Italy Landmarks
Plenty of Amazing Italian Sites to See and Experience

Italy Landmarks

A trip to this amazing peninsula would be incomplete without checking out some of the most famous Landmarks in Italy. This country receives more than 50 million visitors each year and for a good reason - Italy is known for its endless options of sightseeing, places to visit and things to do. Furthermore, there is something here to enjoy for everyone - no matter the age, where you come from or what your interests might be.



Most Famous Landmarks in Italy

If your trip here brings you here to explore the roots of Catholicism and religion - there are many Italy landmarks which are an absolute must to see & check off your list. Below are the most popular ones specific to this type of interest and most visitors prioritize these sites when planning their itineraries. 

  • Florence Cathedral - formerly known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore is an ornate & beautifully architected gothic structure. Its construction started in 1296 and didn’t finish until 1436, taking nearly 150 years to complete.
  • Milan Cathedral - home of the archbishop of Milan, took nearly 600 years to complete, and it’s easy to see why. This is one of the Italy landmarks that simply cannot be missed because when you look at the amount of detail that went into its construction - you will be amazed, to say the least. It is the largest church in Italy and the fourth largest church in the world.
  • Saint Mark’s Basilica - home of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice and is located in Northern Italy. It is a highly detailed and magnificent structure and is also sometimes referred to as the church of gold, as gold accents and colourful mosaics decorate its facade. This is the pride of Venice many people come to gander at and is an absolute must to stroll by St. Mark's Square Square (Piazza San Marco) to experience the breathtaking beauty for yourself.
  • Siena Cathedral - located in SienaTuscany was completed in the mid-11th century, however - other work on this medieval church such as the added detail of its beautiful mosaic work and marble flooring had continued for many years after. The Siena Cathedral was considered to be an architectural wonder even for its time of construction and it goes without saying - a trip to Italy would be incomplete without a visit here. 

If you plan to take in some ancient Roman history on your next trip, there are a few Italy landmarks that are guaranteed to satisfy your curiosity and expand your knowledge.

  • The Roman Forum - located in the city of Rome and was the marketplace and meeting centre for the ancient Roman people. Each year over 4.5 million tourists visit this site and if you’re looking to learn more about ancient Rome, then you should count yourself as one of them.
  • Arena di Verona - still in use today, is a 1st century amphitheater and considered to be one of the most well preserved ancient sites. This landmark is located in Verona, Italy's Veneto region and at one point in time was able to hold up to 30,000 spectators. This magnificent structure was a central hub for performances and sporting events. If you would like to get a taste of what life and entertainment may have been like thousands of years ago, you can still see festival shows, concerts and other events at this amazing venue.
  • Rome Coliseum - one of the most well-known and famous sites in Italy. It is the largest amphitheatre ever built and still stands strong in the city centre of Rome. Its main purpose was to stage entertainment events for the Ancient Romans and the most popular were the gladiator games where men and animals would fight to their death for the entertainment of spectators. Tours of this historic site run most days of the week and can give you a look into the life and habitat of the people of ancient Rome.
  • Pompeii - located near modern Naples in the Campania region, is one of the Italy landmarks that is filled with history but also tragedy. Pompeii was buried under meters of volcanic ash after an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. The layers of ash solidified and preserved this city offering a rare and unique view of the Pompeii ruins. It is an absolute must-see for all of those interested in this ancient Roman city, it's former inhabitants and their fascinating way of life.
  • The Leaning Tower of Pisa - built in the 12th century as the bell tower for the Pisa cathedral. Unfortunately, due to the lack of planning and a poorly built foundation which was put into clay and soft sand - this building began to tilt shortly after construction began. It has remained standing ever since because of the carefully placed centre of gravity at the base of the tower and is considered one of the most famous landmarks in Italy for tourists to come and experience.

More About Italy Landmarks

Do you plan on doing some great sightseeing on your trip and taking in some of the marvels and amazing views that Italy has to offer? If so, then make sure to add the following locations to your itinerary.

  • The Grand Canal - the main waterway which runs through the city of Venice, it is almost 4 kilometres long and offers beautiful views of the city. It is used as the main water traffic corridor for all types of transportation from ferries, water taxies, gondolas and much more.
  • Ponte Vecchio - located in Florence, is a beautiful medieval bridge that spans across the Arno River. Small shops line its sides and this beautifully constructed piece of architecture offers wonderful views of the city and the majestic river that runs through it.
  • Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - located in Milan, northern Lombardy region. This is a beautifully constructed indoor mall, for those who are visiting Italy to indulge in a shopping experience they won't forget. It was built in the mid-19th century and is now home to shops from some of the hottest brand names and designers in the world.

As you can see there are plenty of sights to see in this amazing country and the above mentioned locations are just a few famous landmarks in Italy worth mentioning, but there is so much more. For a relatively small place, Italy has the most UNESCO historical sites in the world and is sure to bring satisfaction to every type of explorer. 


Italy Landmarks Map & Train Tips

Below is a map with some of the most famous landmarks in Italy with some nearby train stations.

Use the handy Train Map to help locate the closest train station to the destination of choice.


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