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⛪ Italy's most beautiful churches and sanctuaries

100 places ordered by editorial score

  1. 1 Detailed mosaic and carved reliefs above the portal of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral in Florence. Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore Florence · Tuscany Brunelleschi's dome, the Last Judgement by Vasari and Zuccari, Paolo Uccello's backwards clock. 96
  2. 2 The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi with its lower square, bell tower, and arched colonnade. Basilica di San Francesco Assisi · Umbria Two churches stacked on the hill of the condemned, and the Franciscan cycle given to Giotto. 95
  3. 3 Ornate Gothic spires and detailed marble facade of the Duomo di Milano against a blue sky. Duomo di Milano Milan · Lombardy Six centuries of scaffolding, pink Candoglia marble and a Madonnina used as a weather report. 94
  4. 4 Byzantine mosaic depicting the Hospitality of Abraham inside the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. Mosaics of San Vitale and Galla Placidia Ravenna · Emilia-Romagna The starry vault of Galla Placidia and the Justinian and Theodora panels at San Vitale. 94
  5. 5 Giotto's frescoes on the interior walls of the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua. Scrovegni Chapel Padua · Veneto Giotto frescoed the entire chapel between 1303 and 1305, in 625 counted working days. 92
  6. 6 The Benedictine cloister and bell tower of the Duomo di Monreale in Sicily Monreale Cathedral Monreale · Sicily A Christ Pantocrator 13 metres by 7, in a church lined with gold mosaic since 1172. 91
  7. 7 Panoramic view of Siena with Basilica di San Domenico and Siena Cathedral Duomo di Siena Siena · Tuscany Over sixty inlaid floor panels, Nicola Pisano's pulpit and a cathedral never finished. 90
  8. 8 Interior nave of Orvieto Cathedral featuring striped columns and frescoes in the apse Orvieto Cathedral Orvieto · Umbria Three centuries of building, a gold mosaic front, and Signorelli's Last Judgment inside. 90
  9. 9 basilica di San Marco — Venice basilica di San Marco Venice · Veneto The doges' golden church holds St Mark's relics, gold-ground mosaics and the bronze horses of Constantinople. 88
  10. 10 Mosaic facade and grand staircase of the Duomo di Amalfi Amalfi Cathedral Amalfi · Campania Founded in 987, this cathedral preserves the relics of Saint Andrew and features 11th-century Byzantine bronze doors. 87
  11. 11 basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano — Rome basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano Rome · Lazio Rome's cathedral since Constantine's day, bearing the title of mother and head of all churches. 87
  12. 12 basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore — Rome basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore Rome · Lazio The basilica of the snow miracle, consecrated in 434, still keeps its fifth-century mosaics. 87
  13. 13 Early Christian mosaic panel depicting the Good Shepherd in the Basilica of Aquileia, Italy Basilica of Aquileia Aquileia · Friuli Venezia Giulia Spanning over 760 square meters, the West's largest early Christian mosaic anchors this historic patriarchal cathedral. 87
  14. 14 Carved Romanesque capitals on display in the Modena Cathedral Museum Modena Cathedral and Ghirlandina Modena · Emilia-Romagna Founded in 1099, this Romanesque UNESCO World Heritage site is celebrated for Wiligelmus's reliefs and its bell tower. 87
  15. 15 basilica di San Paolo fuori le mura — Rome basilica di San Paolo fuori le mura Rome · Lazio Rome's largest church after St Peter's, rebuilt over the Apostle Paul's tomb after the fire of 1823. 86
  16. 16 Inlaid wooden choir stalls featuring figures of saints inside the Certosa di Pavia. Certosa di Pavia Certosa di Pavia · Lombardy Founded in 1396 by the Duke of Milan, this Gothic-Renaissance monastery was built as the grand Visconti mausoleum. 86
  17. 17 Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell'Isola in Tropea, Calabria, overlooking the blue sea. Santa Maria dell'Isola Tropea · Calabria Founded in the 7th century on a sandstone rock, this former Byzantine retreat preserves ancient tombstone fragments. 86
  18. 18 basilica di Santa Croce — Florence basilica di Santa Croce Florence · Tuscany Italy's pantheon: Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo lie in the Franciscan basilica founded in 1294. 85
