The Relic of the Rose: Saint Catherine's Visions, Sacred Relics, and the History of the Basilica of San Domenico in Siena (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798235511095)

Can stone, brick, and sacred relics bridge the divide between our century and the fiery faith of the Middle Ages?

When you step across the threshold of a holy shrine, do you see merely an ancient monument, or do you feel the lingering presence of divine grace that built it? For those who seek to truly experience history rather than simply read about it, the physical walls of sacred architecture hold the key.

The Relic of the Rose takes you directly onto the red-brick hilltop of Camporegio in Siena, Italy. In this meticulously researched masterwork, Bernard de Clare uncovers the eight-century history of the Basilica of San Domenico-the formidable Dominican fortress that witnessed the astonishing life, ecstasies, and miracles of Saint Catherine. From its founding in 1225 following Saint Dominic's journey through Tuscany to its role as a bastion during the fall of the Sienese Republic, this book provides an uncompromising look at how faith survived war, siege, plague, and catastrophic earthquakes.

You will walk the unadorned Gothic nave where Saint Catherine underwent her mystical marriage to Christ, stand in the Cappella delle Volte where her vivid likeness was painted in fresco while she still lived, and trace the miraculous stealth operation of 1385 that brought her incorruptible head home from Rome to Siena. De Clare brings rigorous historical fidelity to every page, detailing the architectural engineering of Cistercian-Gothic brickwork, the Renaissance genius of Sodoma's sacred murals, and the deep civic identity of the Sienese Contrade whose banners line the sanctuary walls.

This is not a light travelogue or a superficial summary. Written for the discerning history scholar and the devout believer alike, this volume synthesizes primary monastic records, Renaissance art history, and Catholic theology into an immersive journey. You will discover how this brick sanctuary withstood artillery during Spanish military occupations, survived firestorms in the 15th century, and preserved its sacred treasures through centuries of political upheaval.

Are you ready to stand within the sacred shadows of Siena and encounter a faith that carved itself into stone and brick for eternity?