10. Tepotzotlan
An excerpt from Central Italy Part 2:
... In this church, you'll see a marble slab which is said to contain the footprints of Jesus himself. There's definitely a Hollywood Walk of Fame vibe going on here but Jesus was basically the world's first celebrity so it all makes sense.
Click here for more things to do near Church of Domine Quo Vadi.
9. Malinalco
An excerpt from Central Italy Part 2:
You're probably asking why we would send you to such a crummy-looking old church, when Rome has some of the most beautiful churches in the world... this church has been around since the 5th century... Be sure to check out the doors, nave, and the sole-surviving mosaic, all originals from that time.
Click here for more things to do near Santa Sabina All'Aventino.
8. Huasca de ocampo
An excerpt from Central Italy Part 1:
... In Rome, you'll see many beautiful domes but none quite like this one. It looks normal as you approach, but stand directly under it and you'll realize that it isn't even a dome at all. It's an optical illusion painted because the builders lacked the funds to build a real dome.
Click here for more things to do near Chiesa di Sant Ignazio.
7. valle de bravo
An excerpt from Central Italy Part 1:
... if your legs haven't fallen off yet and you're willing to climb a hundred stairs, you'll find an impressive interior with tons of chandeliers along the flanks and before the altar, plus the famous frescoes of Pinturicchio.
Click here for more things to do near Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli.
6. taxco
An excerpt from Central Italy - Part 1:
... There are a couple things that are unique about this basilica. St. Paul is buried here, only two miles from where he was martyred... Finally, notice the portraits of the popes above you. There are only a few spots remaining, leading some to believe that when all the spots are filled, the world will end...
Click here for more things to do near St. Paul Outside the Walls.
5. tepoztlan
An excerpt from Central Italy Part 1:
...Yes, the Pantheon is touristy, but for good reason. It remains one of the best-preserved buildings from ancient Rome and it's dome is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, a feat that remains even nearly 2,000 years later...
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4. jalpan de serra
An excerpt from Central Italy Part 1:
Cool Pope: "...got some expensive art down in here. Michelangelo's Pieta to the right of the entrance. There's Bernini's baldachin over the altar upfront. Statue of St. Peter to the right of the altar. You can also check out the Grottoes from here. All the popes that got capped, they buried down in there. I'd take you down there myself, but it gives me the creeps."
Click here for more things to do near St. Peter's Basilica.
3. cuernavaca
An excerpt from Central Italy Part 1:
Cool Pope: "...got some expensive art down in here. Michelangelo's Pieta to the right of the entrance. There's Bernini's baldachin over the altar upfront. Statue of St. Peter to the right of the altar. You can also check out the Grottoes from here. All the popes that got capped, they buried down in there. I'd take you down there myself, but it gives me the creeps."
Click here for more things to do near St. Peter's Basilica.
2. san miguel de allende
An excerpt from Central Italy Part 1:
Cool Pope: "...got some expensive art down in here. Michelangelo's Pieta to the right of the entrance. There's Bernini's baldachin over the altar upfront. Statue of St. Peter to the right of the altar. You can also check out the Grottoes from here. All the popes that got capped, they buried down in there. I'd take you down there myself, but it gives me the creeps."
Click here for more things to do near St. Peter's Basilica.
1. tequisquiapan
An excerpt from Central Italy Part 1:
Cool Pope: "...got some expensive art down in here. Michelangelo's Pieta to the right of the entrance. There's Bernini's baldachin over the altar upfront. Statue of St. Peter to the right of the altar. You can also check out the Grottoes from here. All the popes that got capped, they buried down in there. I'd take you down there myself, but it gives me the creeps."
Click here for more things to do near St. Peter's Basilica.