As the birthplace of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, and home to more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country, it’s not surprising that Italy is a top choice for history buffs and travel enthusiasts alike.
From Rome’s Palatine Hill to the world’s first botanical gardens in Padua, here are 10 historic sites to visit in Italy.
1. Herculaneum, Campania
In the autumn of 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, destroying the small town of Herculaneum in Campania, on the west coast of central Italy.
The neighbouring towns of Pompeii, Oplontis, and Stabiae also suffered the same fate. And, while Pompeii is arguably the most famous of these sites, Herculaneum is the best-preserved of the four towns affected by Vesuvius’ eruption.
The flow of volcanic gas and lava hit Herculaneum at a temperature of 400 degrees which, while instantly killing all those who hadn’t managed to escape, was the ideal temperature for carbonising organic materials.
This meant that the town was sealed under a flow of mud around 25 metres deep, preserving not only more durable items like statues, sewers, baths, and a theatre, but also textiles, wooden furniture, books, and human waste. Even mosaics and frescoes can still be seen on the walls of the ancient mansions, almost 2,000 years after they were buried.
Herculaneum was abandoned and forgotten following the eruption, only to be rediscovered in the 18th century.
2. St Mark’s Basilica, Venice
St Mark’s Basilica, or the ‘Church of Gold’, is a world-famous cathedral in St Mark’s Square, Venice.
Originally founded in 828 AD, the cathedral began as a temporary building inside the Doge’s Palace complex. Though, it was a 1063 construction project, overseen by Domenico Contarini – the 30th Doge of Venice – which formed the basis of the building we see today.
Over the years, numerous additions have been made to St Mark’s Basilica, enhancing its magnificence. St Mark’s served as a state church until 1807, when it became the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, and later, a city cathedral, under the orders of Napoleon.
Every facet of this famous basilica is grand and elaborate – so much so that the building’s entrance is designed to ‘prepare’ visitors for what they’re about to step into.
Note: When in Venice, don’t forget to visit the Doge’s Palace, which is also located in St Mark’s Square, right next to St Mark’s Basilica.
3. Paestum, Cilento
It’s not just Roman relics that you’ll find in Italy. Paestum, located south of Naples, is a Greco-Roman site home to the remains of three of the world’s best-preserved ancient Greek temples.
The complex – originally named Poseidonia after the Greek god Poseidon – was founded as a Greek colony in the sixth century BC. However, it came under the control of the Lucanians (an indigenous Italic people) sometime before 400 BC, and was renamed Paestum.
Then, after the Romans took over in 273 BC, a Latin colony was established here. Paestum remained prosperous until it declined following the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD, and was eventually abandoned. The site wasn’t rediscovered until the 18th century.
Today, Paestum is a UNESCO World Heritage site with an onsite museum housing thousand-year-old paintings, ceramics, and artefacts.
4. The Palatine Hill, Rome
Of Rome’s seven hills, the Palatine Hill, considered the birthplace of Rome, is undoubtedly the most famous. According to legend, the twins Romulus and Remus were taken to the Palatine Hill by the she-wolf who raised them, and here they founded a village which later became Rome.
Over time, the Palatine Hill grew to be one of the wealthiest areas in Ancient Rome – something which continued under the Roman Empire, when it became home to some of the city’s most prominent figures. It was also here that the Roman Empire’s first Emperor, Augustus, was born in 63 BC.
Today, the Palatine Hill is a must-see for history enthusiasts because it houses some of Rome’s most spectacular ancient sites; including the House of Augustus, the House of Livia (Emperor Augustus’ wife), the Lupercal, the Temple of Apollo Palatinus, and the Arch of Titus.
In the Palatine Museum, you can discover a collection of ancient Roman artefacts, sculptures, mosaics, and the remains of villas and palaces.
5. Hadrian’s Villa, Tivoli
Hadrian’s Villa, or Villa Adriana, is arguably the world’s best-preserved Roman villa, and one of the most visited archaeological sites in Italy.
Located in the town of Tivoli, just outside Rome, the villa was built in the second century and served as a centre of power in the Roman Empire during Emperor Hadrian’s reign.
The villa covers almost 250 acres, and is made up of over 30 buildings, including libraries, gardens, fountains, a large swimming pool surrounded by mighty pillars, and the famous Maritime Theatre. There’s also the remains of Emperor Hadrian’s small island retreat, which he used as an escape from political life.
Hadrian’s Villa is a testament to the power and extravagance of Ancient Rome and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999.
6. Florence Cathedral, Florence
Florence Cathedral is one of Italy’s most iconic sites. Construction of the cathedral began in 1296, funded by the Medici family, and it was declared sacred by Pope Eugenius IV on 25th March 1436.
