Explore Religious Heritage Across Europe

The cathedral of Sassari dates back to the XII century, but it stands on a pre-existing palaeochristian building, whose remains are visible under the present apse. The church was rebuilt in the 13th century in the Pisan Romanesque style. Between 1435 and 1518 it was radically renovated in the Catalan Gothic style, following the transfer of the Bishop's pulpit from Porto Torres to Sassari in 1441, the year in which the parish church of San Nicola was raised to the rank of cathedral. Between the 17th and 18th centuries, the present façade of the cathedral was built in Baroque style.

The Cathedral of Savona is in fact an abbey church, elevated to the rank of cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1559, following the destruction of the old cathedral (9th century) by Genoese troops. In 1584, construction of the present building began on the former church of the Convent of St. Francis and was completed in 1605.

The Scuola Canton in Venice was built between 1531 and 1532, with parts dating from 1672 (ark), and 1736. This Baroque stone building still serves as a synagogue.

The Spanish synagogue is one of the two functioning synagogues in Venice. It was built in 1580 and was restored in 1635. It is a clandestine synagogue meaning that the exterior was not allowed to appear as a place of worship. The synagogue is still open today for services.

The Scuola Grande Tedesca was built in 1528 by German Ashkenazi Jews making it one of the oldest synagogues in Venice. The temple is on the fourth and fifth floors of the five-story building that today is home to the Jewish Museum in Venice.

The Scuola Italiana in Venice was first built in 1575 and rebuilt in the 18th century. This Baroque stone building still serves as a synagogue.

The Scuola Levantina in Venice was built between 1538 and 1561, with some parts dating from 1680. This Mannerist stone building still serves as a synagogue.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta was built in the 13th century in the Romanesque-Gothic Italian style. It is famous for its intensive use of marble marquetry. An enlargement of the church took place in the 14th century, but was abandoned with its failure. As part of Historic Centre of Siena, the cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The small church of the Madonna del Terremoto is a baroque church built in 1754. It celebrates the Virgin Mary, recognized as the city's saviour during the violent earthquake of 1693 that struck Italy.

The present Sorrento Cathedral was completed around the 11th century and consecrated on March 16, 1113, to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the Apostles Philip and James. Over the years it has undergone considerable extensions, such as those commissioned by Bishop Domizio Falangola in 1450 and by Cardinal Francesco Remolines in 1505. After the invasion of the Turks in 1558, it was completely rebuilt in 1573, on the orders of Bishop Giulio Pavese, and took on its present Baroque appearance following work carried out in the early 18th century by Bishops Didaco Petra and Filippo Anastasio. The façade was completely rebuilt in 1924, in neo-gothic style, following a violent whirlwind that damaged the entire structure. In 1936 all the paintings inside the church were restored.