The Soccinians Circle

South-east of the main complex, stone pillars lead into an oak grove where a circular, face-to-face stone seat forms a miniature arena integrated into the hillside. Tradition holds that followers of Lelio and Fausto Sozzini met there secretly. Its concealed position may have helped meetings escape the attention of the Inquisition.

Borgo Scopeto was regarded as an important cultural centre from the time of the Sienese jurist Mariano Sozzini. Lelio Sozzini and his nephew Fausto became associated with Socinianism, an ethical and theological movement that spread through Europe and the United States and contributed to the development of religious freedom.