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The cathedral, named in honor of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo, is one of the most remarkable symbols of the city of Florence. The vast Gothic structure was built on the site of the 7th century church of Santa Reparata, the remains of which can be seen in the crypt. The magnificent dome was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and the more recent multicolor façade was completed in 1887 in the neo-Gothic style.

According to a legend, the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo originated in the year 1099 on the site of emperor Nero’s tomb. Pope Paschal II, following an apparition of the Madonna who in a dream asked him to build a temple in his honour, built the first church, dedicated to Madonna of the people.

The church of Santa Maria dell'Anima, founded in the 14th century, was the church of the Holy Roman Empire in Rome and is today the national church of the German-speaking world. The oldest mention of the church dates back to 1389. In the 15th century, Santa Maria dell'Anima became a hospital for all inhabitants of the Holy Roman Empire who visited Rome. A lay brotherhood was also active, of which prominent citizens of the Holy Roman Empire residing in Rome became members, including William of Orange's eldest son, Philip William. Today, after bitter disputes, both the Belgians and the Dutch have a representative on the board. The church itself is now used exclusively as a parish for the German-speaking people of Rome. Since 1992, the Dutch have had the so-called Frisian Church (San Michaele dei Frisoni) at their disposal, in the immediate vicinity of St. Peter's Basilica.

Santa Maria della Misericordia al Verano is a church located in the huge municipal cemetery of Campo di Verano. The cemetery of Campo di Verano was originally founded by Napoleon's French invaders, who issued an edict in 1804 banning the ancient burial practices in the city. Having not evolved since the Middle Ages, they were rightly considered too unhealthy. Pope Pius IX (1846-1878) commissioned Virginio Vespignani to design the cemetery and oversee the construction of the main architectural elements. The church was completed in 1862.

Santa Maria della Salute is one of the best expressions of Venetian Baroque architecture. Its construction between 1631 and 1687 is an ex voto to the Virgin by the Venetians for the liberation from the plague that decimated the population between 1630 and 1631. The construction was entrusted to Baldassare Longhena, who designed the church "in the shape of a crown to be dedicated to the Virgin".Every year, on 21 November, the day of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, the Venetians cross a bridge, made for centuries of boats, now floating on poles, which goes from St. Mark's to the basilica and go there to pray.

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Vita was founded in the 13th century. The current building is however a baroque reconstruction of the late 17th century. Its oratori is famous for the 16th century statues it contains.

The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is a basilica belonging to the Dominican. It was built between 1492 and 1493 and is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with the fresco of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci which is located in the refectory of the convent.

Santa Maria Egiziaca a Forcella is a church founded in 1342 in the Forcella quarter of Naples.

The Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli stands on the hill of the Campidoglio. The church, whose original name was Santa Maria in Capitolio, was part of the complex of buildings of a monastery that had settled on the Capitoline hill while the rest of the ancient Roman buildings was in ruins.

Santa Maria in Provenzano was built between 1595 and 1604 in the Mannerist style. The church has an important role in the Palio de Siena (horse race) because it houses the image of Our Lady of Provenzano in whose honour the famous race is held every year on July 2.