Casa di Santa Caterina

The home of Siena's famous mystical medieval diplomat, St. Catherine

Francesco Vanni's Cannonization of St. Catherine of Siena (1600), in the Oratorio della Cucina of the Casa di Santa Caterina.The Casa di Santa Caterina is a quiet, cloistered church and memorial of baroque paintings built around the birthplace of Caterina Benincasa (1347–80), a medieval mystic and stateswoman who was eventually elevated to become St. Catharine of Siena, Italy’s patron saint and the first female Doctor of the Church (that's like a super-saint; there were only 33 until 2012, when two more were proposed).

Yes, she was a holy woman, but it was for her writings and her diplomatic skills that she became most revered. Catherine's letters and 1378 ambassadorship to Gregory XII in Avignon were crucial in convincing him to return the papacy from France to Rome, thus healing the schism in the church.

When you're done with the house, climb up the hill to the church of San Domenico above to see the saint's relics: her head and thumb in a chapel frecsoed by Il Sodoma.

Tips

Details

Santuario e Casa di Santa Caterina
Costadi S. Antonio 6
(» Off Via Galluzza, just below/east of the huge church of San Domenico in the Terza di Camollia)
tel. +39-0577-280-801 or +39-577-288-175
Open: Daily 9am–12:30pm and 5–6:30pm
Free

How long does the Casa di Santa Caterina take?

Planning your day: You can easily look around in about 15–20 minutes—but be sure to take the time to climb to the church of San Domenico just up the hill to see the saint's remains.