5 UNESCO heritage sites in Italy to visit

Italy boasts numerous artistic and natural treasures, a cultural heritage of such great importance that it is protected and safeguarded by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Italy holds the world record for the number of UNESCO sites on its territory, a total of 61. If you want to discover some of the most remarkable UNESCO sites in Italy, this guide recommends 5 must-visit destinations.

Milan: Santa Maria delle Grazie and Leonardo's Last Supper

Our journey through UNESCO heritage in Italy starts from Milan, more precisely from the Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Inside, on what was once the wall of the refectory, is Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper. Commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, the Last Supper is one of the world's greatest masterpieces of painting preserved in Italy. Over the centuries, its influence on figurative art and religious iconography has grown, also enhanced by the architectural context in which it was painted. 

And so, in 1980, the Santa Maria delle Grazie complex and the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: it became the second site in Italy to receive this recognition, after the rock drawings in Val Camonica. 

Where to stay in Milan: UNA Hotels Mediterraneo Milano

If you're coming from out of town and want to explore Santa Maria delle Grazie and the other artistic treasures of Milan at your own pace, the UNA Hotels Mediterraneo Milano is the perfect place for your stay. Located just a few minutes from the complex, the hotel features spaces furnished with great attention to detail, 93 rooms, and a prestigious location. Just a short distance from the hotel is the Porta Romana metro station, making it easy to get around the city. 

Bologna: The UNESCO Porticoes, a heritage of history and architecture

The porticoes are perhaps the quintessential symbol of the city of Bologna, the architectural feature that has shaped the urban identity of the capital of Emilia-Romagna. Every year, many tourists explore the city, letting themselves be guided by the beauty of the porticoes and the paths they trace. 

Not all of the more than 60 kilometres of porticoes are officially recognised as cultural heritage sites. There are 12 sections considered particularly significant, along with the surrounding areas, which received this recognition in 2021: 

• Saint Catherine and Zaragoza

• Saint Stephen and Mercanzia

• Galliera

• Baraccano

• Pavaglione, Banks and Piazza Maggiore

• San Luca

• University and Academy

• Certosa

• Cavour, Farini and Minghetti

• Strada Maggiore

"Treno della Barca" boat train

• MAMbo

UNA Hotels San Vitale Bologna, the perfect place to stay in the city

UNA Hotels San Vitale Bologna is an ideal choice for those seeking to explore the beauty of Bologna's porticoes. Easily accessible from the city centre, the Fiera district, and Marconi Airport, the hotel ensures you the highest level of comfort. You can choose from 140 rooms and suites, as well as 12 apartments, including studios and two-room apartments. In addition, you will have a fitness room to help you keep in shape even during the holidays.

Rome: The UNESCO Historic Centre, the heart of world art

Rome's historic centre was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1980, and ten years later the designated area was expanded to include certain properties of the Holy See and San Paolo Fuori le Mura.

Talking about the historic centre of the Capital, therefore, means including numerous areas and structures of unparalleled historical and cultural value. Among the most iconic elements, you will find:

• Ancient monuments such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Imperial Forums.

• The fortifications built over the centuries (the city walls, Castel Sant'Angelo).

• Urban projects from the Renaissance onwards. The route thus goes from the Sistine area to Piazza del Popolo, Piazza di Spagna, and Piazza Navona.

• Civil and religious buildings, their decorations and the sculptures they house. Among the many examples, we can mention the Campidoglio, the Ara Pacis, the Quirinal Palace, Palazzo Farnese and the major basilicas.

In the heart of Dolce Vita: UNA Hotels Empire Roma

Near Via Veneto, the heart of La Dolce Vita, you will find the UNA Hotels Empire Roma. The establishment is located inside the historic Mocenigo palace, witness to the elegant and refined soul of this neighbourhood. The combination of history and the present, of tradition and modernity, is what gives the hotel its distinctive character: book your room and enjoy a unique atmosphere after a long day exploring the wonders of Rome's historic centre.

Matera: The UNESCO Sassi and the Rupestrian Churches

Matera is famous all over the world for its Sassi, the neighbourhoods formed by rock architecture and buildings carved into the rock and present in the historic centre of the city. In 1993, their historical and cultural value certified them as World Heritage Sites together with the Park of the Rupestrian Churches. This park collects over 150 examples of churches in cliffs, built from the time of the first local monastic communities in order to combine the need to have a place to gather with the special conformation of the territory. 

The most famous of these special churches, which have different conformations, is the Crypt of Original Sin. Inside, there is a pictorial cycle dating back to the ninth or tenth century that has earned it the reputation of Sistine Chapel of the rupestrian churches. A stop not to be missed.

Relax in the city of Sassi: UNA Hotels MH Matera

UNA Hotels MH Matera will be your relaxing retreat in the Lucanian city. The four-star hotel blends harmoniously with the surrounding nature and the historically rich context in which it is located. The OLOS Spa wellness and fitness centre is the flagship of the facility, with its Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, emotional showers and herbal tea corner. Outside, you'll find pools in which to relax and admire the surrounding scenery. Book and come and discover the property!

Sicily: Etna, the most studied active volcano in Europe

After a series of artistic and architectural elements, we conclude with a natural site: Etna. The volcano, a symbol of Sicily, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, when its exceptional geological, educational and tourist value was recognised. 

Etna is, in fact, the most active volcano in Europe, with over 2,700 years of documented continuous activity. Its unique features, such as craters and lava flows, and the geological processes it has undergone for millennia, make it a site of fundamental importance in volcanology, and it is no coincidence that it is one of the most studied volcanoes in the world. 

The beauty of its landscapes and the charm of its unspoiled nature make Mount Etna one of the most popular tourist destinations along the eastern coast of Sicily and the surroundings of Catania, especially for trekking and hiking enthusiasts. 

Luxury hotel for a stay in Catania

Booking a stay at Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze is the best way to experience the city and explore the eastern coast of Sicily, including Etna. The hotel overlooks the central Via Etnea, the best location for a holiday, and its interiors are full of details that reflect the strong connection with the region and the many influences of this land. The wellness area, the fitness room and the restaurant with a terrace from which to admire the Catania skyline complete the stay. 

Visiting Italian UNESCO cultural sites is one of the most special ways to discover our peninsula. Choose your preferred destination, book one of the recommended hotels, and enjoy your trip exploring the beauty of our homeland..