Oratory of Santa Caterina della Notte

These evocative spaces, located in the heart of Santa Maria della Scala, still preserve the spiritual intensity and atmosphere that for centuries accompanied the deep devotion of pilgrims and the faithful. It was here that Saint Catherine of Siena would stop to pray and offer comfort to the sick, her presence leaving a lasting imprint on the soul of the place. Known since the 14th century as the Compagnia di San Michele Arcangelo, the brotherhood was primarily devoted to pietas for the dead. Their oratory stood near the hospital’s cemetery and the so-called carnaio — a mass grave into which remains were cast from an opening that dropped dramatically from the level of the Duomo square above to the much lower piazzetta della Selva below. In the 17th century, the oratory was richly embellished with stuccoes and paintings, including four canvases depicting scenes from the life of Saint Catherine. These works are attributed to the Sienese painters Rutilio Manetti and Francesco Rustici. On the altar stands a compelling 14th-century marble Madonna, likely the oldest devotional image venerated by the brotherhood. Flanking her are four angels and the Saints Dominic and Catherine in adoration. Among the many artworks, carvings, reliquaries, and liturgical furnishings preserved by the Compagnia, one stands out in particular: a beautiful panel painting by Taddeo di Bartolo, dated 1400, portraying the Madonna and Child, surrounded by four angels and the Saints John the Baptist and Andrew. Also noteworthy are four painted coffin panels showing Saint Catherine sheltering four brothers of the confraternity under her mantle,The Risen Christ,The Stigmata of Saint Catherine, and The Deposition. These works are attributed to an anonymous Sienese painter active in the early 16th century, offering a poignant and vivid glimpse into the devotional life and artistic richness of the oratory.