Archive for 'Churches & Religious Buildings'

The Basilica di San Nicola (or Church of St Nicholas) in Bari, is so beautiful that, once you have found a luxury villa in Puglia you might have been drawn there magnetically anyway. However, the name actually suggests another reason for you to visit this extraordinary building, especially at this time of year. That reason is that the church is dedicated to, and the final resting place of, St. Nicholas of Myra: i.e. Santa Claus. If you're holidaying in Puglia over the Christmas period, it is an absolute must to drop by and pay your respects to the man that has brought such joy to millions of children around the world – maybe don't tell the kids who is buried there, though!

We've already discussed some of the works of art left by great Venetian Renaissance master Titian around Venice but there are many more examples to consider. In fact, you could spend days just following his trail all around the majestic city. This is actually a rather good way to explore the buildings of Venice that might not otherwise make it on to your itinerary. It might seem like a trip to Italy features too many visits to churches and that one church is very much the same as another but this is not the case. These are not merely religious buildings but great works of art with limitless joys and secrets to bestow should you look a little more closely. Popping in to see a Titian on display gives you an opportunity to also take in some of the most beautiful parts of the city and some of her loveliest buildings. Just find a vacation rental in Venice and get exploring!

Titian, or Tiziano Vecellio, is one of the greatest artists to ever come out of Venice. Although, while he is celebrated as a big player in the Venetian Renaissance, he was actually born in Pieve di Cadore. However, he came to be an instrumental figure in Venetian art and many of his works still remain in that great city. If you want to see the city in a different way, why not follow his art around Venice? Many works occupy churches and cost nothing to visit, plus you'll see a lot more of Venice and some beautiful church interiors as you go about finding them. Just find a holiday rental in Venice and use our list to locate some of Titian's hidden gems in the city.

The cathedral of Amalfi is located in the city's main square. As with many churches in Italy, it has ancient origins but has been rebuilt or renovated countless times throughout the centuries. This building, however, is one of the most memorable churches you will visit in the country. Approached by a sweeping stone stair and with a polychromatic Arabic-inspired exterior, which speaks to the heritage of the area, it has an immediate impact on the viewer. If you are a fan of architectural gems perched by the sea, then Amalfi is just the place for you.

Find a holiday home on the Amalfi Coast and have you breath taken away by the sights and surroundings.

St Mark's Basilica in Venice, is the city's cathedral. The original church was built inside the complex of the Doge's Palace in 828 to house the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist which had supposedly been stolen by Venetian merchants from Alexandria. It was burned to the ground in 976 during an uprising and rebuilt twice. By the time it was to be rebuilt for the second time, the Venetian Republic had become a much greater power and, to symbolise its growing power and wealth, a new basilica complex was built and consecrated in 1094. This is the building that we know today. First, it was only used as the doge's private chapel and became the city's cathedral in the nineteenth century.