The Galleria dell'Accademia, as it is known in Italian, was established in the 18th century to hold masters’ works so that young artists could study them, and remains an important center of art education to this day.

It is also home to a number of famous masterpieces by Michelangelo, including his renowned sculpture David, who stands about 10 feet tall, on a pedestal beneath a skylight.

In the entrance hallway are Michelangelo's four Prisoners, extraordinary marble sculptures intentionally left unfinished by the artist, and adjacent first floor rooms hold marble statues and plaster casts by important sculptors including Bartolini and Pampaloni, precious Late Gothic Florentine art, rare Russian icons, and in the Byzantine Rooms are a collection of gold panels and Florentine paintings.

This massive fortress is known by several names: Angevin Castle, after its founder; New Castle, or Castelnuovo in Italian, to distinguish it from another castle nearby, which is about 300 years older; and locally as the Maschio Angioino, also a reference to the founder Charles I of Naples.

A descendent of a medieval French dynasty, he – like the castle – is also known by another name: Charles of Anjou. The castle is a fascinating trapezoidal building with five round towers.

Today it is the seat of the City Council and, since 1990, the site of the Civic Museum.

Between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill sits one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome, the Arch of Constantine is the largest of three that still stand today.

Built by Constantine to celebrate his victory over his rival Maxentius in 312, the triple arch is on the road taken by the triumphal processions. The arches are built using recycled remains of older Roman monuments, and using various construction techniques, which some theories argue might be indicative of several periods of construction.

Dating to the first century, countless triumphal arches have since been modeled on this early design.

The Arch of Titus is near the Forum, and was built of marble by the frugal Emperor Domitian. The monument celebrates his brother Titus's capture of Jerusalem and the subsequent conquering of the Jewish people.

There is even a portrait of the destruction of the temple and the pillage of a giant menorah along its base.

The mausoleum of the city's patron saint, the Basilica di San Marco is the most famous Venetian church and one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture anywhere. It has been called Chiesa d'Oro – "church of gold" – for its opulence, gilded mosaics, and its status as a symbol of wealth and power.

Begun in the 9th century and completed toward the end of the 10th after a fire, the five bulbous domes and other rooms in the church are decorated with Venetian glass, colorful mosaics, sparkling gold and fine Italian marble, with designs that indicate European, Islamic and Byzantine influences.

A fabulous mosaic on the façade depicts how St. Mark's remains were smuggled out of Alexandria and finally laid to rest here.

The richly frescoed and decorated 13th century Basilica di Sant' Antonio houses the remains of St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost or mislaid objects, for whom the church was named.

Faithful pilgrims visit, as they have for centuries, in search of everything from lost items to lost love. Not only is his body entombed here, but his well-preserved jawbone, vocal chords and tongue are on display, apparently in honor of his legendary, eloquent preaching ability.

The Bridge of Sighs, or Ponte dei Sospiri, connects Venice’s old prisons to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. Built of white limestone between 1600 and 1603, the enclosed bridge has windows with stone bars.

According to one version of the story, the name was given by Lord Byron in the 19th century from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice from the bridge’s windows.

Another version has it that as the prisoners were taken across the bridge to receive fierce punishment, they would groan bitterly at their fate. A more upbeat legend promises lovers eternal love if they kiss on a gondola beneath the bridge at sundown.

Many people consider the frescoes in the 14th century Cappella degli Scrovegni to be one of the masterpieces of European art, and the main reason for visiting Padua.

The chapel is architecturally simple and unadorned except for three marble altar statues by Giovanni Pisano and the series of frescoes by Giotto lining its walls. It tells the story of the Virgin through the annunciation, nativity, crucifixion and resurrection, and was intended to inspire worshippers with Christ's sacrifice and mankind’s salvation. Even if you're not an expert, the works are quite extraordinary.

Visits are restricted, and special air-conditioning has been installed to protect these important works.

“Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay our scene, from ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.”

These opening lines of Shakespeare’s most famous play are arguably what has made “fair Verona” famous. The building was owned by the Dal Cappello family, whose coat-of-arms remains, in the 12th century.

The similarity of the name Cappello to Capulet began the popular belief that this was the home of Juliet, fictional heroine of the play. There is a tall ivy-laden balcony at Casa de Giulietta, too, evocative of the one in the play. The house was renovated in 1935 and is now used to display temporary art exhibitions, Renaissance ceramics, and furnishings, frescoes, and paintings relating to the story of Romeo and Juliet.

