Early Christian

Reconstructed in the mid-11th century, the cathedral baptistery is one of Florence's oldest buildings and greatest art treasures. It is covered inside and out with splendid medieval and Renaissance decoration.

Fafterin is one of the Dead Cities of northern Syria. It is notable for being home to the second-oldest church in Syria after Dura Europos, dating from 372 AD.

Located 50 km from Damascus, Maalula is the only place in the world that still speaks Aramaic, the language of Jesus.

Excavations beneath Geneva's cathedral have revealed Roman mosaics, several Early Christian churches and a medieval crypt. A catwalk leads visitors through the ancient ruins.

Dedicated to a young woman martyred in 303 AD, this church was built by Constantine and rebuilt in the 7th century. It has a Byzantine apse mosaic and crowd-free catacombs.

Paestum's Basilica Paleocristiana is an early Christian cathedral dating from the 5th century. It has recently been restored to its original form, which uses materials from the ancient city.

The walls, an arch, and the baptismal pool remain intact at the Church of Mary, possibly the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the world and the site of the Council of Ephesus in 431.

According to legend, seven Christian boys were locked in this cave by the Romans in c.250 AD, fell asleep, and woke up in the 5th century. It became a place of burial and pilgrimage.