Archive for 'Churches & Religious Buildings'

If you have found a vacation rental in Campania and want to spend some time exploring the city of Naples, you were probably expecting to stay above ground. However, doing so would make you miss out on one of the most extraordinary attractions that the city has to offer, the Catacombs of San Gennaro. These incredible passageways are an astounding sight to behold and a must for anyone who really wants to experience all that Naples has to offer.

Located in the northern part of the city, on the slope leading up to Capodimonte, under the Rione Sanità neighbourhood of Naples, the catacombs can be readily found today by heading to the entrance at the large church of Madre del Buon Consiglio. Spread over two levels, called San Gennaro Superiore and San Gennaro Inferiore, the catacombs are often referred to as the “Valley of the Dead” and date back to the 3rd of 4th century, though are likely built over older pre-Christian burial sites.

If you have found a vacation rental in Naples, there is one museum in the city that you really cannot afford to miss. The Cappella Sansevero, or the Cappella Sansevero de' Sangri or Pietatella, is a chapel located on Via Francesco de Sanctis 19, in the historic center of the city that is home to incredible works of art by some of the leading Italian artists of the 18th century. It is a source of pride of Naples and is stuffed to the gills with some of the most beautiful art pieces and objects that one could ever expect to lay eyes upon. Both church and museum, this little gem is a true reflection of the heritage of extraordinary works of religious art in Italy.

Dating back to 1590, the chapel was originally built by John Francesco di Sangro, Duke of Torremaggiore, as he recovered from a serious illness as a private chapel in the gardens of Palazzo Sansevero, the family's noble residence. It later became a family burial chapel and was connected to the palace until 1888.

Today, the Cappella Sansevero is a public building and home to incredible masterpieces like the famous Veiled Christ, which is famous for the extraordinary tissue-like quality of the marble. Created by Giuseppe Sanmartino in 1753, who was a young relatively unknown Neapolitan artist at the time, it is now the most famous piece and the focal point of the collection, located at the centre of the nave of the chapel. Intensely realistic and emotional, it dramatically evokes the reality of the dead Christ's suffering and body; showcasing a swollen vein still pulsating on the forehead and wounds from the nails of Crucifixion on the hands and feet.

While it might sound a bit strange or macabre, if you have found a vacation rental in Rome and are planning on spending a Valentine's break in the city, then you have to make time to go and see St. Valentine's skull...

Or, what, at least is claimed to have been the skull of St. Valentine. The tricky part is that there were two saints by that name in Italy at the same time (around the 3rd century AD) and a third in North Africa. After the creation of a feast day for St Valentine on the 14th of February by Pope Gelasius I in 496, the stories of the three seem to have merged together and by the 14th century this singular entity had become a patron saint of lovers, who (according to the newly created mythology) had helped early Christian couples marry in secret.

The Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo sul Gargano, or Il Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo, often simply referred to as “Monte Gargano”, is a Catholic church and sanctuary located on Mount Gargano in northern Apulia. A UNESCO-awarded World Heritage Site as part of a group of seven Longobard sites in Italy, it is an old and historic building that is both beautiful and fascinating.

As the oldest shrine dedicated to the archangel Michael in Western Europe, it has been an important pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages and today it remains of religious importance but is equally of historic and artistic interest to tourists.

The stunning historic centre of Ferrara is enclosed by over nine kilometres of walls, and is a gorgeous Renaissance city, full of lovely buildings, fascinating cultural gems, and plenty of surprises, it is a UNESCO awarded beauty. With its impossibly charming setting and the vast array of things to see and do, this lesser-known gem among international tourists is a wonderful place to head to for day trips of exploring its many attractions and secrets. In fact, the city boasts a lot of the same charms as Florence but without the tourist crowds. Just find a holiday rental in Emilia Romagna and come uncover its appeal for yourself.

Here are ten things to see, do and keep an eye out for on your trip to Ferrara...

1. Visit The Castello Estense

This imposing castle was the result of townspeople turning on the ruling d'Este family during a time of high taxes and poverty in the 14th century.