Rome – Discovering mosaics and Christian art
4 days / 3 nights
Arrival in Rome. Accommodation in the reserved rooms in Domus and meeting with the guide.
We will walk through famous and less famous places in Rome, passing through the streets where artists have lived and worked. The tour includes not only Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna, but also alleys, small squares and unexpected underground archaeological remains. Along the way we will discover the house where Gian Lorenzo Bernini lived and died, his extraordinary works, those of his rival genius Francesco Borromini, but also masterpieces by Caravaggio, illusionistic Baroque ceilings and many curiosities, to understand the true soul of Rome, off the usual tourist routes, through the discovery of its hidden treasures.
Return to the Domus. Dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast departure to visit Christian Rome.
We will visit the churches where the colours of the Middle Ages and the symbols of early Christianity shine. We begin with Santa Pudenziana, whose apse is one of the oldest in Rome. We will continue with the church of Santa Prassede, adorned with wonderful mosaic decorations and the famous Chapel of San Zenone, where, according to tradition, the column where Christ was bound during his scourging is kept. Next we will explore Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the four Papal Basilicas, with its rich mosaics by Jacopo Torriti and Filippo Rusuti. Finally, we will visit the Church of San Paolo entro le mura, built at the end of the 19th century in neo-medieval style, a little-known gem, adorned with mosaics designed by the English Pre-Raphaelite Edward Burne Jones, relating to themes of early Christianity, together with some unexpected curiosities.
Lunch in a restaurant.
After lunch a visit to discover two churches in Rome that are very important for their artistic and spiritual value: San Pietro in Vincoli and San Clemente. According to tradition, the first church, dedicated to St. Peter, contains the chains (vincula in Latin) used to imprison Peter first in Jerusalem and then in the Mamertine Prison in Rome. The church is also famous for its imposing statue of Moses, a work by Michelangelo, commissioned by Pope Julius II for his own tomb. We will then visit the Church of San Clemente, dedicated to the fourth pontiff, an extraordinary example of urban stratification not far from the Colosseum. We will start with the medieval basilica from the 12th century and discover the mosaic treasures that adorn it. We will then descend into the basement visiting the early Christian basilica and then the even deeper level of the Roman era dating back to the first century, where in some rooms of an insula a Mithraic cult site was later inserted.
Return to the Domus. Dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast, meet your guide and visit the Trastevere district.
Linked to daily traditions, street art and poetry, the Trastevere district has always been a cradle of stories, images and tales, legends and great historical events. We will start our exploration with Piazza Santa Cecilia and its church, then we will walk through alleys and delightful little streets that will lead us to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Porta Settimiana and the church of Santa Maria della Scala. We will discover places linked to the history of the district, such as the famous Piazza Belli and Trilussa, the oldest and most authentic traditions of the district, such as the Festa de Noantri and that of the Madonna Fiumarola, the ancient trades and legends of Trastevere, as well as the stories of important archaeological discoveries in the area.
Lunch in a restaurant. After lunch, short bus transfer to the Gianicolo.
Our afternoon walk will begin at the Church of San Pietro in Montorio, where we will talk about the martyrdom of the Apostle Peter and Bramante’s Temple, a jewel of Renaissance architecture, which according to tradition was built on the exact spot where the cross was hoisted. We will then reach the Acqua Paola fountain with its splendid view over the city. We will talk about the Roman Republic, see the War Memorial, the famous Belvedere with the equestrian monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, and talk about the famous Cannone, which announces midday every day. We will learn about the events surrounding the monument to Anita Garibaldi and end the visit near the Lighthouse of the Italians of Argentina. Return to the Domus. Dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast we will conclude our tour of the Eternal City with what most brings the faithful closer to the Catholic religion. We will then attend the 11:00am Mass from a packed St Peter’s Square and look forward to seeing our live Pope Francis read the Angelus as usual. After Mass, we will have time for a short walk around the Vatican area and return by coach to the Domus.
END OF SERVICES.
354€ per person
on reaching 30 persons
Single room supplement: euro 90,00
15% reduction 3rd bed 2-12 years
0-2 years free
MINIMUM 20 – MAXIMUM 30 participants
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
On-site transfers as per the itinerary;
Nr. 3 HB in double room in Domus;
Tourist tax;
Guided tours as per programme
2 lunches in the city centre;
Entrance fees as per itinerary;
Radio-guides;
Medical/Luggage Insurance.
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Transfers to and from the Domus;
Lunch on the first and last day;
Extras and everything not mentioned in “the fee includes”.
Enrolment fee 30€
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