  19. 19 Baroque stone sculptures supporting a balcony on the facade of the Basilica di Santa Croce in Lecce Basilica di Santa Croce Lecce · Puglia The largest Franciscan church in the world and Italy's secular pantheon, housing the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo. 85
  20. 20 Detail of the Romanesque portal of the Basilica di San Nicola in Bari with top sculpture Basilica di San Nicola Bari · Puglia Founded in 1087 for the relics of Saint Nicholas, this fortress-like church is a masterpiece of Apulian Romanesque. 84
  21. 21 View of the Palermo Cathedral featuring its dome, clock tower, and a statue in the foreground. Cattedrale di Palermo Palermo · Sicily A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2015, this cathedral houses Gagini's marbles and the silver urn of Saint Rosalia. 84
  22. 22 Fresco depicting the Enthroned Madonna and Child inside the Parma Baptistery Parma Baptistery Parma · Emilia-Romagna Benedetto Antelami’s pink marble masterpiece, a European landmark bridging Romanesque and Gothic design in Parma. 84
  23. 23 The snow-covered Sacra di San Michele abbey perched on Mount Pirchiriano. Sacra di San Michele Sant'Ambrogio di Torino · Piedmont Perched at 960 metres on Mount Pirchiriano, this thousand-year-old abbey is the symbolic monument of Piedmont. 84
  24. 24 Stone facade of San Fruttuoso Abbey in Camogli with Gothic mullioned windows San Fruttuoso Abbey Camogli · Liguria A Romanesque abbey tied to the Doria family, accessible only by sea or wooded trails in the Portofino Natural Park. 84
  25. 25 basilica di Santa Maria Novella — Florence basilica di Santa Maria Novella Florence · Tuscany Florence's Dominican church, with Alberti's 1470 facade and Masaccio's Holy Trinity, a milestone of perspective. 83
  26. 26 Detail of the floor mosaic depicting Abraham inside Otranto Cathedral. Otranto Cathedral Otranto · Puglia Consecrated in 1088, it houses the relics of eight hundred martyrs and a monumental 12th-century floor mosaic. 83
  27. 27 basilica di San Lorenzo — Florence basilica di San Lorenzo Florence · Tuscany Brunelleschi's basilica and Medici burial church, with Michelangelo's New Sacristy and an unfinished stone facade. 82
  28. 28 duomo di Pisa — Pisa duomo di Pisa Pisa · Tuscany The devil's claw marks, a Galileo lamp that isn't the one, and a front built over a front. 82
  29. 29 Detached frescoes displayed on easels in the Tempietto Longobardo complex in Cividale del Friuli. Lombard Temple Cividale del Friuli · Friuli Venezia Giulia Founded in the 8th century, this UNESCO World Heritage site is the most intact architectural legacy of the Lombards. 82
  30. 30 basilica di San Vitale — Ravenna basilica di San Vitale Ravenna · Emilia-Romagna The octagonal church of 547 holds the Justinian and Theodora mosaics, Byzantium's finest outside Istanbul. 81
  31. 31 chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie — Milan chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie Milan · Lombardy Bramante's tribune built for Ludovico il Moro, with Leonardo's Last Supper in the refectory next door. 81
  32. 32 chiesa del Gesù — Rome chiesa del Gesù Rome · Lazio The Jesuits' mother church, copied worldwide, crowned by Baciccia's illusionistic ceiling fresco. 80
  33. 33 Facade and bell tower of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano with colorful cliffside houses. Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta Positano · Campania Built over a Roman villa, this collegiate church houses a Byzantine icon and is famous for its tiled majolica dome. 80
  34. 34 Marble facade of the Tempio Malatestiano cathedral in Rimini, Italy. Malatesta Temple Rimini · Emilia-Romagna Designed by Alberti, this Renaissance masterpiece was excommunicated in 1460 due to its overwhelming pagan symbolism. 80
  35. 35 basilica di Sant'Antonio di Padova — Padua basilica di Sant'Antonio di Padova Padua · Veneto Padua made him a saint in under a year, and his little church is still inside the basilica. 79
  36. 36 basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe — Ravenna basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe Ravenna · Emilia-Romagna The apse mosaic changed subject once work had begun, and the drawing beneath still shows. 79
