See our Italy Map for a much larger map with cities and attractions marked.

Italy

Italy is a southern European country that has had a tremendous influence on the culture and religion of the entire Mediterranean region and, by extension, much of the Western world. Rome, modern Italy's capital and the "Eternal City," was once the administrative and spiritual center of an empire that stretched across the entire known world. It later became the administrative and spiritual center of Christianity, which grew to become the largest religion in the world.

As might be expected in a place with such an important history, Italy is home to a vast array of sacred sites encompassing a variety of traditions, from ancient Roman temples and early Christian sites to medieval synagogues and magnificent Renaissance cathedrals.

italy Guide

English Name:	italy
Local Name:	Italia
Time Zone:	CET (UTC+1); summer: CEST (UTC+2)
Calling Code:	39
Area:	301,230 sq km
Population:	58,126,212 (July 2009 est.)
Languages:	Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region), French (small minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (minority in Trieste-Gorizia area)
Religions:	Roman Catholic 90% (about one-third practicing), other 10% (includes mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community)

	Italy Sacred Sites Index Browse our illustrated index of sacred sites and religious places
	Italy Map A detailed interactive map of Italy with major cities and religious sites marked, plus links to travel maps and more
	Italy Books A hand-selected gallery of books on Italy specially chosen for Sacred Destinations readers
	Italy Photo Gallery Explore our large collection of quality photos from Italy
	Italy Flight Search Enter dates to compare prices from multiple travel sites
	Italy Rail Passes Save on the cost of train tickets by purchasing a pass before you go

Featured Destinations in Italy (List All Destinations)

Leaning Tower

Pisa

One of Europe's great icons, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the campanile (bell tower) of Pisa Cathedral. In addition to its astonishing lean, the tower is notable for its magnificent Romanesque arcading.

Basilica di San Francesco

Assisi

Filled with spectacular frescoes by Giotto, this church is Assisi's crowning glory. It is a place of pilgrimage for Francis devotees and art lovers alike.

Sant'Ambrogio

Milan

Noted for its architecture, this basilica was consecrated by St. Ambrose in 387 AD. It became the model for all Lombard Romanesque churches.

Italy City Guides

Assisi
Assisi is most famous as the birthplace of St. Francis, the patron saint of Italy, founder of the Franciscan order and one of the most popular Catholic saints in the world.

Florence
Located on the Arno River in Tuscany, Florence is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance that spread throughout the western world. The city abounds in beautiful sacred art and religious buildings, such as the Duomo with its famous dome by Brunelleschi.

Milan
Milan is Italy's business hub and center of chic. Leonardo's Last Supper and other great works of art are here, as well as a grand cathedral, many notable churches, a synagogue, and ancient Christian sites like the baptistery under the Duomo.

Paestum
Settled by Greek colonists in the 6th century BC, Paestum was later occupied by Lucanians, Romans and Christians. Today, it boasts three well-preserved Greek temples, ruins of Roman houses, an ancient church and a museum of Greek artifacts.

Palermo
This Sicilian city has been ruled by Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards, and its architecture reflects its varied history. Here you can visit lovely churches, creepy catacombs and an excellent archaeological museum.

Pisa
There is a lot more to the Tuscan city of Pisa than its famous Leaning Tower, especially for art and architecture buffs. The tower, cathedral, baptistery and monumental cemetery form a beautiful architectural ensemble that spreads across the flat and green Campo dei Miracoli.

Ravenna
Once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, the pleasant town of Ravenna is famed for its wealth of Byzantine architecture and mosaics.

Rome
The Eternal City has been an important political center and holy city since ancient times. Rome's long and rich history make it an ideal place to explore the holy places of a wide variety of religious traditions, as well as some of the most important Catholic sites in the world.

Siena
This Tuscan city known as the manageable Florence is home to the shrine of St. Catherine of Siena, lots of great churches and one of the most impressive cathedrals in Italy.

Siracusa
Of all the ancient Greek cities that flourished on the coast of Sicily, Syracuse was the most important. A formidable competitor of Athens, in its 4th-century BC heyday Syracuse dared take on Carthage and even Rome.

Spoleto
The beautiful Umbrian town of Spoleto contains several ancient Roman and medieval sacred sites, most notably the Duomo, with Filippo Lippi's last fresco cycle, the many Romanesque churches, and a restored Roman theater.

Venice
Venice is a unique cityscape of well-worn buildings that seem to float on water and front steps that descend into the lapping waters. Positioned at the crossroads of the Byzantine and Roman worlds, Venice has acquired a unique heritage of art, architecture and culture.