A bronze statue of Juliet, by sculptor Nereo Costantini, stands in the courtyard. Other Shakespeare-inspired landmarks in the area include Juliet's Tomb, now a romantic venue for small weddings, and Casa de Romeo – Romeo’s House – the historical home of the Montecchi family, said to have been the models for Shakespeare's Montagues.

Built in the 14th century as a fortress, rebuilt in the 15th century and then falling to ruin, this historic site was restored again following Italy’s unification in the 19th century.

It is now used to house a number of cultural institutions and civic museums, including the Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco, which holds Michelangelo's last sculpture, the Rondanini Pietà, Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Trivulzianus manuscript and other treasures.

Other museums and collections housed at the Castello include The Museum of Ancient Art, The Furniture Museum, The Museum of Musical Instruments, the Applied Arts Collection, The Egyptian and Prehistoric sections of the Archaeological Museum and the Achille Bertarelli Print Collection.

The former seat of the Della Scala family, now housing one of the finest art galleries in the Veneto region, with pieces from the late Roman and early Christian periods to Medieval and Renaissance art, as well as jewelry and suits of armor.

A modest 15th century church and former Franciscan convent, Santa Maria Degli Angeli is located at the end of an elegant shopping street.

The spectacular frescos inside are done by Bernardino Luini in a realistic Renaissance style, reminiscent of his mentor and colleague Leonardo da Vinci. The frescoes include Luini’s version of the Last Supper as well as depictions of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this famous Italian Renaissance church is one of the most striking monuments of the 15th century, and it holds one of the world’s great masterpieces in its refectory, The Last Supper, by Leonardo da Vinci.

The church itself was built in the late 1400’s, and an addition by the architect Bramante was added a few years later. In The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci cleverly painted the perspective to look like it is part of its setting.

An icon of Western civilization and one of the most famous works of art in the world, it took about 2 years to complete, and spans an impressive 15 x 29 feet.

The Colosseum – or Coliseum – is probably the most iconic symbol of Imperial Rome, as well as one of the great works of Roman architecture and engineering.

The first permanent amphitheater to be built in Rome, this enormous amphitheater was inaugurated by Titus in the 1st century. Although it is now near ruins, the Colosseum was used for almost 500 years for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles, including mock sea battles, executions, reenactments of famous battles, and Classical dramas.

With a capacity of an extraordinary 50,000 spectators, it is one of the great ancient Roman architectural monuments. The plan is an ellipse, 615 feet from end-to-end, covering about 6 acres, with about eighty entrances.

The Colosseum – or Coliseum – is probably the most iconic symbol of Imperial Rome, as well as one of the great works of Roman architecture and engineering. The first permanent amphitheater to be built in Rome, this enormous amphitheater was inaugurated by Titus in the 1st century.

Although it is now near ruins, the Colosseum was used for almost 500 years for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles, including mock sea battles, executions, reenactments of famous battles, and Classical dramas.

With a capacity of an extraordinary 50,000 spectators, it is one of the great ancient Roman architectural monuments. The plan is an ellipse, 615 feet from end-to-end, covering about 6 acres, with about eighty entrances.

The shopping Galleria is not only known for its fabulous shopping but also for its huge stained glass domed roof (48m), truly magnificent in its array of colors. It is named after Vittorio Emanuele II, the first ruler of Italy.

These Public Gardens cover 160,000 square meters, and has a small lake with geese and fish, faux rock hill, rides, a miniature train and refreshment stands.

Shaped much like a giant question mark or inverted S across the middle of the city, the Grand Canal is Venice's largest and most famous thoroughfare.

It’s traveled by water buses, private water taxis called vaporetti, and, as many tourists already know, gondolas. Traveling the canals is the best way to see Venice's beautiful waterfront architecture, places and museums.

Most traffic travels the length of the canal. In addition to the canals, the city is connected by about 400 footbridges. The largest, Ponte Rialto, is covered and houses a number of small shops.

A gracious villa on the Via Dell'Abbondanza – street of abundance – in Pompeii, and fronted by great bronze doors, the House of Loreius Tiburtinus is also sometimes called the House of Octavius Quartio.

This house stands out for its extensive gardens and excellent, well preserved artwork.  Conveniently located – the street that was closed to cart traffic in ancient times – and boasting well decorated rooms, many guests must have passed through.

The gardens have fountains at their centers, with many frescoes and statuettes around.

See also: Pompei

Named for a small bronze statue of a dancing faun found on the site, this residence is best known for the Have  – Welcome – mosaic at the entrance, and the Alexander Mosaic, one of the most celebrated mosaics to have survived.

Once among the largest, most luxurious private residences in Pompeii, the House of the Faun occupies an entire city block.

See also: The Ruined City of Pompeii

The House of the Vettii is on a back street opposite a bar.

