Valentine defied an Emperor’s edict by performing secret marriages for couples–which explains his association with romance.
Saint Valentine's day in an Italian city cabuscaa - Shutterstock
Monastery of St John of Capestrano Courtesy Cammino della Pace
San Giovanni di Capestrano lived and died in this Franciscan Monastery
Church of the Madonna of the Rosary Courtesy Cammino della Pace
Damaged by the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake, the church was reopened exactly 10 years later on the feast of Madonna di Pompei.
Church of St Sebastian at Navelli Courtesy Cammino della Pace
Originally serving as the chapel of a baronial palace—later extensively transformed in the 17th century into the present Palazzo Santucci
Interior of Santa Maria in Cosmedin church in Rome Mistervlad - Shutterstock
This Roman basilica is home to the famous Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth), as well as the relics of the patron saint of lovers
Bits of delicious Pecorino Romano, a typical Italian cheese made from sheep's milk Alessio Orru - Shutterstock
Centuries ago, pecorino became a vital provision for pilgrims journeying to sacred sites such as Rome or Assisi.
Abbey of St Mary in Cerulis Courtesy Cammino della Pace
This church was built on the ruins of a 3rd-century BC Italic temple dedicated to Hercules Iovius
Monastery of San Antonio a Novelli Courtesy Cammino della Pace
It was built in the 14th century as a convent of the Minor Observants over an earlier church
Church of St Anthony Courtesy Cammino della Pace
A small church in the middle of a rural road between the municipalities of Caporciano and Navelli, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua.