Churches in Tuscany

Near Montalcino stands a majestic monastery structure that is considered one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Italy.

It's the stuff of legends and Disney movies - angelic visions, knights, nobles and a sword in the stone.

The Abbey of St Peter in Badia a Ruoti, hamlet of Bucine, has certainly ancient origins even though it is not possible to fix a precise date of foundation.

Walking across the main square in Badia Agnano, passing through via Trento, you will reach the ancient Abbey, originally dedicated to St Maria.

The Duomo of Arezzo is an impressive sight in its dominating position.

This monumental church is one of Arezzo's primary attractions.

On a hilltop below Campiglia Marittima, the rustic Romanesque church Pieve San Giovanni is the oldest in the area.

The pretty town of Pitigliano is perched dramatically on a cliff, and is known as "Little Jerusalem" for its Jewish heritage.

A landmark church in Arezzo, the rounded apse is a focal point of the city's Piazza Grande.

Pienza is a lovely town in southern Tuscany, near Siena.

When Pope Leone X visited Incisa in 1516, the Franciscan friars took the opportunity to request and receive permission to build a new monastery and church.

The church of Santa Lucia in Montepulciano is a Baroque charmer consecrated in 1653.

The landmark church of Lucca is the elegant-faced San Michele in Foro.

This basilica at the top of a steep staircase sits on one of the highest points in Florence and is dedicated to the city's first martyr.

A monastery complex with chapel designed by Vasari is one of Cortona's historic sights to see.

In the midst of the Tuscan countryside near Siena, a few miles outside Asciano where the strange formations of the Crete Senese meet the typical Tuscan hills, sits the amazing Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore.

The palazzo-like building was converted into a church with distinctive statues.

The church of San Pantaleone a Elici is an ancient Romanesque structure that dominates the hills of Massarosa.

The charming church of San Niccolo is in the high part of Cortona.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence.

Set on the hillside below Cortona, the church of Santa Maria Nuova is an enchanting sight.

A beautiful sight in Montepulciano is the Renaissance temple that rests below the town.

The Basilica of San Lorenzo is Florence's oldest church and one of its largest.

The basilica of Santa Croce is one of Florence's most famous churches and the destination of millions of visitors annually.

The Basilica of San Frediano isthe oldest church in Lucca, named for a bishop from Ireland who came to Lucca and established the church, originally dedicated to San Vincenzo.

The Church of St Maria Novella in Florence preserves some of the most important works of art of the city.

This stunning basilica was founded by the order of "Servants of Maria" in 1250 and rebuilt by Michelozzo between 1444 and 1481.

Santa Maria della Rosa is a rare example of Gothic style in the splendid city of Lucca.

Just a stone's throw from the picturesque Ponte Vecchio in the Oltrarno quarter (meaning "the other side of the Arno") is the little Chiesa Luterana, built to serve the German-speaking Lutheran community of Florence.

The Pazzi Chapel is a lasting monument to the classical styling of the Renaissance.