Named for its owners, two successful freedmen – Aulus Vettius Conviva and Aulus Vettius Restitutus – it was a luxurious residence. It has many well-preserved murals, including a number of erotic works – though most of these are often kept behind locked doors.

In the entrance foyer is a large image of Priapus with a bag of coins and a set of scales. The enclosed formal garden still allows a glimpse of the wealth and taste of its owners.

The marble and bronze garden statuary and some household items have been kept in the house, rather than moved to a museum.

See also: The Ruined City of Pompei

The La Scala Opera House is the premier opera venue of the world.

It was inaugurated in 1778 and is still in operation, having hosted many opera legends, including Arturo Toscanini, Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti. The La Scala Museum – Museo Teatrale alla Scala –  is adjacent to the foyer and contains an extraordinary collection of art, costumes, and other memorabilia of opera and La Scala's history.

The Accademia d’Arti e Mestieri dello Spettacolo is La Scala’s Academy for Performing Arts. The school continues to cultivate talent in voice, music, dance, theatre tech and design.

A square in Rome that hosts four Republican Roman temples, and the remains of Pompey's Theater. It is located in the ancient Campus Martius.

The campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of the Duomo Pisa was built in the 12th century by Bonnano Pisano.

Although a masterpiece of architecture, it is mostly famous for its tilt. It rests on highly unstable sandy soil which gives the famous Torre de Pisa its tilt – and its nickname. In fact, you might notice that the baptistry leans the other way.

Every year it shifts another 1-2mm, although in recent history the structure has been girded with steel cables to try to halt its impending collapse. For safety reasons, the interior has been closed to the public. However, the view from outside is just as amazing.

Next to the Teatro Grande in Pompeii is its better-preserved little brother, Teatro Piccolo, built in 75 B.C.  It is the earliest example of a Roman theater with a roof, and is an excellent example of ancient theatrical architecture.

With a capacity of about a thousand, the theatre was used mainly for musical performances.

See also: Ruined City of Pompei

Ferries arrive at the charming seaside port of Marina Grande, where the arms of two quays welcome the visitor to the beautiful island of Capri. A funicular sweeps you up the hill to the town with its legendary views.

Until 1928, the marina was a natural reef, and passengers rowed ashore from their boats in dinghies. Now it is a spacious seaside resort with a wide beach and international visitors.

The picturesque houses near the beach are typical of traditional Capri fishermen’s homes, with an upper level for living space and a lower housing boats. Originally, these homes were built right on the sea line, but the rebuilding of the port has changed that, and the only evidence is old photographs of Capri.

These quaint houses serve as a reminder of Capri’s origins as a seafaring island with a unique history and culture.

Piccola means small, and so Marina Piccola is a smaller marina across the island from Marina Grande. It is a small village on the island’s southern landing place, set in a charming inlet at the foot of Monte Solaro.

A lido is a beach, and not surprisingly, there are several nice ones here, as well as some excellent restaurants and cafés.

Originally a cluster of fishermen’s houses overlooking two small beaches, Marina Piccola is located near the famous Faraglioni and Siren's rock, dedicated to mythical enchantresses.

At the turn of the century, this spot was popular with foreigner painters, evidence of which can be found in art museums worldwide. These days, Marina Piccola is best known for its bathing beaches and restaurants.

The only active volcano on the European continent, Mt. Vesuvius is best known for its eruption in AD79, when it rained ash and molten lava on the city of Pompeii. It is still considered a dangerous volcano, primarily because of the population living nearby.

It has not erupted since 1944.

See also: The Ruined City of Pompei

Musei Civici degli Eremitani, is located next door to the famous Cappella dei Scrovegni. 

Formerly the monastery of the Eremitani, this three-part museum houses an archeological collection on the ground floor and an extensive assembly of 14th to 19th century art upstairs. It's a fairly long walk through tracts of ordinary stuff, but there are works by masters including Bellini, Giotto, Giordano, Titian, Tintoretto and Tiepolo, too.

One of the great scientists of his time,  Alessandro Volta was an 18th physicist known for his pioneering work in electricity; his 1776 electrochemical cell was the first battery of its kind, and the volt was named after him.

Volta was well known in his day; Napoleon made him a count in 1801. The Como museum in his honor, also know as the Voltian Temple, displays some of his original instruments and experiments.

Once a family palace, the Palazzo Correale is now a museum devoted to Neapolitan paintings, decorative arts, and porcelains. Its 17th century collections are among the finest anywhere.

You may also see stunning 18th century inlaid tables, porcelains, Rococo portrait miniatures, regional Greek and Roman archeological finds, medieval marble work, glasswork and old-master paintings.

