We can't even count the number of churches we've visited across Europe over the past five decades,…read morebut they certainly number in the thousands. Offering religious inspiration, historic relevance, and sophisticated architecture, the greatest houses of worship are essentially free museums! Known locally as La Consolata and Italian for Sanctuary of the Consoled, this must be one of the 20 most stunning churches we've ever visited on the European continent. It was even better that the cathedral seemed a bit of a hidden gem, as few visitors were present at the height of tourist season. While the original structure was rebuilt in the 1600s, the bell tower dates to around AD 930. The rather basic exterior belies a jaw-dropping interior! Priceless paintings and gorgeous baroque architecture will leave you speechless, so much so that pictures simply do not do this facility justice.

This beautiful church was designed by both the amazing architect Guarini and his successor Juvarri…read morein a combination of high Baroque and Italian Roccoco. It is absolutely splendid - so over the top and yet so perfect. One thing visitors might want to note is that mass is said almost continually so it is a bit hard to photograph the main altar without disrupting a mass. The church also has a medieval style bell tower and next to it is the foundation of one of the corner turrets of the old Roman fort which later became Turin. Much more beautiful than the portion of the cathedral which is currently open.

Almost too hard to miss when beginning your street hiking in Brunate…read more 14th century build ~ unbelievable how this was constructed so long ago atop of the mountain. The sanctuary design still has you feel awe & peace when taking a moment of pause. An amazing presence for the neighborhood.

Superga was breathtaking. It was a clear day and the location at the top of the mountain with the…read moreviews of the alps was outstanding. The inside of the baroque Basilica was so overwhelmingly beautiful. These pics don't do it justice. There is a neat history to the background of the church. During the besiegement of Turin in 1706 by Franco-Spanish forces, Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy knelt and prayed. He swore to God that if a victory was achieved he would have a church built for our Lady (the Virgin Mary) on the highest hill/mountain in the city. Victory was achieved by the Piedmontese army. The duke became King and kept his promise. It was free to see the inside of the Basilica. There's a small chapel inside the Basilica and no photos are allowed inside that chapel. There was a guided tour available for a fee. Lots of tourist, families, and couples around the property. Great spot to take in gorgeous architecture and an epic view of Torino. There is a memorial for the Superga air disaster behind the building. In 1949 a plan crashed carrying the Torino football team.

Located at the top of Superga, this baroque Basilica, built in the 1700's, sits 672 meters above…read moresea level over looking the city of Torino. Tours of the Savoy residence are offered in Italian only, but guides are offered for sale at €0,20 in many languages at the ticket counter. Also for sale at €3/person are tickets to climb to the top of the cupola. Accessed from inside the Basilica, via a windy, stone staircase, it is well worth the views and at €3, a bargain! The parking area is small, but if you wait patiently, someone will move and you can park. We saw a few people playing games in the piazza area, or picnicking on the grassy slope beside the church. Walk around the back of the church, to view the memorial to 18 players of the Grande Torino football team, who died when their plane crashed into the hillside in 1949. There is also a steep walking trail into the woods on the left hand side of the basilica. A restaurant is also located on this side as well as the ticket office. This could be a quick stop to see the inside of the Basilica, or take a few more minutes and climb to the Cupola for the amazing views. Add more time to tour the residence and have some refreshments at the restaurant if your schedule allows. You could even spend the day soaking up the sun on the grass and enjoy a picnic. Whether a quick stop or a full day, it's a nice stop with some stunning views.

The Duomo is Milan's most beautiful church by exterior, but he has a competitor for the most…read morebeautiful church by interior: San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, a former nunnery! Behind a virtually nonexistence facade, San Maurizio hides perhaps one of the most ornate church interiors and can actually compete with the famous Sistine Chapel. From the moment you step in the door - assuming you finally find the right door - you will be awed by the incredibly colorful paintings that surround you! Despite being in a small room, the vast amount of the beautiful paintings can spell-bind you for a while. Additionally, for the first time in history, you as a public member can finally pass through the partition wall into the previously restricted nunnery hall! Like the public worship hall across the wall, the nunnery hall is also filled with paintings. However, while the worship hall paintings are intended to awe the public the divine grace with vibrant colors, the nunnery hall paintings intend to invoke piety with serenely-colored examples of female saints. You can admire for a few minutes or examine for hours, but this church is certainly a sight that you should not miss! Did I miss it's free to enter? --- tl;dr version: 1) Perhaps Milan's most beautiful interior 2) Small spaces that are filled with marvelous paintings 3) Free sight that should not be missed

