Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva , Rome

During the Middle Ages Rome was a chaotic mess and with not a lot of building happening. The one great exception, though, is this magnificent church, which takes its name from the temple of the pagan god over which it is built. Rome’s only gothic church, the Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva offers a lot of gawking for art and architecture buffs. Be sure to peek at the starry-skied ceiling and the Michelangelo sculpture of Christ holding up the cross. There’s also a “Madonna and Child” painted by Renaissance master Fra Angelico. In front of the church is a Bernini-sculpted elephant holding up one of the city’s many obelisks.

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