E00471: The Piacenza Pilgrim records his visit to a basilica of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033) in a portico by a pool, and to the church of *Isicius (probably Hesychios, priest and saint of Jerusalem, S00261), outside the walls; both at Jerusalem. Account of an anonymous pilgrim, written in Latin, probably in Placentia (northern Italy), c. 570.

Pilgrim of Piacenza, Itinerarium 27

First recension
Reuertentibus nobis in ciuitatem uenimus ad piscina natatoria, quae habet quinque porticus, ex quibus una habet basilicam sanctae Mariae, in qua multae fiunt uirtutes ... Item exeuntibus nobis ad portam maiorem uenimus ad sanctum Isicium, qui ibidem in corpore iacet, ubi etiam et panes erogantur ad homines pauperes et peregrinos, quod deputauit Helena.

'Returning inside the city, we came to a swimming pool, which has five porticoes, and to one of them is attached the basilica of saint Mary, in which many miracles take place ... Then, going out to the great gate, we came to the tomb of saint Isitius [Hesychius?], whose body lies there and where Helena provided for the distribution of bread to the poor and strangers.'


Second recension
Reuertentibus nobis in ciuitatem uenimus ad piscinam natatoria, quae quinque porticus habet; et in uno earum est basilica sanctae Mariae, ubi multae fiunt uirtutes ... Item exeuntibus nobis a porta iorem uenimus ad locum, ubi requiescit sanctus Ysicius. Ibi etiam erogantur pauperibus panes, quos deputauit beata Helena.

'Returning inside the city, we came to a swimming pool, which has five porticoes, and in one of them is the basilica of saint Mary, in which many miracles take place ... Then, going out to the gate Iorem, we came to the tomb of saint Ysicius (Hesychius?), whose body lies there and where blessed Helena provided for the distribution of bread to the poor '


Text: Geyer 1898, 177 and 208. Translation: Wilkinson 2002, 142, lightly modified.