But the gardens are the real attraction,with palm and citrus trees, floral nurseries, and a world-class view of the Sorrento coast and Gulf of Naples.

The Museo Nazionale di San Matteo is located in a former Benedictine Convent dating from the 11th century.

The walls of the building still have original paintings and decorative patterns from the late Middle Ages and hint at Islamic influence during Italy’s middle ages. The collection is largely Tuscan sculpture and paintings from the 12th to the 15th century, including masterworks by Giovanni and Andrea Pisano, Nino Pisano and Masaccio.

There are also original sculptures from several local churches which have been moved here to protect them from increasing pollution, and have been replaced by replicas in the churches.

Paintings of Narcissus – framing a water cascade next to the villa's lovely garden, now replanted with vines and shrubs at the House of Marcus Lucretius Fronto.

See also: The Ruined City of Pompei

For centuries the home of Milan's rulers, the foundations of this Neoclassical palace date back to an 11th century town hall; the site has been rebuilt a number of times since.

The palace was badly bombed during W.W.II and parts of the building remain unrepaired, as a reminder of war’s tragedy. This rich history is an incongruous backdrop for exhibits of contemporary art, photography, textiles and fashion, as well as eminent 20th century artists, including Mondrian, Kandinsky, Picasso, Matisse, Klee, Sironi and Morandi.

The Royal Palace in Naples is one of the four residences used by the Bourbon Kings during their 18th and 19th century rule. Today, however, what we see is the result of numerous additions and changes, including some post-World War II restoration to repair bomb damage.

A series of statues along the western façade depicts the rulers of dynasties who ruled Naples since the twelfth century. The palace and grounds house the Teatro di San Carlo opera house,  as well as a museum showing furniture, porcelain and pictures, and a number of city offices.

A simple mansion on the banks of the Arno, near the Leaning Tower and duomo, the Palazzo Reale was built in the 16th century as a summer escape for the Medici family.

It is believed that Galileo used the tower here to observe the stars. Now the place is home to the Soprintendenza dei Beni Culturali, the national institute for preservation of archaeological and artistic treasures as well as city structures and buildings.

There is a gallery with important works of art, including some paintings by Raffaello and Canova, and archeological displays from excavations of Pisa's ancient harbor.

Also known as the Palazzo della Signoria, this famous palace has seen at least three stages of construction, from the 13th through 16th centuries. Today the palace houses the offices of the City Council and much of it is still open to the public.

Pantheon means "Temple of all the gods." Accordingly, the Pantheon in Rome, which dates back to 27 B.C, was built as a temple to all the gods of ancient Rome. Partly destroyed and rebuilt between 118 and 125 A.D., it is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings, and perhaps even the best of its age in the world.

The height of the dome and diameter of the interior circle are the same, at an impressive 142 feet. The Pantheon has been used as a Christian church since the 7th century, and has been in continuous use throughout its history.

It has also been used as a tomb since the Renaissance, with Raffaello, Vittorio Emanuele II, Umberto I entombed here

An L-shaped square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, the site of the 13th century Piazza della Signoria has been the political heart of the city from the Middle Ages to the present day. 

Massive sculptures are set around the perimeter of this large square, including a copy of Michelangelo's David, Donatello's Judith and Holofernes, Bandinelli's Hercules and the controversial Neptune.  Also known as the Palazzo della Signoria, this famous palace has seen at least three stages of construction, from the 13th through 16th centuries.

Today the palace houses the offices of the City Council and much of it is still open to the public.  Also in the Square at the Loggia dei Lanzi are graphic statues depicting the slaying of Medusa, the Rape of the Sabines and the Rape of Polyxena.

The Pinacoteca di Brera – Brera Art Gallery, in English – is an art collection in Milan, exhibiting a superior collection of Italian paintings.

The Pinacoteca shares the Palazzo Brera site with the Brera Academy, a public academic institution offering courses of study in painting, sculpture, graphics, photography, video and other creative arts, as well as cultural historical disciplines.

The most famous piece in the collection is perhaps Supper at Emmaus by the Italian master Caravaggio. It is one of two works by the artist on the same subject; the other is in the National Gallery in London.

The magnificent dome of the Baptistery is almost 180 feet high and nearly 350 feet across.

It is an acoustic wonder; an unamplified choir can be heard 12 miles away. It’s the largest baptistery in Italy, and is built entirely of marble on the same sandy soil as the Tower – you might be able to detect the slight lean towards the cathedral. The pulpit, carved by Nicola Pisano, is considered an excellent example of Renaissance art.