  37. 37 basilica di Santa Maria della Salute — Venice basilica di Santa Maria della Salute Venice · Veneto A vow against the plague, and beneath the church a count of piles that does not add up. 79
  38. 38 basilica di Santa Maria in Aracoeli — Rome basilica di Santa Maria in Aracoeli Rome · Lazio The stairway was a vow against the plague, and the Christ Child you see is a copy. 79
  39. 39 The dome of Monastero dei Benedettini in Catania framed by blooming jacaranda trees Monastero dei Benedettini Catania · Sicily Europe's second-largest Benedictine monastery, this UNESCO-listed complex is a triumph of Sicilian late-baroque design. 79
  40. 40 La Cattolica di Stilo, a Byzantine church with brick domes in Calabria, Italy The Cattolica of Stilo Stilo · Calabria Featured on the Italian passport, the Cattolica di Stilo is a 9th-century Byzantine masterpiece with five iconic domes. 79
  41. 41 basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli — Rome basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli Rome · Lazio Two chains that welded themselves together, and the woman who had the church built. 78
  42. 42 basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo — Ravenna basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo Ravenna · Emilia-Romagna They erased Theodoric's court from the mosaic, but the hands are still on the columns. 78
  43. 43 basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva — Rome basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva Rome · Lazio It is called over Minerva, but the temple of Minerva was somewhere else. 78
  44. 44 cappella Brancacci — Florence cappella Brancacci Florence · Tuscany It stood half finished for fifty years, and the reason was not artistic but political. 78
  45. 45 The Christ the Redeemer statue on Monte San Biagio in Maratea beside ancient stone ruins. Christ the Redeemer of Maratea Maratea · Basilicata Towering 21.13 meters above Mount San Biagio, Bruno Innocenti's 1965 statue rises directly from the bare earth. 78
  46. 46 basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore — Venice basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore Venice · Veneto The church is Palladio's; the front went up some thirty years after his death. 77
  47. 47 Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le mura — Rome Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le mura Rome · Lazio Two churches welded back to back, and one of the two was turned the other way round. 77
  48. 48 basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme — Rome basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme Rome · Lazio It was not built over a martyr's tomb but to hold a piece of the Cross. 77
  49. 49 basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo — Rome basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo Rome · Lazio It stands where Nero's tomb stood, and the people of Rome paid for it. 77
  50. 50 Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere — Rome Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere Rome · Lazio Partly rebuilt with material stripped from the Baths of Caracalla. 77
  51. 51 basilica di Superga — Turin basilica di Superga Turin · Piedmont Juvarra's basilica on the hill above Turin: the vow of 1706, the Savoy royal tombs and the view over the Alps. 77
  52. 52 chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi — Rome chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi Rome · Lazio The saints of France stand on the front, and three Caravaggios hang inside. 77
  53. 53 Museo di San Marco — Florence Museo di San Marco Florence · Tuscany It was not born Dominican, and the first friars lived here two years in wooden huts. 77
  54. 54 basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo — Venice basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo Venice · Veneto It is the largest church in Venice, and it is here that the doges are buried. 76
  55. 55 Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari — Venice Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari Venice · Veneto It rose on a marsh drained by the friars, and the square in front is a filled-in canal. 76
  56. 56 chiesa di San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane — Rome chiesa di San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane Rome · Lazio They call it San Carlino: its plan covers as much ground as one pier of St Peter's. 76
