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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.
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Italy Sacred Sites List Our comprehensive index of churches, cathedrals, abbeys, temples other religious sites in Italy. Italy Satellite Map A birds-eye view of Italy with interactive, high-resolution satellite imagery! Italy Maps A collection of the best country, regional and rail maps of Italy online and in print. Italy Fact Sheet Facts and figures on Italy and its people. Italy Books Our hand-picked selection of the best travel guides to Italy and books on the history and religion of Italy. |
Tours & Day Trips in Italy
See the sights with a knowledgable guide and minimal effort - book a tour before you leave home. Italian Rail Passes If you're planning to tour Italy by train, you can save a bundle with a customized RailEurope pass. Renting a Car in Italy Explore sites off the beaten track with your own rental car. Italy Travel Forums Ask experienced travelers for travel advice or browse previous discussions. Italy Travel Packages Browse the latest package deals and discount holidays available for Italy. |
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Assisi  Assisi is most famous as the birthplace of St. Francis, the patron saint of Italy one of the most popular Catholic saints in the world, and the founder of the Franciscan order. |
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Florence The birthplace of the Renaissance abounds in sacred art and religious buildings. Among the most famous are the Duomo with its dome by Brunelleschi, the Baptistery with its elaborate bronze doors by Ghiberti, and Michelangelo's David. |
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Milan Leonardo's Last Supper and other great works of art are in Milan, as well as a spectacular Baroque Duomo, the finest of its kind. There are also a wide variety of lovely churches, a synagogue, and some ancient Christian sites. |
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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. |
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Ravenna Most people visit this central Italian city for its Byzantine mosaics - rightly so, for they are the finest outside Istanbul. The town itself is also a pleasant attraction, with old streets, many historic churches, fine shops and peaceful squares. |
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Rome The "Eternal City" has been an important world city and holy city since ancient times. Rome's long and rich history make it ideal for exploring the holy places of a wide variety of religious traditions, as well as the most important Catholic sites. |
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San Giovanni Rotondo This small town in eastern Italy centers around the shrine of St. Padre Pio, a Capuchin friar, mystic and miracle worker who died here in 1968 and was canonized in 2002. |
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Siena This "manageable Florence" in Tuscany is home to the shrine of St. Catherine of Siena, lots of churches, and one of the most impressive cathedrals in Italy. |
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Sicily Strategically poised between Europe and Africa yet belonging to neither, this island has been inhabited by the cultures of half the civilized world. Here you can explore ancient Greek temples and superb Baroque cathedrals all in one day. |
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Spoleto This Umbrian town is situated on the forested slopes of a sacred mountain of the Apennines. The city contains several ancient Roman and medieval sacred sites, most notably the Duomo (with Lippi's last fresco cycle), and the ancient Roman theater that is once again in use. |
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Syracuse (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 it dared take on Carthage and even Rome. |
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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. |
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Ancient Roman Italy Italy was, of course, the home base for the ancient Romans who once ruled half the world. It therefore has some of the best ancient temples and other Roman ruins. |
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Cathedrals of Italy Italian cathedrals (each known as "Il Duomo") are characterized by great variety, great size, and copious amounts of decoration inside and out. Some, like Venice, show strong Byzantine influences. |
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Jewish Italy An index of synagogues, ghettos, Jewish museums and other Jewish sites in Italy. There have been important Jewish communities in Italy since ancient times, and some still survive (or have been revived) today. |
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Monasteries & Abbeys of Italy Italy is home to some of the most picturesque abbeys in Europe, most of which are still intact and active. You can therefore enjoy not only the lovely architecture and peaceful setting, but a church service or Gregorian chant as well. |
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World Heritage Sites in Italy Italy has the most World Heritage Sites of any country (40), and many of them are religious in nature. See the complete list here, with links to our articles and to UNESCO. |
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Top photo by Martin Hapl, licensed under Creative Commons.
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