minutes from Piazza del Campo. Garden courtyard and forty-eight comfortable rooms. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
Hotel Athena ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Four-star property in the old town, less than ten minutes' walk from the Duomo. One hundred rooms, elegant restaurant, terrace with panoramic views of the Tuscan hills. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
Grand Hotel Continental Siena ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Siena's only five-star luxury hotel, set in the sixteenth-century Palazzo Gori Pannilini. Fifty-one rooms and suites with period elegance, frescoed ceilings, and a 3,000-bottle wine cellar in the medieval tower base. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
🚗 Getting There
By Air: Florence Peretola Airport (FLR) is approximately 75 kilometers north. From the airport, take the T2 tram to Florence Santa Maria Novella station (20 minutes), then a regional train to Siena (approximately 1.5 hours). Alternatively, the Volainbus airport shuttle connects to Santa Maria Novella.
By Train: Regional trains run from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Siena station (approximately 1.5 hours, departures roughly hourly). The station is located just outside the city walls, about two kilometers from the historic center. Buses, taxis, or a 20-25 minute uphill walk connect to the pilgrimage sites.
By Car: From Florence, take the Raccordo Autostradale Firenze-Siena (approximately 1 hour). From Rome, take the A1 motorway north to the Valdichiana exit, then follow signs for Siena (approximately 2.5 hours). Parking outside the walls is recommended; the historic center is largely pedestrianized.
On Foot: Siena lies on the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome. Pilgrims enter through the Porta Camollia in the north, cross the historic center for approximately four kilometers, and exit through the Porta Romana toward Rome.
📚 Further Reading
Books:
Noffke, Suzanne, OP, trans. The Dialogue — Catherine's masterwork of mystical theology, dictated in five days of ecstasy, with scholarly introduction.
Undset, Sigrid. Catherine of Siena — Biography by the Nobel Prize-winning novelist, combining literary power with historical insight.
Fatula, Mary Ann, OP. Catherine of Siena's Way — Accessible introduction to Catherine's spirituality for modern readers.
Online Resources:
Sanctuary of Saint Catherine — Official website with visiting information and history.
EWTN: Saint Catherine of Siena — Biography and writings.
The Dialogue (Full Text) — Catherine's mystical masterpiece in English translation.
🎥 Recommended Videos
The Life of Saint Catherine of Siena — Documentary exploring her mysticism and historical impact.
Siena Cathedral Virtual Tour — Explore the Duomo's artistic treasures.
🔗 Useful Links
Visit Siena — Official tourism portal with practical information.
Opera del Duomo — Cathedral complex tickets and visiting hours.
Via Francigena — Information on the pilgrimage route passing through Siena.
🥾 Pilgrim Routes
Via Francigena — The ancient pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome passes directly through Siena. The city marks Stage 33 of the Italian section, with pilgrims entering through the Porta Camollia and exiting through the Porta Romana. The 1,800-kilometer route takes approximately three months on foot. Siena's position—roughly halfway between Florence and Rome—has made it a major rest stop for pilgrims since the medieval period.
🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations
Abbey of San Galgano (35 km) — The famous roofless Gothic-Cistercian abbey, built in the thirteenth century. On the hill above stands the Chapel of Monte Siepi, where an actual twelfth-century sword is embedded in stone—placed there by the knight Galgano Guidotti when he converted after visions of Archangel Michael.
San Gimignano (45 km) — Medieval hilltop town famous for its towers, a key stop on the Via Francigena. The Collegiate Church contains important Ghirlandaio frescoes. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Florence (75 km) — The Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, Santa Croce with its tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo, the Dominican church of Santa Maria Novella, and San Marco with Fra Angelico's frescoes make Florence an essential pilgrimage destination.
Cortona (70 km) — The incorrupt body of Saint Margaret of Cortona draws pilgrims to her basilica, while the hermitage of Le Celle preserves the cell where Saint Francis dictated his Testament.
Assisi (120 km) — The birthplace of Saint Francis, with the basilica housing his tomb decorated with Giotto's famous fresco cycle. One of Italy's most important pilgrimage destinations.
🪶 Closing Reflection
"Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire." — Saint Catherine of Siena, Letter T368
