Monastery of the Holy Saviour, Romanesque hermitage in Siena, Italy.
The Monastery of the Holy Saviour is a small hermitage with a simple stone facade and a Romanesque entrance. Inside, a single-nave church is preceded by a portico with polygonal columns, creating a modest but complete spiritual space.
The hermitage was founded in the late 12th century and underwent major renovations during the 14th century. These changes show how the site adapted over time to meet the needs of its religious community.
The frescoes inside tell stories of heaven and hell, painted in the 14th century to teach and inspire those who came to pray. These images remain visible today and help visitors understand how the space was meant to guide the spiritual experience.
The hermitage sits outside the city in a quiet rural setting and requires transportation to reach it. It remains an active spiritual retreat, so visitors should approach with respect and be mindful of prayer times.
A stone pyramid nearby marks where an 18th-century underground channel began, built to drain water and improve the surrounding land. Few visitors notice this hidden engineering achievement from centuries ago.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.