The theater of Marcellus is an ancient theater (as the name suggests) that is currently in use as a modern apartment building. The...

Bernini was the greatest sculptor of the Baroque period and his St. Theresa in Ecstasy presents the moment that St. Theresa of Avila...

I thought it would be interesting to treat the Seven Pilgrimage Churches of Rome on Sundays. The tradition of visiting pilgrimage...

The Church of St. Agnes in Agone contains the relic of a young martyr — Saint Agnes — whose story is one of the most moving and...

One of the most fascinating types of churches in Rome are the titular churches — churches that were once house-churches, and still today...

This little Fountain of Books is located in a wonderfully rich part of the city, and is easy to overlook. It borders the Piazza Navona,...

At the intersection of four Roman streets, each corner features a fountain with a river god or symbolic figure. The site sits directly between Santa Maria Maggiore and the Spanish Steps, with obelisks visible at both ends — a product of papal urban planning. Don’t miss San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, Borromini’s unforgettable little church tucked into one corner.

The Arch of Janus is a four-sided structure located near the Tiber River, close to where Romulus and Remus reportedly washed ashore. Adjacent to it is the church of San Giorgio al Velabro. While named for the two-faced god Janus, there is no historical connection to the deity.

Michelangelo's Risen Christ is located in the church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, behind the Pantheon in Rome. This masterpiece by Michelangelo is accessible to visitors away from typical crowds. The church has recently undergone renovations, making it an opportune time to visit this significant work.

I am starting a new series called Brevia Italica , which is Latin for Snippets of Italy , or Italian Briefs . While I have written about some magnificent churches and my favorite things to see in Florence, is so much more to see in Italy beyond my go-to favorites, such as Michelangelo's David and St. Peter's. This series will allow me to provide you with a snapshot of a specific site or image in Italy. I will present these every day of the week, with the following themes:

The Central Market is the best place in Florence to grab a bite to eat. As the name suggests, it is located centrally and there is...

The Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence is the perfect example of Renaissance architecture. The interior was designed by Brunelleschi,...

Michelangelo called the doors to Florence's baptistery the Gates of Paradise. Over a quarter of a century in the making, the bronze...

If you are able and time permits, I strongly encourage you to take the opportunity to climb the steps to the top of the Cupola of the...

Orsanmichele leads my list of sights to see in your flash visit to Florence. If you were to look at the outside of the building, you...

Florence is a city that will give you whatever time you have. Whether you are spending four hours or four months, the city provides...

Rome was lost. Citizens were dying. This was 1522 and not the black death of 1348, Nevertheless the cultural memory must have been...

In the middle of Padua there is a building that I find, well, mysterious! In other words, looking at this building, I can't tell you...

If sightseeing in Padua has worn you out, take the time to relax at the Prato delle Valle. The Italian word ”prato” means "meadow", and...

Explore the Abbey Church of St. Giustina in Padua, a tribute to the 4th-century martyr. While its facade is famously plain, the interior reveals a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Discover the elegant aisles influenced by Brunelleschi, the stunning variations on the Pantheon's dome, and the sacred relics of St. Giustina and Luke the Evangelist housed within.