Olympics visitors are invited beyond the Duomo to Milan's other churches

An archdiocese youth initiative called "The Path of Beauty" is offering free short introductions to about a dozen Milan churches during the Winter Olympics, with visits scheduled through March 15.

Young volunteers in Milan are guiding visitors away from the crowded Duomo and into lesser-known city churches during the Winter Olympics. The program, known as "The Path of Beauty," began in 2020 as a project of the archdiocese's youth ministry. It typically runs on weekends but extends to weekdays for the Games and continues through March 15. Volunteers offer brief, free introductions to the history and sacred art of each site while noting they are not certified tour guides. Key details: - The initiative is called "The Path of Beauty" and began in 2020 under the archdiocese's youth ministry office. - About 15 to 20 volunteers take part, with each person specializing in one or two churches. - Short, free visits are offered at roughly a dozen Catholic sanctuaries across Milan; the schedule is extended to weekdays during the Olympics and runs through March 15. - Volunteers emphasize they are not certified guides and provide introductions in languages including English, French and Italian. - Sites mentioned include the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore and Santa Maria presso San Satiro; volunteers meet monthly for training and have planned travel to Ravenna for further study. Summary: The project aims to invite visitors to move from being tourists to a quieter form of encounter with art and faith. It will continue through March 15, with volunteers maintaining visits during the Olympic period and pursuing further training and study trips.