As the first Gothic church in Tuscany, this church was built by monks in the 13th century to house the rock into Galgano Giudotti allegedly plunged a sword in 1180, turning it into the symbol of the cross. In 1786, the roof collapsed and, although some restoration work was later carried out, the church is still a hauntingly beautiful, roofless shell surrounded by verdant landscape.
10. Santa Maria in Trastevere
On the other side of the Tiber from Rome’s most popular attractions, the wonderfully authentic neighborhood of Trastevere houses endless charms – among these, Santa Maria, which dates from the 4th century and is believed to have been the first place of Christian worship in Rome. Inside, the spot from which pure oil flowed on the day Christ was born is marked next to the altar.