This is one of the most beautiful churches I have seen in Italy…read more Considered the "Sistine Chapel" of Milano, San Maurizio is overwhelmingly blessed with walls and ceilings decorated by one of the masters of frescoes Bernardino Luini and his sons. Entering through the doorway of the Archeological Museum, you walk to the left to the entrance. Once inside, your eyes are mesmerized by the frescoes of men and women dressed in flowing robes as appropriate in the mid-1500s. There is a huge organ on the second floor looming over wooden choir seats. The frescoes are on a wall separating the church where the general masses sit and the hidden portion of the church where nuns par tipster in the service. The towards the back are frescoes from passages of the Bible such as Noah's Ark, the passion of Christ, etc. The volume of art was spectacular. Having just been restored the color are so freshr-looking you could be looking at the scenes as they would have appeared when the Master artists finished their work. Entrance is free but please do tmake a donation to support this incredible treasure.

This church is the example of the Roman-Lombard art, built almost a thousand of years ago by the…read moreMasters of Como, with a polychrome wooden sculpture of the Buried Christ of the Spanish-Baroque school. It has sort of stylish vibe and would be interesting to check out, and I enjoyed exploring this church during the visit at Bellagio.

Gayle and I paid a respectful visit here during our recent walking tour of Bellagio. This Church is…read morea fine example of 12th Century Roman-Lombard art and was built between 1075 and 1125 by the Masters of Como. The inside mosaics are most impressive to behold.

Of all the magnificent churches in Switzerland, the gothic St. Vincent in Montreux will not likely…read moremake the top of anyone's list, but if you love history, architecture, and picturesque views, and you happen to find yourself in this wonderful town, it's definitely worth a visit. We had just enjoyed breakfast at the nearby and charming Tea Room de la Baye (just outside the Le Pont bus stop in Old Town via Bus 206), so it was a quick walk over to this ancient medieval church rebuilt in its current form in the early sixteenth century. It was a brief climb up a single flight of stairs near the Hotel Tralala and a gentle incline up Rue de Temple from there. During the restoration of the present church building in the early 1970s, the foundations of three different church buildings were discovered via excavations, the first from the 8th century AD, the second from 1200, and then the modern structure from the 1400s to its completion in 1524. Visitors may first want to pass the entrance and go around back to the beautiful terrace with its spectacular views of Lake Geneva and a glimpse of Chateau Chillon down the eastern coast. There are a few benches for resting and contemplation if you wish. When you're done, come back to the entrance doors which are facing Old Town, close to the street. Churches in Switzerland bear the story of the Protestant Reformation, and St. Vincent (named after the patron of winemakers) is no different. The vaulted interior comes off as very plain compared to other Swiss cathedrals, but of course, the original decor may have been more ornate until the 1536 invasion of the Protestant Bernese (who ruled the canton of Vaud until 1798's liberation by Napoleon). The invading reformers made a point to remove or deface all iconography in the formerly Catholic structures and many elaborate works of religious art were destroyed throughout the country during this time. The church today remains a parish of the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Vaud. The stained glass windows are modern from 1973 and signed by the Vaud artist, Jean Prahin. All are abstract except the panel of St. Vincent himself in the back right wall of the nave, the only representation of the human form you'll see inside. The current organ is a 2009 Metzler with 24 registers, 2 keyboards, and 1532 pipes, which was installed to replace a faulty Ziegler instrument from 1953. We were thrilled to be present when the organist (Martine Reymond) happened to drop in at midday on Monday to practice for an upcoming performance. We were the only other souls present and we were awed at this private performance. Find information about upcoming concerts at www.concerts-st-vincent.ch and other church information at http://montreux.eerv.ch/. Learn about the organ at http://www.metzler-orgelbau.ch/htm/organs/montreux-r.htm and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-W858RcksE.

Of the three churches in Morcote, this one is my favourite. The building is pierced by one of the…read morestreets connecting downtown with the residential quarters, and you need to go up only around 100 steps (25% of what you need to reach Santa Maria del Sasso, further up). Just take the Strecia di Sant Antoni or the Scarinada Giacomo Rossi, both easily found, and follow them until you stumble with the Volton. You cannot enter the church itself, but just contemplate the wonderful frescoes from the outside. The street allows you to sit down protected from the elements. Ideal place to meditate!

To get a good perspective of just how large Torino is, go to the top of the Mole Antonelliana…read more With 360 degree views, you can get a great perspective of the expanse of Torino . A must do for fans of the city.

Beautiful building housing the Museo del Cinema. A must see…read morewhile in Torino.