Italy, the Belpaese or 'beautiful country', is an amazing open-air museum. A substantial percentage of the world's cultural treasures are gathered here. That's why the famous monuments in Italy are among the most important and we suggest the top ten that you absolutely must see at least once in your life.
It's impossible to make a complete list, so we've chosen some of the historical monuments that make Italy a popular tourist destination for travellers from all over the world.
1. The Colosseum - Rome
The Colosseo has a place of respect among the famous monuments in the world and is the most visited in Italy. It was built in the first century BC and still continues to be one of the greatest symbols of the power of the Roman Empire. Its interior, huge and imposing, really revives what were once the glories of the most important empire in history.
2. Trevi Fountain - Rome
La Fontana di Trevi, designed in 1732 by Nicola Salvi, is one of the most beautiful fountains in the world. Salvi's spectacular and surprising design still retains its unaltered charm and has been the scene of numerous films, from Fellini's 'La Dolce Vita' and 'Roman Holiday' with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck to the Italian classic 'Totòtruffa 62', where the Neapolitan comedian managed to sell it to a wealthy and naive American tourist.
3. Ponte Vecchio - Florence
Ponte Vecchio (“The old bridge” in Italian) is the oldest bridge in Florence and was the only bridge across the Arno River until 1218. The most important characteristics of this bridge are that it doesn't seem like a traditional bridge and is noted for still having artisan shops all along its length, plus a secret 16th century passageway belonging to the Medici. The Ponte Vecchio shops all overlook the central passage, each with a single window closed by thick wooden doors.
4. The Leaning Tower - Pisa
The Torre di Pisa is a true symbol and icon of Italy. Impressive, curious and visited by millions of tourists each year, there is no more iconic picture than the one that thousands of people have posing as if they were holding it up. But what you probably didn't know is that the entire Piazza dei Miracoli that surrounds the Leaning Tower of Pisa is just as splendid.
5. Duomo - Milan
The Duomo di Milano, the imposing gothic cathedral of Milan, made of white-pink marble from the Candoglia quarries, is able to accommodate 40,000 people. In the splendid setting of the square that bears its name, you can admire the golden statue of the Madonnina, which is on the highest spire.
6. Basilica San Marco - Venice
The Basilica di San Marco is undoubtedly one of the most important Italian monuments that simply cannot be missed. It lies at the end of Piazza San Marco, connected to the Palazzo del Doge. This monument is also famous because it is surrounded by the charm that emanates from Venice, a city in the sea. Going to visit it aboard a gondola is a truly unique experience.
7. Cathedral of Monreale - Palermo
The Duomo di Monreale is one of the most important tourist attractions in Sicily. This monumental work, which included the Basilica, the royal palace and a Benedictine abbey, was commissioned by William II, king of the Norman dynasty of Sicily and since 2015 it's been a UNESCO Heritage site. The Cathedral of Monreale is the fourth most visited architectural historic site on the island, the first in the province of Palermo.
8. Arena - Verona
The Arena, the Roman amphitheater, is undoubtedly the most representative and well-known monument in the city of Verona. It was built at the end of the first century BC to host the gladiatorial fights that were in vogue in ancient Rome. This monument, however, is so well preserved that it is still used for concerts, music and visitors from all over the world come to Verona to admire the opera season. Thanks to its architectural peculiarities, the acoustics of the Arena are such that during the concerts no amplification is used either for the musicians or the singers.
9. Castel dell'Ovo - Naples
Castel dell'Ovo is the oldest fortress in Naples and stands on an islet, known since ancient times by the name of "Megaris", located in front of the small port of Santa Lucia. From as early as the twelfth century, there were pre-Norman fortifications, erected on the remains of part of the villa of the Roman general Lucio Licinio Lucullo, then transformed into a castle by Frederick II and expanded in the Angevin age, when the fortress took the name of "Castel dell'Ovo".
10. Castel del Monte - Andria
Castel del Monte, place of mysteries and magic, is a 13th century fortress built by the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Frederick II and it was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996. In the structures of Castel del Monte, with its perfect geometric design that recalls an intricate labyrinth, the three impressions left by the emperor can still be found.
So to help you customise your holiday itinerary, check out this list, which contains the most beautiful and famous monuments in Italy!