Berkley Center

The thing I most remember from my childhood trip to Florence is, without a doubt, Il Duomo di Firenze. The image of the proud basilica, with its eye-catching white face and its delicate green and pink detailing, is not easily forgotten. It is, in many ways, the centerpiece of the city. Towering over the surrounding buildings, the Duomo commands attention and respect. Upon returning to the city to spend a semester studying here, however, I quickly realized that the Duomo is only one of many local churches. The predominance of the Catholic religion within Italian culture can be seen in its numerous elaborate churches, with their impossibly detailed frescos and stained glass windows, which saturate the city.

Italy’s Catholic culture has a long and dynamic history. Throughout the years, various rulers and religious figures invested in building large, awe-inspiring cathedrals. Artwork centered on religious figures, and the Church influenced much of daily life. In 1929, under the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini, the Italian government entered into the Lateran Treaties with the Holy See, or the Roman Catholic Church. These treaties established the state of the Vatican City and made Catholicism the only religion of Italy. The tenants of these pacts carried over to Italy’s Constitution upon Italy becoming a parliamentary constitutional republic. Italy maintained Catholicism as its official religion until 1984. However, Italy’s long Catholic tradition continues to shape the country today. Despite this, recent moves toward secularization have occurred, creating a more marked effect than it has in other countries, as the culture shifts away from one of its defining foundations.

The impact of religion on Italian society can be distinctly observed through marriage traditions and how these have changed in the last 40 years. While marriage is rooted in religious practice and the Catholic Church did not permit divorce, Italy legalized divorce in 1970. Although the Vatican and other Catholic organizations protested this law, divorce was upheld as legal. This change occurred while Italy was still under the constitutional obligation to the Lateran Treaties and may represent one of the first moves toward secularization of the state. Soon after, the government officially removed Catholicism as its definitive religion.

Before the legalization of divorce, options for ending a marriage were limited. One of the only ways to end a marriage was created through a law upheld until 1981. A man was permitted to kill his wife, daughter, or sister—and her lover—after discovering her infidelity in order to protect his own honor, and only be sentenced to three to seven years in prison. This law reflected a cultural predisposition toward male rights within society, as women were not permitted the same privileges. This speaks to societal expectations of women, men, and marriage within the historical Italian culture. Movement toward divorce signaled a change in culture within Italy, and this had significant implications on the everyday rights of Italian citizens. However, divorce is still not taken lightly within the society and is far from easy within Italy, taking up to six years to complete. Currently, legislators are working to simplify this process.

While Italy is undoubtedly experiencing some cultural and religious changes, its rich religious history will always be a part of its Italian identity. Among the stout yellow buildings, whose age has only made them more beautiful, one must only look upward to find a nearby church standing with dignity nearby. After spending only three weeks here, I have already stumbled upon six churches within the nearby area of Fiesole and Florence. Each of these churches has its own traditions and history to explore. With breathtaking ceilings and elaborate altars, their beauty reminds one of the origins of Florence. As secularization changes the social realm of the country, Italy’s churches will remain as constant reminders of the fundamental building blocks of society.