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historic place and home to typical Sienese-style restaurants

Porta Romana is one of the ancient gates in the walls of Siena, located on the route of the ancient Via Cassia. It was built in 1327 - 1328 by Agnolo di Ventura and Agostino di Giovanni, equipped with battlements and a defensive wall. In 1417, Taddeo di Bartolo was commissioned to paint the fresco that was to adorn it with a depiction of the Virgin, like the other city gates, to implore divine protection for the city. In 1978, the frescoes, due to advanced deterioration, were detached and transferred to the Basilica of San Francesco. However, there is a Roman inscription at the Porta Romana!The inscription was written on a travertine tablet and, based on its graphic characters and content, can be dated to the Augustan period (27 BC – 0) saying "Silvanus sacr(um) / C. Victricius / Memor VIvir / [a] ugustalis posuit" = Caio Victricio Memore Seviro augustale dedicated a small temple to Silvanus.

In Siena, as we know, your eye always falls there, on the shell-shaped Campo or the striped marble of the Duomo. And rightly so. But then there are those places that speak to you in a different voice, more raspy and sincere. Porta Romana is one of them. Let's be clear: this isn't a small archway placed there for show. This is a beast of brick and stone, a fortress planted to the south to tell those arriving from Rome: "Be careful, you're entering Siena." It's massive, imposing, it makes you feel small and immediately reminds you that this city was once a serious thing, a power that had to be defended. It has none of the frills of other monuments; it gets straight to the point, and for me, its charm begins right there.

Very nice.

The Church of San Pietro alla Magione is one of the oldest churches in Siena. Depiction of Saint John the Baptist In the right side chapel of the church is a painting by Diego Pesco from 1760 depicting the Madonna with Saints John the Baptist and Peter. This artwork underscores the veneration of the Baptist in the church and his symbolic significance for pilgrims and believers. Symbolism for Pilgrims The church historically served as a hospice for pilgrims on the Via Francigena, an important medieval pilgrimage route. John the Baptist, known for his role as the forerunner of Christ, was often considered the patron saint of pilgrims. His depiction in the church could therefore also be interpreted as a spiritual guide for travelers. Connection to the Templars The Church of San Pietro alla Magione was once a settlement of the Knights Templar, who venerated John the Baptist as their patron saint. This connection may further explain the presence of his depiction in the church and emphasizes the historical significance of the saint in this context.

small square with trees and shade from the sun

Romanesque church from the year 998

The building complex is located in the part of the city that was once dedicated to wool processing. In the first half of the 14th century, Catherine's father, the dyer Jacopo Benincasa, rented a house here that served as a warehouse for dyeing fabrics and as a home for his large family. This very house was converted into the large sanctuary that we see today, which is divided into various colonnades, loggias, churches and oratories from different eras. The Santuario di Santa Caterina, with its impressive wall and ceiling paintings, is a sacred site. Appropriate clothing is requested - so no spontaneous visit in shorts or a miniskirt, shoulder- or crop top.