A majestic setting to cross paths with the faithful. Yelper Leif perfectly describes all it…read moreentails. I agree architecturally, the tower is a nice touch, a visual treat, and certainly less common around many of the country's great cathedrals.

While visiting old Pompei it is worth spending some time in new Pompei. Here we find Basilica del…read moreSanto Rosario. To some surprise this is not a very old building. Those churches often are. No, this one was built in late 19th Century. But style and expression follow the traditional pattern, but in one way it is modernized, when it comes to the technic used to decorate the inside. No description here but the inside is richly painted and quite impressing. Basilica del Santo Rosario is big and the whole complex really breathtaking. Not at least the tower in front of the entrance where you can take the lift and have a fantastic view of the whole Pompei Valley with Mount Vesuvius the Vulcano and the Golf of Naples.

Situated close to water level in a central part of Positano, in Piazza Flavio Gioia, this church is…read morean easily recognizable landmark with it's colorful gold and teal majorlica-tiled dome visible from the east, and it's clean, rectangular facade. Founded as a Benedictine abbey dedicated to Saint Vitus around the 10th century, even then, it was built over a former Roman villa previously established in the 8th century, (now excavated and able to be visited via guided tours). Known for its Black Madonna and Child, a Byzantine iconographic painting above the main altar, this arrived in the 12th century supposedly under curious circumstances. Story goes that enroute from Constantinople, smuggled on a pirate ship, the ship experienced a lull in wind and current close to Positano, where the sailors heard a voice calling "Posa, posa!" ("Put me down, put me down!") so the icon was brought to shore and placed in a church. The next morning the icon was found outside on the ground, wrapped in a bush, and locals were mystified, taking this as a sign to build a church on that site and dedicate it to the Virgin Mary as their new patron saint. The free-standing bell tower was built later in 1707. On a sunny day the cool interior provided a welcome shelter for a short while from the sun. The interior reads a blend of Baroque and Neoclassical, with last major renovation affecting the building layout in the late 18th century. White walls with gold trim, along with arched windows set into the ceiling and bringing in sunlight, give the interior an elegant, warm feel. It's also popular for weddings in this region, so on a weekend you might run into a wedding being held here. For more info: https://www.travelamalficoast.it/en/the-church-of-santa-maria-assunta-in-positano-amalfi-coast https://chiesapositano.it/en/church-of-s-maria-assunta/

You must have seen its dome in the foreground of Positano landscapes. The church's colorful…read moremajolica tiled dome is one of the town's iconic symbols, its pattern of yellow, green and blue tiles shining against the blue sky and the Mediterranean Sea. Famous for its fashion design and nearly vertical setting with colorful villas stacked one on top of another up the cliff side, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is an important part of Positano's cultural, religious and architectural landscape. The church is one of the town's most prominent and photographed sights, as it is located right in the center of Positano just a few steps from the Marina Grande beach. Walking along the beach or through the narrow staircases lined with boutiques, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is always at the center of attention. Most of the staircases leading up from the Marina Grande Beach pass behind or through the small piazza in front of the church. From there you can enjoy the view of the façade of the church and the 18th-century bell tower.

Hemming in the western edge of Piazza del Plebiscito, this basilica is reminiscent of the Pantheon…read morein Rome with its focal dome, and colonnaded portico arms branching north and south. Commissioned by Joachim Murat (Napoleon's BIL) in 1816 as a tribute to Naps himself, it was Bourbon King Ferdinand I who took credit for completing the construction under his rule when the the French government was ousted and rule reverted to the Neapolitan and Sicilian houses, hence the equestrian statues erected in the square directly in front of this basilica. A little tricky to find the opening hours as the building info on G-maps is confusingly vague, it lists several businesses including a handful if BnBs within the same location, and from the number of reviews it doesn't seem like a much trafficked site (or maybe intentionally so for local safeguards). Either way, from the pictures online the dome is sizeable, there are a couple side chapels though not much extra to gaze upon. In the evening the exterior is lit with color lights and adds a chill ambiance to the piazza. Many local kids riding bikes, some families and friends taking a walk. With free entry, if I was in the area again during the daytime would definitely peek in to check it out!

Located in Piazza del Plebiscito, the main square of Napoli, San Francesco di Paola contains a…read morenumber of statues and chapels while its shape and grandeur harkens Rome's Pantheon. Good for a quick visit.

