E00467: The Piacenza Pilgrim records his visit to a basilica of holy *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033), its hospices for pilgrims and the sick, and the basilica of *Sophia (personified Holy Wisdom, S00705), all in Jerusalem. Account of an anonymous pilgrim, written in Latin, probably in Placentia (northern Italy), c. 570.

Pilgrim of Piacenza, Itinerarium 23

First recension
De Sion uenimus in basilica sanctae Mariae, ubi est congregatio nimia monachorum, ubi sunt et xenodochia uirorum ac mulierum, susceptio peregrinorum, mensas innumerabiles, lecta aegrotorum amplius tria milia. Et orauimus in praetorio, ubi auditus est Dominus, ubi modo est basilica sanctae Sofiae ante ruinas templi Salomonis sub platea, quae discurrit ad Siloam fontem secus porticum Salomonis.

'From Sion we went to the basilica of saint Mary, with its congregation of many monks, and its hospices for men and women. In catering for travellers they have a vast number of tables, and more than three thousand beds for the sick. We also prayed in the Praetorium where the Lord's case was heard, what is there now is the basilica of saint Sophia which is in front of the ruins of the Temple of Solomon, below the street which runs down to the spring of Siloam outside Solomon's Porch.'

There follows the description of specific places and objects related to Jesus life, which could be seen in the basilica.

The second recension follows the text of the first without important modifications.


Text: Geyer 1898, 175 and 206. Translation: Wilkinson 2002, 141, lightly modified.