The most interesting historical places to visit in Italy
Italy is immersed in history and culture, with cities and towns throughout full of ancient architecture and archaeological parks. Italy has such as rich past and wherever you go there are, of course, reminders of its incredible history for you to see, take pictures of and enjoy. We have put together a collection of some of the most interesting historical places you can visit on your next holiday with us.
Palazzo Vecchio – Florence
Palazzo Vecchio in Florence is an iconic fourteenth century palace and is the main symbol of civil power for the city of Florence. Construction on the solid fortress began in 1299 above the ruins of the destroyed Uberti Ghibelline towers, testimony of the final victory of the Guelph factio. Completed in 1322, it served as the seat of the city’s governing body, a function it still fulfils today. Housing a stunning collection of artwork and sculptures by some of Italy’s most celebrated artists such as Donatello, Bronzino and Michelangelo, it's a fascinating and beautiful site.
One of the most stunning parts of this palace is the Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Hundred). It was built from 1494, during the Republic of Fra’ Girolamo Savonarola. The Hall is the largest and most important room in terms of artistic and historical value inside the palace. Panelled ceilings and large wall frescoes, golden decorations and imposing sculptures will leave you admiring in marvel.
Piazza San Marco – Venice
Piazza San Marco is the city’s main public square and is more commonly known as St Mark’s Square. It contains some of the most famous buildings - St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge's Palace. St Mark’s square is renowned for flooding as it at the lowest point in Venice, when it floods (which can be several times a year!) the authorities pace little wooden footbridges along the tourist routes.
At the heart of Venice, this grand ninth century showpiece beautifully encapsulates Venice’s past and its tourist-fuelled present. It’s the perfect place to grab a coffee and enjoy such a historical location!
Arzachena - Northern Sardinia
Arzachena is a town in the province of Olbia-Tempio, in northern Sardinia. Arzachena lies half-way between the original Costa Smeralda resort and Porto Rafael, both of which were founded in the late 1950s. Nearby there are several archaeological sites from the Nuragic period, including those from a local sub-culture, known as Arzachena culture.
Get ready to retrace 6,000 years of history at Arzachena’s archaeological park with its 8 enchanting sites, visit the Templet of Malchittu, from the Nuragic Village of La Prisgiona and its 100 huts (80 of which not brought to light yet) or explore the Giants’ Tombs where, according to the popular belief, giants’ bodies were buried!
Tempio di Segesta- Sicily
This unfinished fifth-century Doric temple has everything but a roof and an interior! Greek Colonists started to build this impressive temple in the year 430 BC and is seems unaffected by time – but we’ll let you be the judge! It features 36 Doric columns, and offers a visit to a small theatre at the top of a nearby hill. You’ll enjoy a stunning view of green hills and the deep blue hues of the sea below. It’s simply wonderful!
The Colosseum – Rome
The Colosseum is a site like no other and is one of the seven wonders of the modern world. This stunning piece of ancient architecture represents the sheer power and magnificence of the Roman Empire and is the main symbol of Rome.
It is an imposing construction that, with almost 2,000 years of history, will bring you back in time to discover the way of life in the Roman Empire and those who had the misfortune of fighting there. The construction of the Colosseum began in the year 72 under the empire of Vespasian and was finished in the year 80 during the rule of the emperor Titus. After completion, the Colosseum became the greatest Roman amphitheatre!
Tour the underground hallways and corridors where the gladiators of ancient Rome would prepare to fight and ponder their mortality. There is a museum within the Colosseum full of interesting artifacts and information. The Colosseum is popular attraction, with over 6 million tourists visiting it each year and you simply have to be one of them!
The Leaning Tower of Pisa - Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the world’s most famous buildings, particularly due to its leaning stance which leaves it forever appearing to be toppling over!
With 207 columns ranged around eight stories and constructed of white marble, the Tower of Pisa looks like a massive wedding cake knocked over precariously. The construction of Tower of Pisa began in 1173 and continued for about 200 years due to the onset of a series of wars. Till today, the name of the architect is a mystery.
The bottom story consists of 15 marble arches. Each of the next six stories contains 30 arches that surround the tower. The final story is the bell chamber itself, which has 16 arches. Prepare yourself for a long walk, with a 297-step spiral staircase inside the tower leading to the top where you’ll be greeted with the most unbelievable view!
Pompei - Pompei
Pompeii was an ancient Roman city famously destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Today, Pompeii is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the word. Mount Vesuvius not only erupted and spewed enough lava so as to instantaneously cover the city – which also meant that its buildings (down to the decorations and ornamentation!) and its people were immediately fossilized as if they had been placed in a sort of time capsule, remaining intact.
Walking through Pompeii is treading in the footsteps of ancient Roman life, with its houses, shops, walkways, pedestrian stones and carriage tracks – what an unforgettable experience!
Paestum – Naples
Located in the South-East of the Gulf of Salerno, in the Southern part of the Piana del Sele, Paestum is an archaeological site of extreme importance, recognised by UNESCO as part of the World Cultural Heritage. Founded by the Greeks around the seventh century BC with the name of Poseidon, the city was later occupied by Lucanians until 273 BC, when Rome made Poseidon a thriving colony, giving it its current name.
Visitors to Paestum can still see the spectacular temples – the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Neptune and the Temple of Ceres. The site also contains impressive defensive walls, a Roman forum, the basic remains of a Roman amphitheatre and a number of ancient tombs.
