The monuments and sacred places of Siena

Silent and solemn, the Basilica of San Domenico holds one of the deepest connections between Siena and Saint Catherine of Siena. Within its walls, the memory of the saint lives in a place where art, devotion, and history intertwine in a spiritual and cultural journey.

Built between 1226 and 1265 and expanded during the 14th century, the Basilica of San Domenico is also known as the Caterinian basilica due to its deep connection with Saint Catherine. Here, the saint often came to pray and matured her vocation. Even today, in a frescoed chapel, the head-relic is preserved, making this church one of the most significant references for discovering the figure of the Saint.

Just outside the historic center of Siena stands the Basilica of San Francesco, a living testament to how spirituality and daily life have intertwined over the centuries, leaving deep traces in the collective memory of Siena. The simple and sober brick facade reflects the Franciscan ideal of austerity and introduces a space where faith, art, and tradition meet.

On the hill of Valdimontone, Santa Maria dei Servi welcomes those who arrive with a view that reveals Siena in all its beauty.

The Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi stands in a panoramic position that dominates the city and overlooks Piazza Manzoni, one of the most picturesque natural terraces of Siena.

Explore the Church of the Most Holy Annunciation in Siena, guardian of Baroque art, Sienese frescoes, and the history of pilgrims, amidst spirituality, beauty, and culture in the heart of the city.

Among ancient stones and Templar symbols, the Church of San Pietro alla Magione tells centuries of faith, pilgrims, and knights, keeping silences that speak more than words. The church belonged to the Knights Templar from the 12th century and is among the few in Siena with documented direct Templar presence.

Inside, they established their headquarters, the “Mansio Templi”, and held a hospice for pilgrims, from which the church derives its name.

The history of the Church of San Pietro alla Magione:

In 1312, the church passed to the Knights Hospitaller, later being entrusted to the diocese, and still today it hosts the meetings and celebrations of the Sienese section of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

The Templars managed lands, protected pilgrims, and safeguarded goods and documents, and on the wall, one can observe the crosses of the order carved in stone. The strategic position and the slightly anomalous orientation of the building compared to the medieval urban grid suggest a symbolic link with Jerusalem or a specific point along the Via Francigena. Beneath and around the church were burials of knights and pilgrims who died on their journey, now lost to time. San Pietro was invoked especially as the protector of travelers and guarantor of the safe return of pilgrims.

In Siena, the Palio of July 2 also arises from a deep devotion: that for the Madonna of Provenzano.

The Church of Santa Maria in Provenzano is one of the most iconic places in the city, deeply linked to Marian devotion and the tradition of the Palio. It stands in the square of the same name, in the Terzo di Camollia, in an area that once housed the houses of the Ghibelline leader Provenzano Salvani, mentioned by Dante in the Divine Comedy.

Discover the Basilica dell'Osservanza in Siena, a place of art, history, and spirituality linked to San Bernardino. Admire precious artworks, breathtaking views, and the tranquility of Capriola Hill.

A church where time seems to slow down, where every corner holds stories of faith, miracles, and popular devotion. The Church of San Martino in Siena welcomes you with its simple structure, frescoes from the Sienese school, and works that tell centuries of history, ties with artisans and brotherhoods, and a tradition that still fascinates both young and old today.

The story of San Raimondo al Refugio originates from a simple and powerful idea: to provide space for welcome. Around this vision, one of the most significant Baroque complexes in Siena is built.