Falling in love with charming Italy is not hard. Its beguiling landmarks, world-famous cuisine, striking landscapes, and historic cities are just a few of the things you will surely fall deeply in love with Italy. There’s so much to put in the list of must-visit Italy landmarks for your next Italy escapade. To narrow down the list, we have listed the most beautiful and famous Italy landmarks.
1. Colosseum in Rome
You haven’t really visited Italy if you won’t stop over the world-famous Colosseum. This massive amphitheatre is the largest of its kind and is one of the best spectacles there is in Italy! Built by the Roman empire, the Colosseum erects in the centre of Rome.
This impressive building was constructed in 70 AD. As you stare to the stunning stone amphitheatre, imagine over 50,000 loud spectators cheering for brutal gladiators. The Colosseum is also the best arena for chariot races, wild animal fights, and humans battling wild beasts.
The ancient amphitheatre stands proud in the middle of modern infrastructure. It serves as a prominent reminder of the extensive and riveting history of Rome.
2. Canale Grande (Venice)
One of the best ways to enjoy your Italy vacation is by taking a gondola ride through the canals of Venice. Travellers have been loving this “traditional” way of exploring the hidden gems and beauty of Italy. Glide through the canals, under bridges, and pass through tiny shops that sell glass figurines and decorated masks.
The canals have long been Venice’s main streets. Along the canals are ancient buildings that have been standing for centuries. The Grand Canal is the most photographed sites in Venice and is actually the most popular waterways of all the canals.
3. Leaning Tower in Pisa
In the seaside town in Tuscany is the world-famous Leaning Tower. It is one of the top attractions in Italy. Tourists always take obligatory selfies and leaning pose to mimic the slanted tower.
Several things made this tilted tower famous:
First, the tower was not designed as it is. It was constructed in 1173. However, aside from the fact that the structure was miscalculated they also built it on soft ground. It caused the tower to lean on!
Second, locals said that the famous Italian scientist Galileo Galilei used the tower when he experimented gravity. It is believed that Galileo dropped various objects from the top of the tower.
The leaning tower measures 180-feet tall, and its tilt is more than 14 ft. So top leans so much that the tower seems to fall. So in 19999, some soil was taken from underneath the tower to lower the degree of the tilt and so that it won’t topple over.
Fun fact: The tower has 294 steps!
4. Pompeii Ruins (Naples)
In Southern Italy stands the beautiful ancient ruins of Pompeii. The town was once home to over 10,000 people but was destroyed by an eruption of the nearby volcano — Mount Vesuvius — in 79 AD (the volcano is still active today, by the way).
The magnificent Mt. Vesuvius looks down to the ancient amphitheatre and preserved art treasures of the city such as mosaics, frescoes, and sculptures. Excavations have revealed the remains of houses, temples, markets, theatres, baths, and even human remains. Tourists from different parts of the world always visit the site and walk along the ancient streets.
5. Roman Forum
One of the most remarkable Italy landmarks is the Roman Forum, the centre of a public meeting place for the people of ancient Rome. This old central square sits right next to the Colosseum. Built around 800 BC, the Forum continues to attract tourists. The tall and aged pillars, along with the preserved brick walls, create a nostalgic effect that makes for the perfect scenery. The Roman Forum was in use for around 1400 years. Interestingly, the ruins of the temples and buildings of the Forum were only discovered in 1803!
6. Dolomites (Northern Italy)
If landscapes and terrains are your thing, then you will surely love the Dolomites in Northern Italy. Hikers, mountain bikers, and climbers visit the Dolomites for a beautiful outdoor experience. Most of the mountain peaks are 3,000 metres high. The weather in the Dolomites change pretty quickly, so if you’re looking to stop by the Dolomites for an invigorating adventure, then make sure to prepare yourself.
7. St. Peter’s Cathedral (Rome)
The most famous and biggest cathedral in the entire globe is perched perfectly in Rome. St. Peter’s Basilica is not just a church, but it has also become one of the most visited tourist spots in the world. The church brags 284 columns — each has statues of saints. The dome is 42 meters in diameter. It took 170 years for the construction of the massive church to be completed. Sitting next to the Basilica is the Sistine Chapel where the famous painting of Michelangelo, Creation of Adam, is displayed.
Ironically, the biggest church in Vatican City, a city that belongs to the Vatican State, which happens to be the smallest country in the world.
Fun fact: St. Peter’s Basilica is the world’s largest church.
8. Milan Cathedral
Feast your eyes to the stunning Gothic structure of the magnificent and famous Milan Cathedral. This church has become not only a place of worship for devotees, but it has also become a tourist attraction. Vacationers always stop by Milan Cathedral to view the 600-year-old pink-hued white marble cathedral. This gigantic church has 3,400 statues engraved in its pillars, and a hundred other spires and figures.
Did you know? Milan Cathedral is listed as the fifth largest church in the world.
9. The Duomo (Florence)
Another spectacle that you must see in Italy is the world-famous Duomo. Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi (a founding father of Renaissance architecture), Duomo has an explicit gothic design with its pink-, white-, and green-polished marble exterior. The Duomo is known as one of the finest cathedrals in the world. It was built between the 13th and 15th centuries and was completed in 1434. There is a campanile that’s 82 meters tall and has 414 steps before you can reach the top and enjoy the incredible skyline and cityscape.