  57. 57 chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola in Campo Marzio — Rome chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola in Campo Marzio Rome · Lazio The dome is not there: it is a painted canvas, and the spot to see it from is marked on the floor. 76
  58. 58 chiesa di Santa Maria della Vittoria — Rome chiesa di Santa Maria della Vittoria Rome · Lazio A Roman church that carries in its name a battle fought in Bohemia. 76
  59. 59 basilica di Massenzio — Rome basilica di Massenzio Rome · Lazio For centuries the ruins passed for a temple: the right name came back only in the nineteenth century. 75
  60. 60 basilica di Santa Cecilia in Trastevere — Rome basilica di Santa Cecilia in Trastevere Rome · Lazio Under the altar lies no body, but the marble that copies how the body was found. 75
  61. 61 basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri — Rome basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri Rome · Lazio It was not born a church: it is the central hall of the Baths of Diocletian, barely touched. 75
  62. 62 chiesa della Trinità dei Monti — Rome chiesa della Trinità dei Monti Rome · Lazio The plural in the name comes from a mistranslation: it was the Trinity of the Mount, the Pincio. 75
  63. 63 Duomo di Torino — Turin Duomo di Torino Turin · Piedmont Turin's only Renaissance church, keeper of the Shroud and of Guarini's dome, reborn after the fire. 75
  64. 64 basilica di Santo Spirito — Florence basilica di Santo Spirito Florence · Tuscany Brunelleschi's last church: the perfect arcade, Michelangelo's Crucifix and the façade never finished. 74
  65. 65 battistero degli Ariani — Ravenna battistero degli Ariani Ravenna · Emilia-Romagna Theodoric's baptistery in Ravenna: the baptism of Christ on a gold ground, Italy's only Arian building. 74
  66. 66 cattedrale di Napoli — Naples cattedrale di Napoli Naples · Campania The Duomo of San Gennaro: three churches in one, the oldest baptistery in the West and the miracle of the blood. 74
  67. 67 Tempio di Portuno — Rome Tempio di Portuno Rome · Lazio It survived because in the ninth century it was made a church, and the frescoes are still inside. 74
  68. 68 basilica di San Petronio — Bologna basilica di San Petronio Bologna · Emilia-Romagna Bologna's civic temple, Gothic and never finished: Jacopo della Quercia's portal and Cassini's meridian line. 73
  69. 69 basilica di Sant'Ambrogio — Milan basilica di Sant'Ambrogio Milan · Lombardy Ambrose's basilica, Romanesque on a fourth-century plan: the golden altar and San Vittore in Ciel d'Oro. 73
  70. 70 chiesa della Martorana — Palermo chiesa della Martorana Palermo · Sicily Palermo's Arab-Norman church famous for its 12th-century Byzantine mosaics and active Italo-Albanian Byzantine rite. 72
  71. 71 basilica di San Zeno — Verona basilica di San Zeno Verona · Veneto The masterpiece of Po Valley Romanesque: the bronze panels, the Wheel of Fortune and Mantegna's altarpiece. 71
  72. 72 basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli — Assisi basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli Assisi · Umbria The basilica around the Porziuncola: Francis's chapel, the Transito where he died and the thornless roses. 71
  73. 73 basilica di Santa Trinita — Florence basilica di Santa Trinita Florence · Tuscany The mother church of the Vallombrosans: Ghirlandaio's Sassetti chapel and Lorenzo Monaco's frescoes. 71
  74. 74 battistero Neoniano — Ravenna battistero Neoniano Ravenna · Emilia-Romagna The most complete early Christian baptistery in existence: the baptism of Christ and the apostles on blue. 71
  75. 75 cappella Sansevero — Naples cappella Sansevero Naples · Campania Sanmartino's Veiled Christ, Corradini's Modesty and the anatomical machines of the prince of Sangro. 71
  76. 76 cattedrale di San Giorgio — Ferrara cattedrale di San Giorgio Ferrara · Emilia-Romagna Romanesque below, Gothic above: Nicholaus's façade, the merchants' loggias and the Months in the museum. 71
  77. 77 chiesa di Ognissanti — Florence chiesa di Ognissanti Florence · Tuscany The Vespucci church where Botticelli lies: Saint Augustine, Ghirlandaio and the refectory Last Supper. 71
  78. 78 chiesa di Orsanmichele — Florence chiesa di Orsanmichele Florence · Tuscany The granary that became the guilds' church: the niches of Ghiberti and Donatello and Orcagna's tabernacle. 71
