The Basilica of St Catherine and St Dominic begun in 1226 on the hill of Camporegio.
A view of the church. St Catherine spent most of her life within the walls.
The view of the Duomo from St Catherine
The church is a very simple affair by Italian standards. It's, as are all of these buildings very large, but simply decorated.
The sacred head.
St Catherine was canonized in 1461. The most important relic in the church is the head of St Catherine which was brought from Rome to Siena in 1383 by the Blessed Raymond of Capua. It was originally placed in a copper container, then in a silver one with a wicked upside down crown, still on display, and in 1711 to a silver lamp designed by Giovanni Piamontini. In 1947 the Dominican Fathers thought it better to place it in a silver urn inside a small Gothic temple.....you can see her in the middle of the picture above. they sell grisly pictures of her head and ask that you not take picture. but I couldn't resist as she seemed to be winking at me.
There has been some talk that it is, in fact, not the head of St Catherine, but it has been in the church for a long time.
The very impressive Maesta by Guido di Siena dated 1221, he is the first known master of Sienese art.
The old sacristy
Looking up at remnants of the ceiling.
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