Basilica Cateriniana Di S. Domenico
Basilica Cateriniana Di S. Domenico
4
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
About
St. Catherine passed a large part of her life inside the walls of this stupendous Basilica, which was one of the first to be dedicated to St. Dominic. It was begun by the Dominicans in 1226 on the hill of Camporegio which they had received as a gift from the Malavolti family. Most of the actual rectangular nave and the inside roof with its tranverse beams, all in Gothic Cistercian style, go back to this epoch.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
787 reviews
Excellent
282
Very good
346
Average
144
Poor
16
Terrible
0
G.B.
822 contributions
Sep 2021
The church truly deserves to be visited all of it but the gem inside is clearly the Chapel of St. Catherine. It contains the reliquary dedicated to the saint (even containing the saint's head). There are also several frescoes by "Sodoma" and "Vanni" that make this place unique.
Written November 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mal
Blackburn, UK135 contributions
Feb 2020
Nice to have a 10-15 minutes look around inside. Very quiet and peacefu,l it must be said. Keep in mind that no photos or videos are allowed, and everyone was respecting this rule. Outside the Basilica are nice views of Siena town.
Written April 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Asiyah Noemi K
Pula, Croatia5,332 contributions
Jan 2020
The first thing we see when we come to Siena is this beautiful Basilica. We are amazed by her beauty and grandeur. The Basilica of San Domenico is one of the most important churches in Siena. It contains a multitude of important frescoes and relics. Her history is more than interesting. Much of the mystical life of Saint Catherine took place within the walls of this beautiful Basilica, which was one of the first to be dedicated to St. Dominic.The Dominicans arrived in Siena in 1220, a year before the death of their founder Domenico di Guzmán. And they begin the construction of this Basilica in 1226 on the hill of Camporegio which they received as a gift from the Malavolti family. It was built in stages and completed in 1465, in Gothic style. The Church contains a magnificent Maestà by Guido da Siena (master to Duccio of Boninsegna) dating back to 1221. The old Chapter Room, the old Sacresty, the Refectory and the Dormitory were all built with the original Church and the Cloister was frescoed by Lippo Memmi and Lippo Vanni. In the first half of the fourteenth century the new Church (crypt and transept rest are from the old Church) was built on the steep side of Camporegio hill overlooking the district of Fontebranda where St. Catherine had been born. Catherine of Siena was a mystic, activist, and author who had a great influence on Italian literature and the Catholic Church. When she began going to Church of St. Dominic the new edifice was already almost finished. Catherine of Siena is one of the outstanding figures of medieval Catholicism, by the strong influence she has had in the history of the papacy and her extensive authorship. She was behind the return of the Pope from Avignon to Rome, and then carried out many missions entrusted by the pope, something quite rare for a woman in the Middle Ages. Her Dialogue, hundreds of letters, and dozens of prayers, also give her a prominent place in the history of Italian literature. After the canonization of St. Catherine in 1461 the Basilica accepted the most precious Caterian codes and many relics (contains the head-relic of Saint Catherine). They are located in La cappella di Santa Caterina.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lissy0717
Waterford, NY657 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
In comparison to many basilica's we had visited throughout Italy, this is a plain church with very few benches - strategically placed but the history is compelling.
St Catherine decided at a very young age that she wanted to be a nun. She wore chains every day until she died (at age 33).
During her lifetime, she wrote to the pope giving him all of the reasons she thought he should move back to Rome from France - and he did! A Pope has been in Italy ever since.
Some of the displays include St Catherine's thumb and head. Her life story is amazing and I hope you hear it all.
I am not a religious person, but I had quite an experience. I sat on a pew in front of the display of her shrouded head just thinking about the life she had lead - because I was so impressed by her story - and just started "talking" to her. My daughter was experiencing a problem at the time I was in Italy and I thought if anyone could save her, St. Catherine could. I was compelled to light a candle and say a prayer.
Go - if you can - and just sit for a while.
By the way - at my daughter's next doctor's visit - she was fine.
St Catherine decided at a very young age that she wanted to be a nun. She wore chains every day until she died (at age 33).
During her lifetime, she wrote to the pope giving him all of the reasons she thought he should move back to Rome from France - and he did! A Pope has been in Italy ever since.
Some of the displays include St Catherine's thumb and head. Her life story is amazing and I hope you hear it all.
I am not a religious person, but I had quite an experience. I sat on a pew in front of the display of her shrouded head just thinking about the life she had lead - because I was so impressed by her story - and just started "talking" to her. My daughter was experiencing a problem at the time I was in Italy and I thought if anyone could save her, St. Catherine could. I was compelled to light a candle and say a prayer.
Go - if you can - and just sit for a while.
By the way - at my daughter's next doctor's visit - she was fine.
Written January 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HyMaryland
Rockville, MD132 contributions
Oct 2019
We visited during a walking tour of Siena. Beautiful church. See St. Catherine relics. No photos allowed. All I have is a photo from the outside.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grazie per la sua attenzione
Written March 21, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Travelers Voice
Conroe, TX2,325 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
This church sits ominously at the top of a hill overlooking Porte Fontebranda. The church is relatively plain, both inside and out. It is not ornately adorned as many other Italian basilicas. However, it is unique in its impressive wood-beamed roof. And, there are many ‘modern’ eclectic stained glass windows from the 60’s and 70’s. The relics of St. Catherine are here and are the main attraction for many of the Catholic faith.
Written December 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicky Silve
Abbadia Lariana, Italy674 contributions
Aug 2022
Despite its name, St Catherine’s head is displayed there. Aesthetically this church is not as interesting as the main Cathedral, but it worths the visit. Tip: it’s forbidden to take photos.
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sjgossett
19 contributions
Jul 2019
The finger of st Catherine was on display. Very strange. Make sure you bring a shawl to cover your shoulders for each cathedral or church. It was hot and I has on a short sleeved dress. However, some in our group has to buy a wrap to enter as a matter of respect.
Written September 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PotterygirlNYC
New York City, NY88 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We stopped her briefly as part of a walking tour. It's interesting and the area nearby is nice. I would not skip the Duomo to come here if you are on a limited time schedule. Otherwise, it might be worth a quick visit.
Written June 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Torni a trovarci con calma, resterà stupito!!!
Written June 6, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
okiesweeney
Tulsa78 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
I can never get over the fascination folks have with old body parts. If you want to the finger and head of a St. Catherine. , this is your place
Written July 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
La testa è vera, abbiamo le lettere in cui il Papa concede la reliquia al nostro convento
Written August 21, 2020
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