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The Church of Sant’Erasmo, dedicated to the patron saint of Porto Ercole, was built in the 15th century by the Sienese and expanded in the centuries that followed.
The Church of Sant’Erasmo is the ancient castle church dedicated to the town’s patron saint.
The first religious building was constructed in the 15th century by the Sienese and was subsequently expanded over the centuries.
The façade features a beautiful Renaissance portal attributed to the Florentine architect Bernardo Buontalenti and a sculpted rose window.
The bell tower, on the other hand, is much more recent, dating from 1915. The interior consists of a large central hall that opens into a square choir, flanked on the left by a later-added side aisle that was built over one of the town’s streets, which had been filled in for that purpose.
The ceiling dates back to the 17th century and beyond; in addition to the baptismal font andthe altar made of polychrome and red marble, visitors can admire the frescoed chapels, the tombstones of several Spanish officers, and the bust of the patron saint.
The Church of Sant’Erasmo is located within a historic district with restricted traffic (ZTL), so it is not possible to reach it by car.
The nearest access point is Piazza Ricasoli, where cars are permitted to stop to let passengers out. From there, a pedestrian path leads to the church.
The trail is about 100 meters long, with an elevation gain of about 20 meters.
The path follows a stone-paved road, which becomes a steep staircase with uneven steps in the final section. This section requires a good level of physical fitness.
The historic stone pavement has an uneven surface and a steep incline.
For this reason, we recommend wearing comfortable, sturdy shoes with non-slip soles.
