Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), an Italian religious figure and writer, is one of the figures who shaped the era in which she lived. The scale of Catherine’s personality is such that even today interest in her does not fade. Her biography and writings are studied in different countries, and not only by Catholics, and her image and ideas inspired many cultural figures: artists who captured the saint on their canvases (among them are Catherine’s contemporaries Andrea Vanni, Giovanni di Paolo, and many later painters ), and writers who dedicated entire works to her (in particular, M.I. Tchaikovsky, A.M. Allen, A.R. Bandini). Catherine of Siena is recognized as the patron saint of Rome, Italy (together with St. Francis of Assisi), the Roman Catholic Church, as well as media and communications. There are societies, monastic congregations and communities named after Catherine throughout the world. As an author of literary works, Catherine of Siena is best known for the letters she sent over a period of ten years (from 1370 until her death). This is a rare example of medieval religious prose, written by a nun and distinguished by undoubted artistic merit. The letters touch on the most important political, social, religious problems of that era: the transfer of the Holy See from Avignon to Rome and the fight against the schism within the Church, the reconciliation of church and secular authorities, the reform of the Church, the relationship of Italian cities, the establishment of peace in Italy. One can only be surprised that the modest The Dominican nun, who received a very limited education, was able not only to understand the pressing problems of her time, but also to significantly influence their solution. The recipients of her letters, in addition to ordinary people (her relatives, acquaintances, sisters in the order, monks of other orders, etc.), were Popes, cardinals, bishops, royalty, representatives of the aristocracy and city authorities, people of art. Letters of Catherine Siena is not only an invaluable evidence of her inner life, but also an important historical source, a document of the era in which a unique combination of mystical and historical principles took place. Catherine’s influence on the spiritual tradition is also undeniable, confirmed in 1970 by the inclusion of the saint (the first of the women, along with Teresa of Avila) among Doctors of the Church. The publication is equipped with an article about Catherine of Siena, notes referring to spiritual sources and explaining the concepts and realities of the second half of the 14th century, as well as an index of names and full-color illustrations, including a cycle of works by Paolo, written on the occasion of the canonization of the saint, and a complete set of miniatures (100 pcs.) from a unique manuscript of her life of the 15th century. SUMMARY: CATHERINE OF SIENA. LETTERS. Translation by A.V. Toporova I. Letters to the Pontiffs (7).II. Letters to church hierarchs (52). III. Letters to royalty and rulers (79). IV. Letters to representatives of city authorities, condottieres, townspeople (132).V. Letters to representatives of creative professions and artisans (197).VI. Letters to monks and nuns (228).VII. Letters to relatives (261).APPENDICESAA.V. Toporova. "Letters" Saint Catherine of Siena (386). Notes. Comp. A.V. Toporova (306). Main dates in the life of Catherine of Siena. Comp. A.V. Toporova (314). “Spiritual Rosary”: Illustrated Life of St. Catherine of Siena. German manuscript of the 15th century (395). Index of names. Comp. A.V. Toporova (465).List of illustrations. Comp. L.A. Sifurova (479).List of abbreviations (509).