Religion in Italy

For two decades in the 13th century, the papacy operated from this palace in central Italy, which served as the site of the first—and longest—papal election conclave in history.

An elegant church is home to a remarkably detailed mosaic floor depicting the Garden of Eden.

Angels and demons watch over newspapers in this deconsecrated church.

A 14th-century abbey founded by a forest-loving order of monks now sits in the center of a pristine nature preserve.

A gorgeous example of 13th-century Gothic architecture.

Jesus turns into vines inside this chapel.

The walls of this tiny Italian church are entirely covered with frescoes.

An unremarkable wooden wheel built into the side of one of Rome's oldest hospitals was part of a policy to reduce infant exposure.

This small hermitage is located along an ancient route that connected the Tiber and Rieti valleys.

This small hermitage on Mount Scalambra was built near what some believe is the miraculous imprint of Saint Benedict's hand.

The skull of this patron saint is kept in a shrine located in his hometown.

The 16th-century son of Sienese nobility carved this hermitage out of volcanic rock.

A holy stone inside this spectacular hermitage is said to have healing properties.

This hermitage celebrates the legend of Emperor Constantine's healing from leprosy.

Richard Luke Concanen never set foot on American soil.

This grisly effigy displays an early Christian martyr who was skinned alive and beheaded.