The Ruined City of Pompeii

House of the Faun  

Named for a small bronze statue of a dancing faun found on the site, this residence is best known for the Have  – Welcome – mosaic at the entrance, and the Alexander Mosaic, one of the most celebrated mosaics to have survived. Once among the largest, most luxurious private residences in Pompeii, the House of the Faun occupies an entire city block.

House of the Vettii

The House of the Vettii is on a back street opposite a bar. Named for its owners, two successful freedmen – Aulus Vettius Conviva and Aulus Vettius Restitutus – it was a luxurious residence. It has many well-preserved murals, including a number of erotic works – though most of these are often kept behind locked doors. In the entrance foyer is a large image of Priapus with a bag of coins and a set of scales. The enclosed formal garden still allows a glimpse of the wealth and taste of its owners. The marble and bronze garden statuary and some household items have been kept in the house, rather than moved to a museum.

The House of the Tragic Poet

Named for a mosaic that has since been moved to a Naples museum, this is an excellent example of a middle-class Roman empire house. Not large, but richly decorated to showcase the owner's wealth. The house is connected to some shops, indicating that it belonged to a merchant. The entrance has a mosaic of a large chained dog with the inscription Cave Canem – Beware of the dog.

Paintings of Narcissus

Paintings of Narcissus – framing a water cascade next to the villa's lovely garden, now replanted with vines and shrubs at the House of Marcus Lucretius Fronto.

The Amphitheater    

One of Italy's most intact and accessible, and also its oldest, dating from 80 BC. It once had room for a crowd of some 12,000. The theatre had stone and wooden seats, VIP lodges, and a canvas sunscreen spanning over the galleries for events and spectacles like Gladiator fights.

The Palestra

A vast parade and training ground used by Pompeii's youth for sport and exercise, the  swimming pool must have been in use when the eruption struck; its southeast corner was found littered with the skeletons of young men trying to flee the disaster.

Mount Vesuvius

The only active volcano on the European continent, Mt. Vesuvius is best known for its eruption in AD79, when it rained ash and molten lava on the city of Pompeii. It is still considered a dangerous volcano, primarily because of the population living nearby.

It has not erupted since 1944.

Villa dei Misteri

Located about half a mile outside Pompeii, this villa survived the eruption of Vesuvius quite well. While it, too, was buried under feet of ash, its walls, ceilings, and notably, its frescoes, were largely undamaged. The Villa dei Misteri is best known for one room – covered with vivid and unusual frescoes. The subject of the frescoes is open to interpretation. Some say the images depict initiation scenes of the cult of Dionysus; others believe they show a young woman undergoing the rites of marriage.

Known in Italy as both Ponte Scaligero and Ponte di Castelvecchio, this 14th century red brick bridge is one of the oldest segmental arch bridges in Europe.

Constructed for defensive reasons, it is also beautiful, and considered a Middle Ages engineering masterpiece.

Its longest arch is over 158 feet long, the world's largest when it was built. The bridge was heavily damaged during world War II, but has been restored in subsequent years.

Ponte Vecchio, Italian for Old Bridge, is a covered medieval bridge over the Arno River at its narrowest point. It is famous for being lined with jewelry shops, which thrive to this day.

Once occupied mostly by butchers, this bridge has housed shops since the beginning, and they have a history of their own. The ones in back, visible from upriver, were added in the 17th century.

The Roman Forum, along the Via Sacra, the oldest street in Rome, includes remnants of ancient buildings and arches such as the Senate House, the Basilica, and the Arch of Septimus Severus.

Also still standing are the assembly place and Caesar's platform, where senators and commoners could publicly voice their opinions. It is also said that Romulus, one of the founders of Rome, is buried beneath the Black Stone (Lapis Niger).

Piazza San Marco, known in English as St. Mark's Square, is the principal, and perhaps most famous, square of Venice.

The Piazza originated in the 9th century and was enlarged to its present size and shape in 1177. The inadvertent forced perspective is a result of a center canal having been filled in, leaving the trapezoidal space that we see today. A remark erroneously attributed to Napoleon refers to St. Mark’s as "The drawing room of Europe" for its comfortable scale and acoustics.

The square is home to many tourist shops, cafes, and pigeons. At night, visitors can enjoy live music outside the cafes.

Officially known in Italian as the Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano, this 16th century Vatican City cathedral is considered to be the greatest church in Christendom, covering almost 6 acres and with a capacity of over 60,000 people.

Believed to be the burial site of Saint Peter, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, it is also one of Catholicism’s holiest sites. Many popes and saints are buried in the grottos below. Moreover, it is considered architecturally to be the greatest building of its age.

