#30 Spectacular Churches To See When In Italy
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11. Otranto Cathedral, Salento
Many churches in Italy have amazing floor mosaics but this one, dating back to 1068, is particularly worth seeing, due to its incredible montage of imagery, ranging from Catholic to pagan. You’ll see Old Testament figures, medieval legend, Greek mythology and fantastical beasts – all of which are still visible, despite the fact that the church received some rather rough treatment in the 15th century when it was used to stable the horses of Ottoman invaders. The skulls of Catholic martyrs who refused to convert to Islam can be seen at the back of the chapel.
12. The Tree Cathedral, Bergamo
At the foot of the mountains, this astonishing tribute to the relationship between love, art, nature and religion was devised by Italian artist Giuliano Mauri, who died before its initiation in 2010. Its frame is made of 42 fir-tree trunk columns, with support structures formed of chestnut and hazlenut branches. As time goes on, these will rot away, effecting a seamless flow from a manmade to a completely natural cathedral structure.