  79. 79 chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina — Pisa chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina Pisa · Tuscany Pisan Gothic marble lacework on the Arno, taken apart and rebuilt: the Pisanos' Madonna of the Rose. 71
  80. 80 basilica di San Domenico — Bologna basilica di San Domenico Bologna · Emilia-Romagna Saint Dominic's tomb in Bologna: Nicola Pisano's Arca with the first Michelangelo outside Florence. 70
  81. 81 basilica di San Lorenzo — Milan basilica di San Lorenzo Milan · Lombardy Milan's imperial basilica behind the Columns: the first centrally planned building of the West. 70
  82. 82 duomo di Siracusa — Syracuse duomo di Siracusa Syracuse · Sicily A Greek temple of Athena walled into a Baroque cathedral at the top of Ortygia. 70
  83. 83 santuario della Madonna di San Luca — Bologna santuario della Madonna di San Luca Bologna · Emilia-Romagna Bologna's hilltop sanctuary and the longest portico in the world: six hundred and sixty-six arches uphill. 70
  84. 84 abbazia di Chiaravalle — Milan abbazia di Chiaravalle Milan · Lombardy Saint Bernard's abbey in the fields south of Milan: the Ciribiciaccola tower and Luini's Madonna. 69
  85. 85 basilica di San Francesco di Paola — Naples basilica di San Francesco di Paola Naples · Campania The Pantheon of Naples on Piazza del Plebiscito: Ferdinand I's vow between Canova's horses. 69
  86. 86 basilica di San Pietro di Castello — Venice basilica di San Pietro di Castello Venice · Veneto Venice's old cathedral at the end of Castello: the Palladian façade and the chair with Koran verses. 69
  87. 87 Basilica di Santa Chiara — Naples Basilica di Santa Chiara Naples · Campania The Angevin Gothic church reborn from the bombs and the majolica cloister: the tomb of King Robert. 69
  88. 88 chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti — Palermo chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti Palermo · Sicily UNESCO-listed Arab-Norman church in Palermo famous for its vivid red domes and medieval cloister. 69
  89. 89 chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro — Milan chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro Milan · Lombardy Bramante's false choir, one metre deep that looks like ten: the first trick of the eye in Milan. 69
  90. 90 duomo di Cremona — Cremona duomo di Cremona Cremona · Lombardy The Romanesque cathedral on the Torrazzo square: the prophets of the portal and Pordenone's Crucifixion. 69
  91. 91 sacro monte di Varallo — Varallo sacro monte di Varallo Varallo · Piedmont Forty-four chapels and eight hundred life-size statues: the great mountain theatre 69
  92. 92 basilica del Redentore — Venice basilica del Redentore Venice · Veneto The plague-vow church on the Giudecca: Palladio's façade and the bridge of boats in July. 68
  93. 93 basilica di San Miniato al Monte — Florence basilica di San Miniato al Monte Florence · Tuscany The Romanesque church above Florence: the white and green façade, Gregorian vespers and the sunset view. 68
  94. 94 basilica di Sant'Eustorgio — Milan basilica di Sant'Eustorgio Milan · Lombardy The basilica of the Three Kings at Porta Ticinese and the Portinari Chapel, Milan's first Renaissance. 68
  95. 95 basilica di Santa Giustina — Padua basilica di Santa Giustina Padua · Veneto The eight-domed abbey on the Prato della Valle: the tomb of Saint Luke and the Veronese on the altar. 68
  96. 96 basilica di Santa Maria Assunta — Venice basilica di Santa Maria Assunta Venice · Veneto The mother of Venice in the lagoon: the Madonna on gold and the mosaic Judgement in Torcello's cathedral. 68
  97. 97 basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore — Bergamo basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore Bergamo · Lombardy The church without a façade in Bergamo's upper town: Campione's lions and the intarsias designed by Lotto. 68
  98. 98 cattedrale di San Lorenzo — Perugia cattedrale di San Lorenzo Perugia · Umbria The cathedral that turns its flank to the square: the Virgin's ring, the Barocci and the Perugians' steps. 68
  99. 99 cattedrale di San Pietro — Bologna cattedrale di San Pietro Bologna · Emilia-Romagna The archbishop's cathedral on Via Indipendenza: the round tower inside the tower and the Nonna bell. 68
  100. 100 Museo nazionale di San Matteo — Pisa Museo nazionale di San Matteo Pisa · Tuscany Giunta Pisano's painted crosses, Masaccio's Saint Paul and Donatello's San Rossore on the Lungarno. 68