Catholic Shrines & Places of Interest in Italy
Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and, of course, home to many places of interest to Catholics. There is a certain mystique to Italy that beckons people from all over the world to its fertile valleys and bustling, yet ancient, cities. In addition to the obvious location of Rome, here are just a few of the hundreds of places that are popular. The number of saints that Italy has produced is so numerous that many people have never heard of some of them. And many towns and cities have annual festivals to honor their saints. You could spend a lifetime in Italy and probably not come close to seeing everything the country has to offer.
In addition to many beautiful churches you will find many Eucharistic Miracles, holy sites such as the Holy House of Loreto, and other reminders of how much Catholic history there is in this country.
Coffee is a favorite in Italy…check out our rules for coffee-drinking in Italy.
And, of course, you must try Italy’s delicious treat…Gelato..check out our article on how to find real gelato.
If you are traveling on your own, we recommend travel by train. You can get train tickets online here.
Amalfi Town: Relics of the Apostle Andrew
Assisi: Basilicas of Saint Francis & Saint Clare; Saint Mary of the Angels; Venerable Carlos Acutis
Bagnoregio: Church of Bonaventure with his relic
Bari: Saint Nicholas of Bari
Bergamo: Pope John XXIII Institute
Bologna: Saint Catherine of Bologna, Saint Dominic, Blessed Immelda Lambertini
Bovino: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Valleverde
Bra: Miracle of Our Lady of the Flowers
Brescia: Tomb of St. Angela Merici, founder of the Ursuline Order
Camposampiero (near Padua): Shrines to Saint Anthony
Caposele: Saint Gerard’s Shrine (Materdomini)
Caravaggio: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Caravaggio
Cascia: Saint Rita of Cascia, Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia
Castel Gandolfo: The Pope’s summer residence
Castellarano: Tomb of Blessed Rolando Rivi
Castelpetroso: Santuario Maria Santissima Adolorate (Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine)
Chiusdino: Abbey of Saint Gulgano & the Sword in the Stone
Cividale del Friuli: Our Lady’s image and a wonderful small town
Cocullo: the Festival of the Snakes
Codogno: Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Center of Spirituality
Cortona: Sanctuary of St. Margaret of Cortona
Cursi: Shrine of Our Lady of Abundance
Florence: Birthplace of the Renaissance…many Catholic places to visit
Foggia: Shrine of Our Lady Mother of God
Foligno: Blessed Angela of Foligno
Gargano: Mont Saint Angelo ( St. Michael’s Cave)
Genazzano: Our Lady of Good Counsel Shrine
Genoa: Saint Catherine of Genoa
Genoa area: Mount Figogna, Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Watch
Ghiaie di Bonate: Apparitions of Our Lady Queen of the Family
Greccio: first Manger scene by Saint Francis
Gubbio: monument to Saint Francis and the wolf
Imola: Our Lady of Piratello
L’Aquila: Tomb of Pope Celestine V & Shrine of St. John Paul II
Lanciano: Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano
La Verna: Where St. Francis received the Stigmata
Loreto: Holy House of Loreto
Lucca: Sanctuary of Saint Gemma Galgani
Magreglio: Chapel of the Madonna del Ghisallo (patron saint of cyclists: church & museum)
Manoppello: Veronica’s Veil (the Holy Face of Jesus)
Mesero: Sanctuary of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla
Milan: The Last Supper, Basilica of Saint Ambrose
Montefalco: Saint Clare of Montefalco (Saint Clare of the Cross)
Montecassino: Abbey of Saint Benedict (tombs of St Benedict & St Scholastica
Monterchi: Fresco of Madonna del Parto
Montichiari & Fontanelle: Our Lady of Rosa Mystica
Mugnano del Cardinal (close to Naples): Shrine of Saint Philomena
Naples & Surrounding area: Basilica of Naples & Blood of Saint Januarius,
Nettuno: Saint Maria Goretti
Norcia: Monastery of St Benedict & Monks of Norcia
Oliveto Citra: Apparitions of Our Lady
Oropa: One of the oldest Marian shrines in the world.
Osimo: Saint Joseph of Cupertino
Orvieto: Eucharistic Miracle of Orvieto
Padua: Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua; Sanctuary of St. Leopold Mandic
Pavia: Saint Augustine of Hippo
Pietrelcina: Birthplace of Saint Padre Pio
Pinerolo: Shrine of Our Lady of Grace
Pompeii: Our Lady of Pompeii & Blessed Bartolo Longo
Ravenna: Churches with beautiful mosaics
Reggio Emilia: Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Ghiara
Rome, the “Eternal City”: Vatican, Saint Peter’s & countless Churches & Shrines
Salerno: Cathedral of Saint Matthew (Relics of Saint Matthew)
San Giovanni Rotondo: Shrine of Saint Padre Pio
Sant Ambrogio di Torino (Sacra di San Michele): Benedictine Abbey of Saint Michael
Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Italy: Birthplace of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
Sansepulcro: Magnificent art works in Tuscany
Sardinia (Cagliari): Our Lady of Bonario
Sassello: Grave of Blessed Chiara Badano
Schio: Shrine of Saint Josephine Bakhita
Sicily Part of Italy….yet set apart Many Catholic Shrines & Places of Interest
Sidolo: Grave of Father Giuseppe Beotti
Siena: St. Catherine of Siena, Eucharistic Miracle of Siena
Sordevolo: The Sordevolo Passion Play
Spello: The Festival of the Flowers
Termoli: Termoli Cathedral and relics of Saint Timothy
Tre Fontane: Virgin of the Revelation (outskirts of Rome)
Tre Fontane: Church of Saint Paul at the Three Fountains (outskirts of Rome)
Trento: Charming town and Site of the Council of Trent
Trieste: Basilica of Our Lady of Montegrisa
Venice: Many Catholic Shrines & Places of Interest
Verona: Basilica of Our Lady of Corona, Duomo of Verona
Vicenza: Basilica of Sts. Felice & Fortunato, Sanctuary of Monte Berico
Vicoforte: Shrine of Our Lady
Viterbo: Palace of the Popes & birthplace of the Conclave
Trenitalia Special – 2 for 1 Tickets for all domestic trains
Wherever you are, be sure to try some gelato—Italy’s famous ice cream.
And, if you are on a gluten-free diet, check out this page about gluten-free in Italy
