20 Most Beautiful Cathedrals in Italy

Italy is a true treasure chest filled with wonders: landscapes, art, culture, food, craftsmanship. Among the marvels contained in the beautiful country are also numerous churches of incredible value and beauty. Today, we propose a "tour" of the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy. But before discovering the most beautiful ones, it's right to clarify the differences between church, basilica, cathedral, and duomo.First of all, all are churches. A basilica is, literally, the house of the king, that is, of the Lord (from the Greek basileus = king, and oikos = house). Every church can therefore be considered a basilica, but to be truly so, it must be important and have undeniable artistic value. The duomo (from Latin domus = house) is always the house of God, but it is the most important church in a city. If the duomo is located in a city that is a bishop's seat, it takes the name of cathedral, because the bishop has his throne there, that is, his "cathedra".Note: the following ranking is the result of a survey involving over 300,000 users from the europeoftales.net community, who were asked to select 5 preferences from a group of over 200 Italian churches.

The Duomo houses 12 altars, plus the main altar, and is rich in paintings by various artists. The bell tower, 72 meters high, allows you to admire the Adriatic Sea. On particularly clear days, you can even see the mountains of Albania. The tower has a slight curvature to the left due to slight foundation settling.

The Duomo di Orvieto is one of the absolute masterpieces of Italian Gothic architecture. Located in the heart of the city, it impresses with its richly decorated facade, an explosion of polychrome marbles, golden mosaics, and sculptures. Built to celebrate the miracle of the Corporale of Bolsena, its design began in 1290 at the initiative of Pope Nicholas IV. The facade, designed by Lorenzo Maitani, is a true masterpiece of balance and detail, with bas-reliefs that tell biblical stories and angelic figures. The interior, in a Latin cross design, is characterized by a sober and solemn atmosphere, but what takes your breath away is the Chapel of San Brizio, with breathtaking frescoes by Luca Signorelli depicting the Last Judgment. These paintings not only represent an important example of Renaissance art, but are also a powerful spiritual message.

Tradition has it that Nicholas of Myra landed in Trani shortly before his death. After his passing, various miracles are said to have occurred. For this reason, he was canonized, and his relics were placed in the lower part of the church. The cathedral was consecrated before its completion. Of the mosaic flooring, inspired by that of the Cathedral of Otranto, only some scraps remain, in which one can recognize the allegory of the Ascent into Flight of Alexander the Great and the episode of the Original Sin of Adam and Eve.

Dedicated to Saint Valentine, it is located in the center of the city. An elegant, majestic, and lofty place. The magnificent facade with salient features and the richly decorated interior will astonish you.

It is dedicated to Saint Nicholas and hosts exceptional works, including contemporary ones. Additionally, Noto is a charming city: let yourself be enchanted. SEE ALSO: THE BAROQUE CITIES OF VAL DI NOTO

In 1480, the Turks managed to conquer the city and enter the church, exterminating the clergy and civilians who had taken refuge there. It was, therefore, transformed into a mosque and all the 13th-century frescoes were destroyed. In 1481, after the liberation of Otranto by Alfonso V of Aragon, the church was heavily remodeled. SEE ALSO: 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN PUGLIAThe cathedral's striking characteristic, as well as its uniqueness, is the extensive floor mosaic. It depicts scenes from the Old Testament, chivalric cycles, bestiaries, and the Romance of Alexander. The images unfold along the Tree of Life, retracing the human experience, from original sin to salvation. Among the images, there is also the ascension of Alexander the Great on a flying vehicle pulled into the sky by two griffins (an allegory of pride, very present in medieval Christianity).

It is characterized by a perfect harmony of different styles: the Romanesque gabled facade; the buttresses that develop into flying arches in the Gothic style, the domes in the Byzantine style, and the twin bell towers resembling minarets. Furthermore, in front of the basilica, in the square, is the Equestrian Monument to Gattamelata, created by Donatello. A wealth of remarkable art contained within a small space!

A church rich in artistic treasures. The right nave was originally occupied by the Chapel of Saint Jacob, erected by Bishop Atto to house the relic of Saint James brought from Santiago de Compostela. Originally, the chapel, which no longer exists, housed the silver altar that now resides in the Chapel of the Crucifix.

A richly beautiful church! The facade features splendid Gothic portals: French craftsmen were brought in to create them. Above is a characteristic treatment of white and black bands, a symbol of nobility in the Middle Ages. The initial project called for two bell towers. The left tower was never completed, and hence only the lower trunk was constructed, upon which a loggia was placed in 1477.

It was commissioned by King Vittorio Amedeo II as a thanks to the Virgin Mary, after defeating the French besieging Turin in 1706. At the behest of Vittorio Amedeo III, some members of the House of Savoy were buried here. An interesting and very suggestive complex.

Considered the most important church in Syracuse, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It houses statues, relics, and remains of saints, martyrs, and noble Syracusans. A construction of undeniable artistic value.

