// Java Document
//' + name + '
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// Amalfi Cathedral
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Amalfi CathedralBuilt in the early 1200s, the cathedral features a dramatic location atop a steep flight of stairs, an Arab-influenced exterior, and the relics of St. Andrew the Apostle in its crypt. Next door is an older basilica (now a small museum) and the fascinating Cloister of Paradise, both containing medieval murals.
AssisiAssisi 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.
FlorenceThe 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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Holy House of LoretoThe Holy House of Loreto is one of the most revered Marian shrines in the world. Since medieval times, the Holy House has been believed to be the very home in which the Virgin Mary lived, conceived and raised the young Jesus. A large basilica has been built around the small shrine, and the sacred site attracts as many as 4 million Catholic pilgrims and visitors each year.
MilanLeonardo'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.
MontecassinoThis small town about 80 miles south of Rome is the home of the monastery and relics of St. Benedict (480-543), the patron saint of Europe and the founder of western monasticism.
Monte Sant'AngeloThe Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel (Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo) is a sacred cave and popular Catholic shrine near San Giovanni Rotundo. Here the Archangel Michael is said to have appeared in 490, 492 and 1656 and to offer protection and answered prayer to anyone who comes to the sacred grotto.
PaestumLocated near sandy beaches in a region known for its delicious mozzarella di bufula, Paestum includes three well-preserved Doric Greek temples, ruins of ancient houses and a museum of artifacts. Best of all, the site is off the beaten tourist path and is often deserted.
PalermoThis 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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Parma CathedralA 12th-century Romanesque cathedral filled with frescoes and Renaissance art.
RavennaMost 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.
Rome and Vatican CityThe Eternal City has been an important political center 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.
San Giovanni RotondoThis 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.
SicilyStrategically 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.
SienaThis Tuscan city known as the manageable Florence is home to the shrine of St. Catherine of Siena, lots of great churches and one of the most impressive cathedrals in Italy.
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.
VeniceVenice 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.