Those who went on pilgrimage tours to Italy will be able to see the most revered common Christian shrines (in the churches of Italian cities, the relics of the apostles Thomas, Paul, Matthew, Andrew and Mark are carefully preserved). It is worth noting that those who decide to visit the temple built in honor of this or that saint will be able to hear from the guide a story about his life and martyrdom.
Full-fledged pilgrimage tours allow you to see the shrines of many Italian cities, so on average such a trip will take at least a week. But if you wish, you can adjust the route and visit the shrines of several or one city.
Bari
Orthodox believers often make a choice in favor of the tour “To St. Nicholas the Wonderworker”, the program of which involves participation in the service in front of the relics of St. Nicholas in the Basilica of St. Nicholas (a holiday in his honor is celebrated on December 6). Here you will also be able to see the marble tomb of Bona Sforza and visit the museum with precious objects of art exhibited in it.
Venice
The classic pilgrimage program includes a visit to the Cathedral of San Marco. Here pilgrims will see statues of saints, the Golden Altar, mosaic icons with scenes from the life of Saint Mark, pray at his relics, and attend divine services.
Ravenna
Here for pilgrims the Basilica of San Vitale is of interest. Its main attractions are stunning mosaics and early Christian tombs (located in galleries; of which the tomb of Exarch Isaac of the 5th century with decoration in the form of relief carvings based on themes from the Old Testament stands out).
Rome
Traveling around Rome on a pilgrimage tour involves visiting the following holy places:
- Church of Santa Croce in Jerusalemme: here you can see the frescoes by Melozzo da Forlì, the remains of the Life-giving Cross and the relics of Antonietta Meo.
- Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano: More than 20 Roman pontiffs are buried here, under the floor of the cathedral. In the basilica, you will be able to see an ancient restored mosaic panel (it depicts the Savior). Important: from the northern portal, the Pope blesses all believers every year on Holy Week Thursday.
- Church of San Giorgio in Velabro: it is dedicated to Saint George, so here you can see his relics in the form of a chapter and a sword.
In Rome, believing Christians will be able on their knees to overcome more than 20 steps of the Holy Staircase (according to legend, it was on it that Jesus Christ climbed to the house of Pontius Pilate), while reading prayers (in some places of the stairs, where traces of Christ's blood remained, small glazed windows are mounted) …
Vatican
In the Vatican, pilgrims will visit St. Peter's Basilica - here they will see an altar with a hole that leads to the underground tomb of the Apostle Peter, set up Mass, view the panorama of the Eternal City from the top of the dome, and receive the pontiff's blessing.
