When you think of Italy, the country’s history will likely come to mind. It is no surprise that Italy has been inhabited for so many centuries because it has a remarkable number of important historical sites.

From ancient Greek and Roman temples to Renaissance churches and medieval castles and villages designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can’t go to Italy without making some time for historical sightseeing, but where should you go first? This guide includes our top picks for top historical landmarks in Italy.

The Basilica of Saint Mark was built in the 9th century to house the remains of the apostle Mark. It was the Doge’s chapel for centuries before it became the formal cathedral of Venice in 1807. When the ancient basilica burned down in 932, it was replaced by a replica that features Byzantine domes and a marble exterior.

You’re probably familiar with Pompeii, but you might not know that Herculaneum was the second city to be buried by the ashes of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Though smaller than its more well-known relative, Herculaneum has a superior preservation level. Being attacked before Pompeii, its residents had no time to flee, leaving numerous dead perfectly preserved here for millennia.

Even while the picturesque city of Verona in northern Italy is most commonly known as the location where Shakespeare put Romeo and Juliet, it is also home to one of the most impressive Roman amphitheaters in all of Italy.

Due to earthquake damage in 117, only 15,000 people can fit within the massive, remarkably intact arena from 2000 B.C. Even now, it hosts events, most notably an annual summer opera festival.

The Grand Canal, one of the most well-known rivers in the world, was likely built along the path of an old river that empties into the Lagoon of Venice. As the Republic of Venice prospered via trade, the dwellings and warehouses on stilts that had previously lined the canal were gradually replaced by large aristocratic mansions.

More than 170 structures, mostly dating back to the 13th through the 18th centuries, line each side of the canal today. Four bridges cross the canal, the most famous of which is the picturesque Rialto Bridge.

The Cathedral of Florence, formerly called the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in honour of that saint, is the fourth largest cathedral in the entire world. In the final years of the 13th century, construction on this magnificent Gothic church began, right on top of the former Santa Reparata basilica (you can still spot these remains in the crypt).

A full two centuries after work began, the project was finally considered finished after adding the enormous and renowned dome.

Pianosa Island is a distant memory. Only 400 people can visit daily due to conservation efforts, so if you get the chance, enjoy! Pianosa has been settled numerous times since the late Stone Age, although it is almost abandoned today. The island’s famous animals and a few humans live there.

Pianosa once had a roman town and several fishing colonies. Napoleon, pirates, and military strongholds visited the island. Some paroled inmates live on the island and maintained the tourist restaurant and museum when the jail closed in 1998.

Milan’s largest gothic cathedral, which 40,000 people can enter, is its most popular attraction. After Gian Galeazzo Visconti took power, building began in 1386 to modernize the neighbourhood. The masterwork took five centuries to complete.

Many architects, artisans, and sculptors collaborated on its Gothic-Romanesque design. The roof’s openwork pinnacles and spires outshine the Duomo di Milano’s white and pink marble. As a tourist, you can wander over the roof terrace and enjoy the city’s best views and sculptures.

Another Milanese masterpiece is Santa Maria delle Grazie Church and Convent. Bramante, a Renaissance master, modified it in the late 15th century. This Catholic symbol is not on the UNESCO world heritage list because of its architecture.

The church’s refectory’s west wall displays Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” painted between 1496 and 1497. The fresco is public and symbolizes human creativity. It wasn’t always likely. “The Last Supper” miraculously survived the 1943 Allied bombing of the church.

Ravenna, sometimes overshadowed by its populous, canal-interlaced neighbour to the north, was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire. Spectacular churches adorned the landscape, with the Basilica of San Vitale as a focal point.

The interior of this sixth-century structure is almost entirely decorated with mosaics depicting Biblical scenes. The octagonal basilica is one of nine Ravenna structures designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

The five villages that make up le Cinque Terre are some of Italy’s most picturesque seaside communities and rightfully deserve their reputation as a crown gem of the Italian Riviera. They have been recognised as significant enough to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Beginning around 100 kilometers south of Genoa, the settlements that make up the “Five Lands” cling impressively to the cliffs of Mediterranean coves. Paths and a packed train line link the villages, but spring and fall are the best times to visit to see the towns’ unique beauty.

You now know the answer! We hope that our list of the top 10 historical places in Italy has piqued your interest enough to motivate you to plan your own vacation. In that case, don’t forget to have a look at the greatest holiday deals that Traveloka has to offer for Italy.

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