Fittingly, it contains some of the premier masterpieces of Italian art history, including Michelangelo’s poignant Pietà, and many works by Bernini.

The oldest continuously active such venue in Europe, and second in excellence only to la Scala Opera House in Milan, Teatro di San Carlo is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It was commissioned by King Charles of Bourbon to replace the deteriorating theater of San Bartolomeo, and is located in Naples’ Palazzo Reale. The decor is a sumptuous blue and gold – the official colors of the Bourbons.

Since its opening in 1737, famous singers, musicians, conductors, and composers like Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini, have contributed to its stature. Benito Mussolini delivered his famous fascist speech from its stage just before the march on Rome, and today operas and ballets are still performed there.

The largest Franciscan church in the world, and considered a masterpiece of Gothic art, the Basilica di Santa Croce contains many notable works and artifacts. There are cloisters designed by Brunescelli, frescoes by Giotto, naves holding religious paintings by the finest Florentine painters of the period, and many excellent examples of Renaissance sculpture.

Although construction began in the late 13th century, the bell tower and facade were not completed until the 19th. The beautiful church is the final resting place for Machiavelli, Galileo, Michelangelo and many other celebrated historical figures.

The 12th-century Basilica di San Zeno, also known as San Zeno Maggiore, is the best known religious building of Verona.

It is known for its fine Romanesque architecture – as well as the story that its crypt was the one mentioned in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.  It is the fifth church on the same historic site. The bronze doors feature reliefs of Biblical scenes, and the interior is unusual, with a 14th-century timber roof and 13th- to 15th-century frescoes in the aisles.

The most important of the many fine artworks here is the San Zeno Altarpiece by Andrea Mantegna.

Saint Lucy of Syracuse, also known as Saint Lucia, Santa Lucia, or Saint Lukia, (traditional dates 283–304) was a rich young Christian martyr who is venerated as a saint by Catholic and Orthodox Christians.      

Santa Lucia is a well-known traditional Neapolitan song. It was transcribed by Teodoro Cottrau at Naples in 1849. The Neapolitan lyrics of Santa Lucia celebrate the picturesque waterfront district, Borgo Santa Lucia, in the Bay of Naples, in the invitation of a boatman to take a turn in his boat, the better to enjoy the cool of the evening.

The Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice is not only a great example of Venetian Renaissance architecture; it holds a tour de force series of more than 60 paintings by the master Tintoretto, inspiring some to call the Scuola the “Sistine Chapel of Venice.” 

Perhaps Venice's greatest painter, Tintoretto, these paintings are his most acclaimed works. They date to the 15th century and took 23 years to complete; Tintoretto promised three paintings a year, a token of his devotion. The paintings were restored in the 1970s.

The nearby Chiesa di San Rocco was built in the 15th century and was substantially altered in the 18th, adding a sculpture-filled façade.

The Sistine Chapel was built, and the decoration of the walls complete, by 1483. But it was Michelangelo's ceiling frescos, painted a quarter century later, that brought true immortality.

Commissioned by the Pope in 1508 to decorate the chapel, Michelangelo used a  network of scaffolding to reach the high vaulted ceilings. He divided the ceiling into nine panels, each showing a scene from Genesis.

Contrary to legend, although he did do much of the work himself, Michelangelo also had assistants to help with the paintings. Scholarly evidence suggests, too, that he painted mostly while standing. Nevertheless, it was an arduous task, and remains a compelling story.

The Chapel Ceiling has been cleaned, and the frescos restored to their original brilliance.

One of Italy's most intact and accessible, and also its oldest, dating from 80 BC. It once had room for a crowd of some 12,000. The theatre had stone and wooden seats, VIP lodges, and a canvas sunscreen spanning over the galleries for events and spectacles like Gladiator fights.

See also: The Ruined City of Pompeii

A broletto  is a “palace of the commune,” a public building dedicated to secular use. The 13th century Broletto in Como is prettily striped in pink, white and grey marble. Located next to the cathedral, it has been a town hall, a theater and is now an exhibitions center in the downtown district.

Brunelleschi's stupendous architectural monument dominates the cityscape. The close-up view is even more breathtaking, with the multicolored Duomo rising behind the marble-clad Baptistry.

Its construction, particularly the cupola, was one of the most impressive achievements of the Renaissance, requiring a special technique that made it possible to create the curves of the huge cupola without a supporting framework.

This contribution took most of his life and formed the basis of Renaissance architecture. Other examples of Brunelleschi's architecture can be seen in the churches of San Lorenzo, Santo Spirito and the Cappella dei Pazzi.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this famous Italian Renaissance church is one of the most striking monuments of the 15th century, and it holds one of the world’s great masterpieces in its refectory, The Last Supper, by Leonardo da Vinci.