Known for its tiled cloister garden, it's actually two monasteries, one for Franciscans monks and…read moreone for Clarisses (nuns). This monastery originated in 1310 and was constructed between 1313-1340, commissioned by Queen Sancia of Majorca and her husband Robert of Anjou (who inherited the throne, and later became King of Naples), and was where both were eventually interred. Since Sancia's brother Phillip of Majorca had joined the Franciscan order, he petitioned to have Santa Chiara built, though he wasn't alive for much longer after it was completed. The Gothic complex underwent major renovation in 1742-62 transforming the interior with Baroque style frescos in the church nave and along the portico arcade walkways surrounding the cloister garden. Additions of the colorful majolica tiled pillars and benches were added then; floral designs adorn the octagonal pillars, and the paintings on the benches depict landscape and scenes from the 18th century. The main church facade sits opposite the Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo (see my separate review), though the visitor entrance is around the side. This is where you can purchase tickets €7 general admission or €5 for students and seniors. They do not participate in city/museum passes. For the size of the complex, there's a fair amount to check out, aside from the cloister garden (of which part was under restoration April 2026), there's a museum detailing the history of the building, with sacred artworks and requilaries, ruins of a Roman bathhouse that's excavated next to/under the church, a one-room gallery of local contemporary religious artworks, an 18th century nativity scene (this tradition is very strong in southern Italy!), a small library and quite a large gift shop. For some reason I didn't go into the church nave itself, I'm not sure if it was open at the time? What was terrific was the accessibility of the descriptions for items on display, many had English translations. There was also a free audio guide available via QR code though you have to use your cell phone. This can be a bit challenging on battery life so I didn't scan it, found the printed placards to be plenty. I spent about 45 minutes inside. For more info: https://www.monasterodisantachiara.it/en/

I had an unfortunate experience there. My daughter was posing for me to take her picture in the…read moregardens and without thinking sat on a bench. A worker only needed to say "Please, don't sit on the benches. Thank you." Instead this lady began a tirade, telling us to have some respect, insulting us and going on and on. So rude and just awful, she was.

Smaller church, one of a several in the historical center district in Sorrento. This one often…read moreserves as an exhibition space for art and performances. As recently as a few months ago there was an exhibition of a local artisan, one of the last masters of inlaid wood panel artwork in the region. On a weekday evening the church was open around 6:30pm, though looked to be closing soon. It looked like they had started putting away the pieces for the day, so although I didn't personally get to see all the pieces, the few I did see were beautiful and it felt like an apt historic setting to show the deft craftsmanship of this type of unfortunately dying art form. The central nave is on the smaller side, painted yellow and decorated with white and gold Baroque style figurines and trims. Notable blue, yellow and green leaf patterns on the floor stand out. No entry fee though donations are accepted. At that time of day there were no other visitors so the ambiance inside was calm and quiet.

This simple petite stone church sits in the Piazza dei Mulini along Viale Pasitea in the center of…read morePositano. A cross stands directly along its front facade. Founded in 1614 as a Dominican monastery, it was shuttered in 1652 by Pope Clement X due to an insufficient number of friars and the building's lack of maintenance. The church was subsequently converted into a courthouse, then reverted back to religious use. The church was closed following the collapse of the sacristy during an earthquake in 1980, then finally reopened in 2006 and continues to be use today, celebrating the Madonna of the Rosary. On a weekday they were closed midday though hours posted showed that they would return later in the afternoon. The main entry archway is made of tuff (yellow volcanic rock) with a single stained glass window depicting the Annunciation above it. Through the clear glass window you could see the white, barrel vaulted ceiling and front altar. I confess my time here was brief, I really only used the shade of the front entry to hide from the sun while I ate my sorbetto from across the street. Seemed like a quiet spot and I'm glad it was locked and set aside as a tranquil place for intimate reflection and not a tourist destination. For more info: https://chiesapositano.it/en/church-of-s-maria-assunta/the-parish/

Neapolis is the city beneath San Lorenzo Maggiore - well, part of it. Amazing to know you've walked…read morewhere centuries of lifestyles had lived the way they did. People didn't mention this underground tour to me before. It's different from the other one. I still suggest you visit this one also. Look for LA NEAPOLIS SOTTERRATA. There are tours in English available. There's a museum in one branch of the structure. Then you're allowed inside the complesso where a courtyard invites you to several spaces. There's a chapel-like room, a meeting hall type of area with ceiling art. Worth the neck ache! I happened upon this tour only because I went inside the church. Then I saw the sign for tours which was about perfect timing. You get to see inside the church which is free. The tour is paid, but make sure to check their free offers on the first Sunday of the month!

Completed in 1324, Basilica San Domenico Maggiore resides near "Spaccanapoli" in the historic…read morecenter of Naples, and containing both an older church plus a monastery nicely represents the Gothic style with well preserved works of art and tremendous detailing throughout its fairly small interior.