Unlike the interior, which has undergone various transformations over time, the exterior retains almost intact its original shape. The facade is dominated by a sixteen-ray rose window, topped by the Archangel Michael. In the apse is a massive walnut choir of great value divided into 60 stalls. Above, to the right of the presbytery, is a monumental organ with over 3000 pipes!

From the left side of the portico, you can access the Chiostro del Paradiso: a true corner of the East in Southern Italy! It consists of a cloister with intertwined pointed arches, typical of Arab-Norman art, supported by fine columns. It was built between 1266 and 1268 as a cemetery for illustrious Amalfitan citizens. After falling into near abandonment in the 17th century, it was restored in 1908 and subsequently opened to the public.

UNESCO Heritage, the cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin. The Madonna is represented in three different iconographies: the Dormition of the Mother of God, which belongs to the Byzantine tradition, the Assumption, and the Coronation in Heaven of Latin tradition.There is also the "Madonna della Luce," more commonly known in Sicily as the Madonna del Lume, probably derived from the Byzantine Virgin Odighitria. She is the one who points the way, the direction. Linked in Sicilian tradition to the protecting Madonna of maritime journeys, ports, and lighthouses. See also: 10 things to see in Palermo

A stunning basilica and not by chance UNESCO Heritage. It is said that it was Francis himself who indicated the place where he wanted to be buried. The lower hill of the city was used to bury the "without law," that is, those condemned by justice. Although Francis's testamentary dispositions recommended the construction of churches according to the first rule of his order, that is, poverty, the basilica represented a clear exception. It was only possible because the church's beautiful structures were interpreted as a means of transmitting the Franciscan message, especially through the figurative decorations that were meant to create a so-called Biblia pauperum, or "Bible for the poor." Thus, illiterates, unable to read, could still understand through images.

Famous for both the splendid dome by Brunelleschi and its undeniable beauty, it is one of the many highlights of the city renowned for its art. Santa Maria del Fiore impresses with its dimensions and for appearing as a unified monument, especially on the outside, thanks to the continuous use of the same materials: white Carrara marble, green Prato marble, red Maremma marble, and the terracotta of the roofs. In reality, each part reveals significant stylistic diversity due to the long timeline of execution. The interior, rather simple and austere, creates a strong sense of "emptiness." Some artworks reflect the public function of the building, with monuments dedicated to illustrious citizens and Florentine military commanders. Among them, we also find Dante holding the Divine Comedy.

A church that certainly needs no introduction. A monumental work that involved immensely famous artists. St. Peter's Basilica is one of the largest buildings in the world and can hold up to 60,000 worshippers! The building is entirely walkable along its perimeter, although connected to the Vatican Palaces by an elevated corridor and the Scala Regia. Along the naves, near the 45 altars and in the 11 chapels, there are several masterpieces of immense historical and artistic value. Just to mention the most famous: The Pietà and Michelangelo's ingenious dome, the prestigious Baldachin of St. Peter and the papal altar by Bernini.

It is one of the symbols of Venice, but also of Italy. The splendid golden mosaic decoration of the interior is a true spectacle that the world envies us. Furthermore, it is rich in columns, friezes, marbles, sculptures, and gold brought to Venice by merchants through their ships trading with the East. Often, it was plundered material, that is, derived from ancient buildings that were demolished. The spoils of the sack of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade enriched the basilica's treasure and provided it with prestigious furnishings. Among the artworks from Constantinople, the most famous is the one depicting the bronze horses, placed above the central portal.

A church that certainly needs no introduction. It is the undeniable symbol of Milan with its famous and soaring Madonnina. The distinguishing feature of the Duomo, besides its shape, is the extraordinary abundance of sculptures present everywhere and its spectacular stained glass. In November, during the month dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo, the so-called "Quadroni di San Carlo": a cycle of fifty-six large canvases celebrating the life and miracles of the well-known archbishop of the city of Milan are displayed. They are the most important pictorial cycle of Lombard Baroque. Suspended above the main altar is the most precious relic of the Duomo: the nail of the True Cross, also known as Sacro Chiodo.According to tradition, it was discovered by Saint Helena and used as a bridle for the horse of Constantine I. Even though it is suspended very high, a red light makes it visible throughout the cathedral. The nail is shown to the faithful every May 3rd. To retrieve it from its custody, the 17th-century "nivola", a curious elevator now mechanized, is used. However, the Duomo is so rich in treasures that a brief description is impossible. Discover them for yourself, you will be enchanted! See also: the Duomo and the 10 must-see things in Milan

A richly endowed church, of inestimable artistic and cultural value. An incredible work! Built in Italian Romanesque-Gothic style, it is one of the most significant structures built in this style in Italy. The entire internal structure is dominated by bi-chrome black and white, referencing the colors of the Siena coat of arms. This also creates a sophisticated chiaroscuro effect. The flooring is simply spectacular! It is a unique work in Italian art, for its richness, creativity, vastness, and the importance of the names that collaborated on it. Divided into 56 panels, it has been continuously restored to prevent wear. A church that will truly leave you astonished and speechless, a real jewel of Italian art and a rare pearl in the artistic world.