Italian Pilgrimage

A pilgrimage to Italy offers an unparalleled encounter with the early history of Christianity in the West, where the faith of the apostles, martyrs, and early bishops took visible and enduring form. Italy preserves some of the most important Christian sites in the world, especially those connected with the Church of Rome and the witness of the early martyrs. Pilgrimage here allows participants to encounter Christianity in its ancient Western expression.

We run several pilgrimage options in Italy. We can lead pilgrimages to just one city or region, or several. Some options include Rome, the centre of early Western Christianity and the place of martyrdom of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Rome stands at the heart of early Western Christianity and remains one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the Christian world, sanctified by the blood of the apostles and martyrs. Central to pilgrimage are the great apostolic basilicas, above all St Peter’s Basilica, built over the tomb of the Apostle Peter, and Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, marking the burial place of the Apostle Paul. Pilgrims also visit Basilica of St John Lateran, the cathedral church of Rome and one of the oldest Christian basilicas, along with Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, closely associated with early Marian devotion. Beneath and beyond the city lie the ancient Christian catacombs, such as those of San Callisto, where generations of martyrs and confessors bore witness to the faith. Together, these sites allow pilgrims to encounter the Church of the first centuries—rooted in apostolic witness, shaped by persecution, and expressed through worship that laid the foundations of Western Christian life. In Rome, we can also visit the famous monuments of the Roman Empire, such as the Colosseum.

In Venice, pilgrims encounter a unique blend of Eastern and Western Christian heritage, shaped by centuries of contact with Byzantium. Venice contains a remarkable concentration of Christian pilgrimage sites that reflect its unique position between East and West. At the heart of the city stands St Mark’s Basilica, built to house the relics of St Mark the Evangelist and distinguished by its Byzantine character and ancient mosaics. Nearby are San Zaccaria and San Pietro di Castello, both offering insight into the early Christian and ecclesiastical life of the city. The wider Venetian lagoon preserves some of the region’s oldest churches, most notably Santa Maria Assunta (Torcello Cathedral), whose early mosaics testify to the shared Christian heritage of the first millennium. Venice also includes important later medieval and monastic sites such as San Giovanni e Paolo (Zanipolo) and San Giorgio Maggiore.

Milan is one of the most important centres of early Western Christianity, shaped above all by the legacy of St Ambrose and the development of the Ambrosian tradition. Central to pilgrimage in the city is Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, founded by St Ambrose himself and housing his relics alongside those of the martyrs Gervasius and Protasius. Nearby, Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore preserves some of the oldest Christian structures in the city, reflecting Milan’s importance in the late Roman period. Pilgrims also visit Santa Maria delle Grazie, which houses Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, one of the most renowned Christian artworks in history, as well as Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), a monumental expression of later Western Christian devotion. Together with Basilica of San Simpliciano, these sites reveal Milan’s central role in shaping Western liturgy, theology, and ecclesial life from late antiquity onwardd

Ravenna preserves one of the most extraordinary collections of early Christian and Byzantine monuments in the Western world, making it a central site for understanding the faith of the first millennium. At the heart of pilgrimage is Basilica of San Vitale, renowned for its sixth-century mosaics that vividly express imperial and liturgical Christianity, alongside the nearby Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, whose luminous interior offers a profound vision of early Christian theology. Pilgrims also visit Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, originally built during the Arian period and later consecrated to Orthodox worship, and Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, which reflects the mature expression of early Byzantine church art and theology. Completing the pilgrimage are the city’s ancient baptisteries, including the Neonian Baptistery and the Arian Baptistery, which together testify to the theological struggles and eventual triumph of Orthodox faith in the life of the early Church.

Sicily offers a distinctive pilgrimage experience shaped by its position at the crossroads of the Greek, Latin, and Byzantine Christian worlds, preserving a rich inheritance from the first millennium of Christianity. Pilgrims visit Palermo, where churches such as the Palatine Chapel preserve magnificent mosaics that reflect a strong Byzantine theological and artistic influence within a Western setting. In Monreale, the great cathedral stands as one of the finest surviving expressions of medieval Christian art, uniting Eastern iconographic tradition with Western architecture. Eastern Sicily offers equally important sites, including Catania, associated with early martyrdom and devotion, and Syracuse, one of the earliest centres of Christianity in the West, where pilgrims can visit ancient catacombs and churches tied to the apostolic age.

As an optional extension, pilgrims may also travel to towns and regions of the Italian Alps, such as South Tyrol, offering time for rest, reflection, and appreciation of the natural beauty of northern Italy. These mountain settings provide a contemplative contrast to the urban centres of pilgrimage, allowing participants to rest and reflect within the beauty of God's creation. Pilgrimage in Italy thus combines profound encounters with Christian history, sacred art, and worship, while also offering opportunities for cultural exploration and renewal amid some of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes.

Each of our pilgrimage packages is custom-tailored to fit your group's needs. If you are interested in organising an Italian pilgrimage, please contact us to discuss details.

Photos from previous Italian pilgrimages