The church itself was built in the late 1400’s, and an addition by the architect Bramante was added in a few years later. In The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci cleverly painted the perspective to look like it is part of its setting.

An icon of Western civilization and one of the most famous works of art in the world, it took about 2 years to complete, and spans an impressive 15 x 29 feet.

Begun at the end of the fourteenth century but not completed until the eighteenth, when the Baroque genius Juvarra added the cupola.

The church is reckoned to be Italy's best example of Gothic-Renaissance fusion: the Gothic spirit clear in the fairy-tale pinnacles, rose windows and buffoonish gargoyles; that of the Renaissance in its portals and in the presence of the two pagans flanking the main west door - the Elder and Younger Plinys, both of whom were born in Como. Inside, the Gothic aisles are hung with rich Renaissance tapestries.

However famous and fascinating the Tower might be, Duomo still dominates the Piazza dei Miracoli.

The Pisa Cathedral was the first example of the now-distinctive Pisan Romanesque style, and a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture by any measure. Moreover, it is recognized worldwide as a main center for medieval art. A disastrous fire destroyed most of the cathedral's artworks in the 16th century, but fortunately, some of the best Renaissance artists were available and hired for reconstruction.

At the entrance opposite the Leaning Tower is the original bronze Door of San Ranieri, cast by Bonnano Pisano. The pulpit by Giovanni Pisano is now widely regarded as a masterpiece. It was discovered after years in a crate in 1926, reassembled, and put back in its original position.

Ruins of some of the town's most important official buildings – a basilica, temples to Apollo and Jupiter, a market hall.

The Teatro Grande in Pompeii was built in the 5th century B.C and rebuilt in the 1st century A.D. It sat as many as 5,000 spectators. There were 3 price ranges: marble terraces up close, with wooden seats for two; the main section, and cheap seats up near the canvas rooftop.

The exclusive  box seats offer a view in addition to the stage – the gladiators’ barracks and courtyard out back.

See also: Ruined City of Pompeii

Named for a mosaic that has since been moved to a Naples museum, this is an excellent example of a middle-class Roman empire house. Not large, but richly decorated to showcase the owner's wealth.

The house is connected to some shops, indicating that it belonged to a merchant. The entrance has a mosaic of a large chained dog with the inscription Cave Canem – Beware of the dog.

See also: The Ruined City of Pompeii

Also located within Piazza dei Miracoli and dating back to 1648, it is one of the oldest Hebrew cemeteries in Europe, with inscriptions in Hebrew, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Czech.

Rome is home to Europe's oldest continuous Jewish community, dating back as early the 3rd century BC.

In the 16th century, hostility towards the Jewish community was on the rise, and  Pope Paul IV confined the Jews of Rome to the 21/2-acre area now known as the Jewish Ghetto. Built on a frequently flooded bend of the Tiber River, a wall was built around it, a curfew was imposed and living conditions were crowded and unhygienic.

More than 4,000 people remained confined to this small part of the city until Italian unification in the 19th century. Hence, today the Jewish Ghetto is both a source of pride and a reminder of a painful past. Most of the old buildings of the Ghetto were demolished over time; the old synagogue was destroyed by a fire in 1893.

Now that site boasts a school, a new synagogue, and other buildings dating from the turn of the century. Many Jewish families remain in the area; the synagogue is open for services only and an employs an armed guard.

This museum and its collection have been moved three times in its 135 years history. It’s now located in the Palazzo Zuckerman, commissioned by industrialist Enrico Zuckermann, and built in the early 20th century.

The original museum was founded around 1870 with the donation by Nicola Bottacin, a wealthy merchant, of his entire collection to the city of Padua.

The numismatic collection is one of the most important in the world, with more than 50,000 coins, medals and seals . In addition, there are a number of fine paintings and sculptures, acquired by Bottacin for his Trieste villa.

An 1839 neoclassical reconstruction of an earlier mansion with an octagonal tower surmounts the facade. Within its park is a miniature zoo and an aviary. The art collection consists of paintings by such artists as Manet, Cézanne and Matisse. The park offers a superb setting for summertime concerts.

A vast parade and training ground used by Pompeii's youth for sport and exercise, the  swimming pool must have been in use when the eruption struck; its southeast corner was found littered with the skeletons of young men trying to flee the disaster.

See also: The Ruined City of Pompei

Vatican City, “headquarters” for more than a billion Catholics worldwide.

Vatican Museum, a treasure trove of sculptures, paintings and tapestries.

