Religious Buildings of Italy
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Latest page update: 19 January 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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The very best Religious Buildings of Italy are so numerous that they've had to be split up into different categories. Taking greatest importance are the cathedrals. Italy had a total of 368 cathedrals at last count and the very best of those are detailed in the selection below.
The next category of Basilicas of Italy is very similar but although often the biggest churches in a city or town, they don't have cathedral status as they're not the seat of a bishop. The Abbeys and Monasteries category speaks for itself and then we're on to the very specific section on baptisteries of which there are a much smaller amount in Italy. |
Padua Baptistery, Veneto
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The Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of "Sacred Mountains" which are popular pilgrimage sites. We then have a separate section for religious sanctuaries and the final category where some of the country's most famous chapels are listed including the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
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Cathedrals of Italy
Siena Cathedral, Tuscany
Italy is one of the most important centres of Catholicism in the world with hundreds of Cathedrals to enjoy. I've ranked the very best in this section including the beautiful cathedral of Siena above.
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Basilicas of Italy
Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna
Aside from the category of Cathedrals, Italy has an enormous number of Basilicas which are often as big or bigger in some cases than the official cathedrals. I've listed some of the best ones here.
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Abbeys & Monasteries of Italy
Pomposa Abbey, Emilia Romagna
Some of the most beautiful examples of religious buildings can be found among the Abbeys and Monasteries. There are hundreds in Italy but I've picked out the very best here such as Pomposa Abbey.
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Baptisteries of Italy
Pisa Baptistery
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Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy
Sacro Monte di Oropa, Piedmont
The Sacri Monti are a series of "Sacred Mountains" in the northern regions of Piedmont and Lombardy. One of the largest is the Sacro Monte di Oropa while others such as Ghiffa are more intimate.
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Religious Sanctuaries of Italy
Sanctuary of Padre Pio, Puglia
While most religious edifices in Italy follow historic or traditional architectural rules, among the Religious Sanctuaries there are some unusual, modern examples of all shapes, designs and sizes.
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Chapels of Italy
Palatine Chapel, Palermo
In this small section you'll find some of the very best Chapels of Italy. Everyone has heard of the Sistine Chapel but Palermo's Palatine Chapel and others are impressive for different reasons.
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