The building’s designer, Arnolfo di Cambio, intended Florence Cathedral to be the world’s largest church of the Roman Catholic faith. Today, it’s the fourth largest church in Europe and is adjoined to the Baptistry which, dating back to the fourth century, is believed to be one of Florence’s oldest structures.
The cathedral’s famous dome was designed by Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi, who’s said to have taken inspiration from Rome’s Pantheon. Inside, the dome is decorated with a painting known as ‘The Last Judgement’, which was begun by Vasari and finished by Zuccari. The cathedral’s interior is also adorned with the works of Michelangelo, Donatello, and Pisano.
Climb the 463 steps to the cathedral’s top and you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views across Florence.
7. The Colosseum, Rome
It’d be impossible to mention every historic site in Rome, but this list wouldn’t be complete without the Colosseum. The Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre ever built by the Roman Empire and the most extensive of all the Roman constructions still standing. It’s also one of modern-day Rome’s most popular tourist attractions.
Construction of the Colosseum began around between 70 and 72 AD under Roman Emperor Vespasian, as a gift to the Roman people. It was completed in 80 AD when the fourth story was added by Vespasian’s son, Emperor Titus.
Emperor Titus celebrated the Colosseum’s opening with 100 days of gladiatorial games, which is what it’s most famous for today. However, as well as games, the Colosseum hosted dramas, animal hunts, mock battles, and even public executions.
The huge structure included 80 entrances; 76 for patrons, two for event participants, and two exclusively for the emperor. That might sound excessive, but, considering that the Colosseum could hold over 50,000 spectators at maximum capacity, it was necessary!
The Colosseum began to deteriorate after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and a series of earthquakes during the fifth century AD. By the 20th century, almost two-thirds of the original building had been destroyed. However, a restoration project to repair the Colosseum began in the 1990s and today millions of visitors flock to see it each year.
Note: While we can’t mention all historic sites in Rome, other must-sees include the Pantheon, Trevi Foundation, Forum Boarium, and Vatican City – which is home to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and Vatican Museums.
8. Padua’s Botanical Gardens, Padua
In 1545, the world’s first botanical gardens were created in the Italian city of Padua to grow medicinal plants. Almost five centuries later, the gardens have retained their original layout of a circular centre (symbolising the world) surrounded by a ring of water.
Padua’s Botanical Gardens have played a key role in the history of medicine and botanical science, and continue to contribute to scientific research today. Almost 7,000 plant species are housed here, each carefully divided by category to allow experts to observe and study them.
The site is also a wonderful example of Renaissance-style gardens and is closely affiliated with the University of Padua – a building known for its historical architecture and extensive collections. The university library contains over 50,000 historic volumes and manuscripts, and the herbarium is the second largest in Italy.
Padua’s Botanical Gardens were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. As UNESCO writes, “Its herbarium and library continue to be among the most important in the world. It has made a profound contribution to the development of many modern scientific disciplines, notably botany, medicine, ecology, and pharmacy.”
9. Milan Cathedral, Milan
Milan Cathedral, commonly known as Duomo di Milano, is Milan’s most iconic building. It’s the fifth-largest Christian church in the world, and supposedly the building with the most statues ever.
Construction of this Gothic-style cathedral began in 1386 and took six centuries to complete – needing thousands of workers, around 80 different architects, and a new canal system to transport the marble to build it. Final details were added in 1965.
Like the Colosseum does in Rome, Duomo di Milano marks the spiritual and cultural centre of this wonderful city, and is a must-see. The building’s exterior is set by various sculptures and carved figures, and inside, you’ll find a collection of breathtaking stained glass windows.
For panoramic views across Milan, take the lift or stairs to the cathedral’s roof.
10. Villa d’Este, Tivoli
Located just a few kilometres outside Rome, near Hadrian’s Villa, Villa d’Este in Tivoli is an architectural jewel and an iconic symbol of the Italian Renaissance.
Set at the gates of the ancient Roman city of Tibur, Villa d’Este is linked to Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este, who, after failing to be elected as pope, was appointed as governor of Tivoli in 1550.
Ippolito II was accustomed to the lavishness of the French, Roman, and Ferrarese courts. He decided to replicate this lifestyle in Tivoli by commissioning architect Pirro Ligorio to build a magnificent villa with grottoes, fountains, and water features.
Today, the extensive gardens at Villa d’Este are world-famous and truly magical to walk around. Listed as a World Heritage Site in 2001, Villa d’Este is recognised for having a significant influence over the design of other gardens across Europe.
Final thoughts…
Italy has a long, fascinating history – and a collection of world-famous historical sites to match it. If you’re a history buff with a keen interest in ancient and early modern history, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better country to explore than Italy.
For further reading, head over to the history section of our website. Here, you’ll find everything from battlefield sites you can visit in the UK to information on how to trace your family history.
Which historic sites have you visited in Italy? Are any of the sites on our list on your bucket list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.