Cultural sightseeing in Italy. What to visit - museums, temples, castles and palaces
Italy is a country with an amazingly rich history and culture. Its capital, Rome, was founded in the 8th century BC, and for millennia its history was shrouded in legends, myths and great historical achievements. On the territory of the city there are monuments of history and architecture. One of the most recognizable is the Roman Coliseum, built in the 1st century. The Coliseum served as an amphitheater, where gladiators fought and other amusements of the ancient Romans were held. It accommodated more than 50 thousand people. Another unique construction is the Roman Forum, consisting of a complex of buildings. In the days of Ancient Rome, it was the center of the cultural, spiritual, political and economic life of the empire. It includes the temples of Saturn, Venus and Roma, Vesta, Caesar, Concordia, several arches, basilicas.
Nearly every city in Italy is a large historic centre with numerous places of interest. Rome, Milano, Venice and Florence remain major tourist …
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Italian cuisine is one of the most popular in the whole world. Pizza, salad "Caesar", lasagna, pasta, ravioli, spaghetti - these dishes brought her …
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Venice was one of the largest and most developed cities in Europe. Today the city is a real open-air museum; most of the buildings in it are of historical value. One of the main attractions of the city is the Doge's Palace, founded in the 14th century and executed in the Gothic style. The palace is decorated with thousands of decorative elements and together with the oldest library of San Marco and St. Mark's Cathedral, sets the tone for the whole architecture of the city. The historical center of Naples is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In Naples, it is worth visiting Castel Nuovo, built in the 13th century, which has witnessed many historical battles.
The Italian temperament is legendary; it is a true symbol of passionate, receptive and free people. This stereotype was not accidental. Italians are …
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Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Italy
Reference information
Art galleries in Italy
♥ Art museum 'Accademia Carrara' Bergamo. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Archaeological Museum' Syracuse, Sicily. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Archaeological Museum of Florence' Florence. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Archaeological Museum of Populonia' Piombino. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Archaeological Museum of the Campi Flegrei' Bacoli. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Accademia Carrara' Bergamo. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Archaeological Museum' Syracuse, Sicily. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Archaeological Museum of Florence' Florence. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Archaeological Museum of Populonia' Piombino. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Archaeological Museum of the Campi Flegrei' Bacoli. On the map Photos
Cathedrals and basilicas in Italy
♥ Basilica di S. Giovanni Battista, Vittoria. On the map Photos
♥ Cattedrale della Natività di Maria Santissima, Siracusa. On the map Photos
♥ Santuario-Basilica di Beata Vergine, Maria delle Lacrime, Siracusa. On the map Photos
♥ Basilica Matrice di S. Maria Assunta, Monterosso Almo. On the map Photos
♥ Basilica Santuario Madonna delle Grazie, Modica. On the map Photos
♥ Basilica Cattedrale di S. Giuliano, Caltagirone. On the map Photos
♥ Basilica di S. Giacomo Apostolo, Caltagirone. On the map Photos
♥ Basilica di S. Giovanni Battista, Vittoria. On the map Photos
♥ Cattedrale della Natività di Maria Santissima, Siracusa. On the map Photos
♥ Santuario-Basilica di Beata Vergine, Maria delle Lacrime, Siracusa. On the map Photos
♥ Basilica Matrice di S. Maria Assunta, Monterosso Almo. On the map Photos
♥ Basilica Santuario Madonna delle Grazie, Modica. On the map Photos
♥ Basilica Cattedrale di S. Giuliano, Caltagirone. On the map Photos
♥ Basilica di S. Giacomo Apostolo, Caltagirone. On the map Photos
Palaces in Italy
♥ Palace 'Ca’ Foscari' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Ca’ Rezzonico' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Ca’ Vendramin Calergi' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Ca’ d’Oro' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Castello Sforzesco' Milan. On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Ca’ Foscari' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Ca’ Rezzonico' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Ca’ Vendramin Calergi' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Ca’ d’Oro' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Castello Sforzesco' Milan. On the map Photos
Extreme Guinness-type places in Italy
Villa Madama
From the series “Famous unfinished buildings ”
Villa Madama is a prominent monument of the Renaissance. It is located in Rome. Cardinal Giulio de' Medici was the first owner of the villa. It was built at his expense. The villa was built on the banks of the Tiber River in a very beautiful area. Its construction began in 1518. The famous architect and artist Raffaello Santi was the author of the project of the building. Many magnificent buildings were built according to his designs in Rome in the early 16th century. The beautiful Caffarelli Palace is among them.
The palace was designed by him for the cardinal. It was truly grand. It was decided to build it on one of the gentle slopes of Monte Mario hill. Gorgeous gardens were laid out around the palace. There was also an open-air theater on its grounds. The combination of terraces … Read all
The palace was designed by him for the cardinal. It was truly grand. It was decided to build it on one of the gentle slopes of Monte Mario hill. Gorgeous gardens were laid out around the palace. There was also an open-air theater on its grounds. The combination of terraces … Read all
Basilica di San Petronio
From the series “Famous unfinished buildings ”
You can see the beautiful Basilica di San Petronio in the main square in the heart of Bologna. It is one of the largest Catholic churches in the world. Even though the church is not a cathedral, it is still considered the most important in the city due to its impressive scale. The cathedral is 132 meters long and 66 meters wide. The temple was never fully completed. But it is still one of the highest in the city. The height of the cathedral is 51 meters.
