Ideas for sights other than churches in Rome and Pisa
 

We're spending 2 months in Europe and would prefer to visit sights less frequented than the major churches in Rome and Pisa. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Consider the minor churches of Rome. There are dozens that will repay a visit.

I am puzzled by your question. There are so many non-church historic sites in Rome! And just outside of Rome are Ostia Antica, Tivoli, Sperlonga, etc. Buy a copy of City Secrets: Rome for a whole listnof cool things to do there.

Rome has dozens and dozens of other sights - ranging from ancient monuments to museums from antiquity (Etruscan Villa Giulia) to Renaissance to modern. A host of beautiful piazzas with renaissance fountains to fabulously interesting neighborhoods to incredible modern shopping districts. churches are by far the least of it. Have a look at any one of the thorough guide books for a host of options.

San Clemente is a "less frequented" site. It IS a church, but the interesting thing about this church is that the Roman ruins it rests upon are partially excavated, and you can see them. It is an interesting juxtaposition of the history of Rome with many periods of architecture represented in its layers of contruction.
Of course there are more mainstream places like the forum, etc. that are not churches.
Enjoy your trip!

My suggestion, Eloise, is to go to your library and check out some Guide Books and if one really catches your interest buy it through a bookstore or Amazon. One could spend months in Rome alone and have a wonderful time without ever stepping foot in a church.

Pisa: Besides the major church there's also a remarkable baptistry and also a bell tower.

Thank you all for your replies! Off to the bookstore now!

The churches of Rome hold its artistic and architectural treasures. Most of these are seldom visited or have only minor crowds. Here are some examples:

Santa Maria degli Angeli - in Piazza Republica and part of the baths of Diocletian. Designed by Michelangelo in the tepidarium portion of the old baths. It gives you a good idea of the real size of some of the ancient Roman palaces and baths.

Santa Prassede and Santa Pudenziana - each a block away from Mary Maggiore. Check out the mosaics in Prassede in St. Zeno's chapel, the one with the 4 female saints created a big split in the Catholic church.

San Marco - Almost directly across from the Vittorio Emanuelle II monument.

Il Gesu - About 2 blocks from Piazza Venezia. Baciccia's masterpiece fresco in the ceiling. The stucco statues that form into the fresco are by Raggi and Reti.

Sant'Ignazio - Halfway between the Pantheon and Via del Corso. Pozzo's amazing vault fresco is a study in perspective. The church could not afford a dome, so he painted one.

Santa Maria Maddalena - One block north of the Pantheon, this seldom visited church is small but stunning. Michelangelo Cerruti's frescoes are in the vault. The sacristy is one of the finest examples of the rococo style in Rome and almost nobody goes here.

Santa Maria della Concezione - On the north side of Piazza Barberini. Most people come to see the Capuchin Crypt (which is amazing), but the church, which is normally vacant, hold's Reni's "Michael", works by Sacchi and Dominichino, the tomb of Sobieski and what is believed to be a Caravaggio. The sacristan will take you on a tour through the back, where you can see some amazing sights, including the cells where the monks lived and an illuminated manuscript.

Sant'Agostino - Leave Navona by the north entrance and turn right. Cross the main street and follow the small street 1 block. You'll see a sign for the church. The first chapel on the left holds a Caravaggio, the second pier in the main aisle was done by Raphael, the main altarpiece is by Bernini and the icon is believed to be from the original altarpiece from the Hagia Sophia.

You'll find very few people in any of those.

dave