The Vatican Museums, Musei Vaticani in Italian, are a series of art museums in the Vatican City, housing over 9 miles of the most extensive collection of art in the world, and are open to the public.

The museums originated with Pope Julius II in the 16th century, with a small number of sculptures. The Popes were among the first to open their art collections to the public to encourage cultural interest, and the number of museums and collections has grown over the centuries.

There are now at least 24 museums and collections housed in the Vatican, including a number of masterpieces by Caravaggio, da Vinci, Giotto, Raphael, Poussin,Titian and, of course, Michelangelo’s heroic Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes. Since early 2000, there is a new welcome visitors entrance, offering services like a coat check, visitor information, guided tours, nursery, first aid station and the inevitable gift shop, as well as some new works of art.

More than 4 million people visit each year.

Sistine Chapel, where the Pope is elected and home to Michelangelo’s famed fresco ceiling.

The Sistine Chapel was built, and the decoration of the walls complete, by 1483. But it was Michelangelo's ceiling frescos, painted a quarter century later, that brought true immortality.

Commissioned by the Pope in 1508 to decorate the chapel, Michelangelo used a  network of scaffolding to reach the high vaulted ceilings. He divided the ceiling into nine panels, each showing a scene from Genesis. Contrary to legend, although he did do much of the work himself, Michelangelo also had assistants to help with the paintings.

Scholarly evidence suggests, too, that he painted mostly while standing. Nevertheless, it was an arduous task, and remains a compelling story.

The Chapel Ceiling has been cleaned, and the frescos restored to their original brilliance.

The historic center of Naples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the historic Piazza Municipio – City Hall Square – dates back to the Angevins, the Town Hall, Palazzo San Giacomo, was built in the early 19th century.

It was an example of advanced architectural technology at the time, with a glass passageway connecting the square in front with via Toledo in the rear. In the center of the Piazza del Municipio gardens stands a 19th century equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II.

This famed Florence museum is as much a work of art as the many masterpieces it contains.

The elegant proportions of its architecture and its painted ceilings are just the treasures inside. The Uffizi Gallery is enormous and houses one of the most important collections of art of all time. It was originally built to provide more office space – uffizi –  for government administrators, since the Palazzo Vecchio could not hold them all.

Over the years, parts of the palace evolved into exhibition space for artworks commissioned by the Medici family. The art treasures remained in Florence courtesy of the last Medici heiress, and the gallery was open to visitors by request starting in the 16th century. In the 18th century it was officially opened to the public. Famous works here include The Birth of Venus by Botticelli and Caravaggio’s Bacchus.

The Uffizi’s collections are so large that many pieces are now housed in other Florence museums.

The Vatican Museums, Musei Vaticani in Italian, are a series of art museums in the Vatican City, housing over 9 miles of the most extensive collection of art in the world, and are open to the public.

The museums originated with Pope Julius II in the 16th century, with a small number of sculptures. The Popes were among the first to open their art collections to the public to encourage cultural interest, and the number of museums and collections has grown over the centuries.

There are now at least 24 museums and collections housed in the Vatican, including a number of masterpieces by Caravaggio, da Vinci, Giotto, Raphael, Poussin,Titian and, of course, Michelangelo’s heroic Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes.

Since early 2000, there is a new welcome visitors entrance, offering services like a coat check, visitor information, guided tours, nursery, first aid station and the inevitable gift shop, as well as some new works of art.

More than 4 million people visit each year.

Located about half a mile outside Pompeii, this villa survived the eruption of Vesuvius quite well. While it, too, was buried under feet of ash, its walls, ceilings, and notably, its frescoes, were largely undamaged.

The Villa dei Misteri is best known for one room – covered with vivid and strange frescoes. The subject of the frescoes is open to interpretation. Some say the images depict initiation scenes of cult of Dionysus; others believe they show a young woman undergoing the rites of marriage.

See also: The Ruined City of Pompei

The name Villa Olmo comes from a magnificent elm that no longer stands; it is a beautiful 18th century neoclassical villa on Lake Como.

In 1924, ownership of the Villa passed from the Visconti di Modrone to the City of Como, and the building is now host to the Alessandro Volta Center of Scientific Culture, which has changing exhibitions on the life and work of Alesandro Volta.

Officially known as Il Vittoriano, locals derisively refer to it as the Wedding Cake or the Typewriter.

Designed in 1895 and completed in 1935, it is a monument to King Victor Emanuele, the unifier of Italy. Despite its ancient heritage, Italy is a young country and was first unified in 1870. The flame in the center with the military guard marks Italy's tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The building was reopened to the public in 2000, following a $4.5 million, 3-year restoration.