The basilica began to be built in 1390. The famous architect Antonio di Vincenzo was the author of its design. A very dense development took place in the center of Bologna in the late 14th century. It was necessary to destroy 8 old churches, as well as several defensive towers, to free up space for the basilica. There are 22 chapels in … Read all
All unique sightseeing Italy
The basilica began to be built in 1390. The famous architect Antonio di Vincenzo was the author of its design. A very dense development took place in the center of Bologna in the late 14th century. It was necessary to destroy 8 old churches, as well as several defensive towers, to free up space for the basilica. There are 22 chapels in … Read all
Top cultural sites of Italy: monuments, theaters and churches
8 Gallery Lingotto, Torino
» The five-story building is half a kilometer long. On the outside, there are spiral pathways leading to the roof. The roof consists of curved modules with high-speed stained glass tracks for car tests.
» The racing circuit is still exposed to the public view.
» 8 Gallery Lingotto-Torino was the first reinforced concrete construction. Here, you can see the motor assembly conveyor of Fiat, the biggest factory in Europe. It has modeled 80 different vehicles.
» In 1980, the factory was officially closed. Nowadays, the complex includes shopping galleries (there are over 100 boutiques where you can buy items of famous brands’ old collections at a lower price), entertainment centers, a bookstore, an art museum, theatres, concert halls, conference halls, and an inn.
» There is an eleven-hall cinema (UCI) with up-to-date equipment. You can also visit beauty salons, a solarium, and restaurants that offer the wide variety of cuisines.
Basilica di Superga, Torino
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Basilica of Superga is located at the top of the namesake hill in Turin. » It is a Catholic basilica.
» In 1706, the future King Sardinian King Victor Amadeus II and his cousin Eugene of Savoy climbed the hill of Superga to see the city besieged by French and Spanish forces. They promised to build a church at their observation point in the event of the successful outcome of the battle. The battle ended with a victory, so we can see this magnificent construction now.
» The luxurious domed Basilica of Superga started to be built in 1717.
» It was designed by the original project of Filippo Juvarra in the late Italian baroque style.
» The Basilica of Superga is also the burial place of all Piedmontese kings. Victor Amadeus II was the first to be buried here.
» The basilica is also associated with one of the most tragic events in the sports sector, the death of all players of the football team “Torino”. It happened on 3 May 1949 when sportsmen, managers of the club, and journalists flew back from Portugal after a friendly game. The left wing of the plane snagged the dome of the basilica and the aircraft crashed.
Basilica of San Lorenzo, Milan
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Basilica of San Lorenzo is one of the most important places for Catholics in Milan. » This basilica has been originally built during the reign of Roman Empire, and then over the centuries was being rebuilt several times. This is one of the oldest churches in Milan.
» Despite many changes, the original Byzantine structure with a dome and four towers, resembling the church of St. Sophia in Constantinople, survived to this day.
» The old baptistery and the Romanesque bell tower of the 12th century stands out among preliminary buildings on this site.
Basilica of Sant Ambrogio, Milan
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Basilica of Sant Ambrogio is the church built in 379-386 AD by Ambrose Mediolano at the burial site of the early Christian martyrs in Milan. » The first church was called the Basilica of the Martyrs.
» The church houses the relics of St. Ambrose, a priceless treasure for all Christians.
» Next to St. Ambrose relics of martyrs Gervasius and Protasius can be seen. The basilica is also the burial site for the remains of Emperor Louis II.
» There are many priceless ancient objects dating back to 4-9th centuries, as well as many beautiful frescoes of 14th century and mosaics of 6-8th centuries.
Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Basilica of Santa Croce is located in the heart of Florence; that’s one of the most popular attractions of the city. » About 300 famous figures of culture, science and politics are buried in the church. Among them Galileo, Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo and many others have to be mentioned. The tomb has a form of the marble box with the figure of the deceased on top of the sarcophagus.
» The Basilica of Santa Croce is famous for its frescoes by Giotto.
» Initially, all the walls of the church were decorated with frescoes, but during the plague in the 16th century, when the church was used as a hospital, the walls were whitewashed. Once, during restoration, the frescoes were found, and the works of the great Giotto were among them.
» The Basilica is famous for its 16 chapels.
» In 1452 Leonardo da Vinci was baptized in this church.
Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, Rome
» It was erected by Emperor Constantine at the burial site of St. Paul.
» Emperor Theodosius I found this church unworthy of such a sacred place and began the construction of a much more impressive temple.
» The basilica houses the precious holy relic, the sarcophagus containing the remains of St. Paul.
» The basilica is decorated with medallions with the apostles, the magnificent mosaics, paintings, depicting religious motifs, and a marble floor.
Basilica of the Holy Spirit, Florence
» The Basilica of the Holy Spirit is one of the most famous buildings by the Florentine genius architect, Filippo Brunelleschi.
» The church has collected a large number of magnificent paintings and frescoes.
» Among the most important treasures of the church there are such works of art as Madonna and Child with Saints by Filippino Lippi and The Crucifixion by Michelangelo.
Castel Nuovo, Napoli
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» Castel Nuovo is a castle that was built by King Charles of Anjou on the sea coast in Naples when his capital was moved from Palermo. The construction began in 1279 and lasted three years. » Like other castles, Castel Nuovo had a heavy fate. It had been looted and destroyed for centuries. It endured everything and remained undamaged even after a terrible earthquake that destroyed almost entire Naples.
» Today, there is the Municipal Museum in the territory of the castle. Here, you can learn about the history of Naples from the ancient time to nowadays.
» Here, you can not only see a museum collection, but also visit temporary exhibitions.
» The most interesting interior elements in the castle are ancient frescoes and sculptures on the ground floor.