St. Catherine Sanctuary, Siena
Saint Catherine of Siena is one of Siena's most revered citizens. She is known as "the mystic of politics" and fought corruption in the Catholic Church. She traveled to convince the Pope to move back to Rome from Avignon.
The Saint Catherine Sanctuary is not a church but rather Catherine's home, which now includes several chapels and a cloister with a marble well.
Saint Catherine was born in this home in 1347 and lived here with her 23 siblings. At an early age, she joined the Dominican order of nuns and devoted her life to caring for the ill and poor. The order allowed nuns to serve from their homes rather than living in a convent.
The home has been adapted and changed over the centuries, but it is still a place of peace, reverence, and pilgrimage. Walls are decorated with frescoes depicting Saint Catherine's life. Visitors can see the tiny room Saint Catherine slept in.
The Chapel of the Crucifix features a 12th-century crucifix. This cross was responsible for miraculously piercing Saint Catherine's hands, feet, and heart with the stigmata of Christ. Saint Catherine died young at the age of 33 in 1380. She was canonized in 1461.
The Saint Catherine Sanctuary is not a church but rather Catherine's home, which now includes several chapels and a cloister with a marble well.
Saint Catherine was born in this home in 1347 and lived here with her 23 siblings. At an early age, she joined the Dominican order of nuns and devoted her life to caring for the ill and poor. The order allowed nuns to serve from their homes rather than living in a convent.
The home has been adapted and changed over the centuries, but it is still a place of peace, reverence, and pilgrimage. Walls are decorated with frescoes depicting Saint Catherine's life. Visitors can see the tiny room Saint Catherine slept in.
The Chapel of the Crucifix features a 12th-century crucifix. This cross was responsible for miraculously piercing Saint Catherine's hands, feet, and heart with the stigmata of Christ. Saint Catherine died young at the age of 33 in 1380. She was canonized in 1461.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Siena. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
St. Catherine Sanctuary on Map
Sight Name: St. Catherine Sanctuary
Sight Location: Siena, Italy (See walking tours in Siena)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Siena, Italy (See walking tours in Siena)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Siena, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Siena
Creating your own self-guided walk in Siena is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Medieval Siena Walking Tour
Siena is a beautiful medieval city whose Gothic-era identity, acquired between the 12th and 15th centuries, has been successfully preserved due to the centuries of political and economic irrelevance in the shadow of its grander neighbor Florence. Today's Siena is a cultural gold mine and ideal place to revel in medieval Italy.
No tour of Siena is complete without visiting its heart, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
No tour of Siena is complete without visiting its heart, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Siena Old Town Walking Tour
Siena was originally settled by Etruscans of Italy and later settled by Romans, who emulated Etruscan culture and named the city Sena Julia. The Lombard Kings then developed the city. By the 12th century, Siena was self-governing.
Siena established the Council of Nine in 1270. This Council was responsible for a flourishing economy, a focus on art, and a building boom. In 1348, Siena was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Siena established the Council of Nine in 1270. This Council was responsible for a flourishing economy, a focus on art, and a building boom. In 1348, Siena was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Siena's Palaces Walking Tour
A leisurely stroll through downtown Siena – a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of imperious castles, palaces and other historic buildings – promises an exciting day of discovery and a pleasant experience for architecture buffs.
While most Italian cities have a church on their main square, Siena's famous Piazza Del Campo gathers around the city hall, known as Palazzo Pubblico... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.7 Km or 0.4 Miles
While most Italian cities have a church on their main square, Siena's famous Piazza Del Campo gathers around the city hall, known as Palazzo Pubblico... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.7 Km or 0.4 Miles