- you are here: Home
- Hidden Treasures
- ‘Madonna della Gattaiola’ in Montemerano

‘Madonna della Gattaiola’ in Montemerano
In the picturesque medieval village of Montemerano, in the municipality of Manciano, is the ancient Church of San Giorgio, built in the 14th century and enlarged in the Renaissance period with the addition of the transept and apse. The restoration work carried out between the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the new millennium, has brought to light the ancient splendour of the religious building which, to date, appears well preserved.
The church is known mainly because it is home to 'The Madonna and Child with Saints', a 15th century altarpiece by Sano Di Pietro. But to the right of the altar, there is another work, certainly less known, which hides a little mystery: we are talking about the 'Madonna della Gattaiola', a painting dating from the mid-15th century (attributed to an anonymous local artist known as Master of Montemerano), now preserved in a glass case with golden frames and representing the Annunciation.
The painting, most likely, was adapted to act as a door, as it can be assumed from the insert at the top that makes the rectangular work leaving no trace of the original cusp shape.
But let's talk about its oddity: on the bottom right section you will notice the presence of a circular hole made, it is believed, by the parish priest of the time as an opening for cats that had to keep away the mice from the sacristy.
Later the gate became furniture for the church, but the hole was maintained perhaps to remind visitors of the much more practical use that this work served for a long time.
- Google+
- tumblr
Search posts
Latest posts
Siena: Ricciarelli: Siena’s sweets hailing from the far East.

Local Traditions
Alongside panforte, they are among Siena’s sweets that best represent the city. Just thinking about their orange and vanilla scent, s...
ViewFlorence: Who invented the bistecca alla fiorentina?

Local Traditions
The Florentine beefsteak is the undisputed queen of Tuscany’s gastronomy. Including the bone, and strictly cooked in ‘blood’ (i.e...
ViewTuscany: Ferdinando Innocenti: the inventor of the Lambretta.

Big Names
There is no doubt that Tuscany is a land of inventors. Just think of Leonardo da Vinci! Ferdinando Innocenti is also one of them. Do yo...
ViewFlorence: Negroni was born in Florence!

Did you know that...
Now that Mojito and Moscow Mule are all the rage as aperitifs, there are classic cocktails that have stood the test of time and moods. ...
ViewTop posts
Arezzo: Guido d'Arezzo and the invention of the music

Big Names
In Talla and surroundings people have no doubt: the inventor of the musical stave, the inventor of the music notes and also of the mode...
ViewPistoia: The Kiss of the Christs in Gavinana

Local Traditions
It is a very ancient but still popular rite. Two large processions that meet up with a Christ on the cross in front of each one: the he...
ViewSiena: Piero Carbonetti and his tin drum

Local Traditions
Subversive, persecuted, anarchist, homeless, dreamer: it is really difficult to define Piero Carbonetti, Tuscan bred and born and Garib...
ViewPisa: Kinzika, the young woman who saved Pisa from the Saracens

Local Traditions
It was really her, a young woman with an Arabian name, Kinzica, of the noble Sismondi family, to save Pisa from being sacked by Saracen...
View