Italy is one of the leading tourist destinations in Europe and undoubtedly, home to many interesting Catholic sites, shrines & sanctuaries. The country attracts pilgrims from all parts of the world to see and explore its spiritually inspiring Italy with its Catholic shrines and sites. Read on further to know about the major Catholic sites of Italy.
Being home to many destinations of interest to Catholics, Italy is one of the prominent holy land pilgrimage destinations throughout the world. The country is home to numerous saints with their basilicas, sanctuaries & churches with relics, their tombs which devoted Catholics visit in great numbers in pilgrimage groups. Many cities and towns organize annual festivals for honoring their saints, processions, masses remind us of very deep roots Christianity has in Europe.
There is so much to see and explore in Italy that even after spending a lifetime, you probably won’t come close to seeing everything it has to offer. Some of the topmost sites and shrines of interest to Catholics include:
Assisi:
Renowned as the birthplace and home to Saint Francis of Assisi and St. Claire, the town of Assisi holds immense importance among the Catholic shrines of Italy. While here in the town, you can pay a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis that has his tomb in the Lower Basilica. Along with this, a visit to basilica of St. Claire, then San Damiano is highly recommended as it is the place where Christ spoke to Saint Francis giving him the instructions to €rebuild€ His Church.
Bari:
The city of Bari is well-known for being home to the Basilica of Saint Nicholas who was one of the most beloved saints the world has ever seen. The Basilica was constructed to keep his remains along with many art works. What sets the Basilica of Saint Nicholas apart from others is that it hosts Eastern Orthodox and Catholic services.
Foligno:
Foligno, a small town is located at a distance of 5 miles south of Assisi town. It is the place where Blessed Angela was born in the year 1248 to a rich family of the town. She is not as popular as other mystics, which is something really unfortunate as she had accomplished a lot after her conversation with Saint Francis of Assisi in her dream. Visitors can see her incorrupt body in a glass reliquary placed at the famous Church of Saint Francis in Foligno.
Loreto:
Loreto enjoys the reputation of being one of the most holiest and significant pilgrimage destinations on the East Coast of Italy. As per the tradition, it is believed that here are the remains of the house of the Holy family, where angel Gabriel announced Mary that she will to become the Mother of God. Legend say that the remains were transferred her by Angels, while most probably that crusaders brought it from Holy land. Little chapel within the basilica shows where Jesus was grown, where He revealed himself to the mankind.
Venice:
Your catholic shrine tour to Italy is incomplete without paying a visit to Venice. Although the city is associated with its gondolas and canals, it is also home to some of the essential relics of the Catholic Church, remains of St. Marc. The city was once a leading nation-state in the region and one can find out the traces of it. And of course, the Basilica of Saint Mark and Saint Mark’s Square are the two most recognizable sites of Venice we visit on our Catholic tours of Italy.
Along with these, there are many other most inspiring catholic shrines and sites that you can visit during your Italy pilgrimage. All you need to do is contact the right travel expert who can arrange the holy land tour for you.