Collegiata di San Leonardo e Cassiano San Casciano dei Bagni

The characteristics of the church, typical of the XIIIth and XIVth centuries, brings the viewer to suppose that the church had been built inside the castle, heir to the Parish of Saint Mary in Balnea, that stands outside the perimeter walls. Throughout the centuries, both the architectural structure and the ecclesiastical organization that ruled it, underwent several changes. At the beginning it was ruled by four priests, called “ Pensionieri “of Saint William. In 1618, the church rose to the level of Memorable Cathedral. It was ruled by a Chapter of seven priests: the Archpriest, who was the most powerful, and six Canons. The community was responsible for the election of the Archpriest and the Canons. It also had the jus patronage of the church of Saint Leonard . Aside the Canons , to whom that of the Betrothal of Christ was added, there existed five “Benifizi” (Benefits) that were patronage of some illustrious families from San Casciano, who elected by themselves the priests that would have become head of such companies. During the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries the Cathedral reached its maximum splendor. It was frequented by bishops and cardinals, both Italian and foreign , that would come to San Casciano to enjoy the hot springs benefits. The Cathedral of Saint Leonard has undergone various changes in its architectural structure. Originally the church should have been placed on the western/eastern axe, in place of the present southern/northern one , with the entrance on the side, that is nowadays occupied by the Oratory of Saint Anthony, as the discovery of the original portal exactly on that side testifies. It was without doubt in a Gothic style, with an abundance of sculpted travertine elements, as, besides the portal, ruins of frames and columns testify. Later on, probably in the XVIth century, the cathedral acquired its present position, when the Company of Saint Anthony was founded and the relative church was constructed. On the major altar, there’s a splendid panel ( The Crowning of the Virgin Mary and Saints ), dated around 1490, and attributed to Pietro di Francesco Orioli.