An Art Tour of Rome from Antiquity to the 19th Century
The Paideia Institute invites you to join us for a one-week art historical tour of Rome and its environs in May of 2025. This curated travel experience will guide you through the stratified history of the Eternal City’s major art movements, from antiquity to the 19th century. We will begin by refining our familiarity with the art and architecture of the ancient city and its civilization, and then discover how the legacy of Classical Rome would continue to shape the intellectual and artistic character of the urbs aeterna for centuries to come. In particular, we will look closely at the reception and transformation of Classical visual vocabulary in the art and architecture of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
The spring season in Italy will offer us milder weather and less crowded sites, the perfect time to explore the region’s timeless beauty up close and at a relaxed pace. Each guided activity is led by the Paideia Institute's expert docents and paired with a meal at some of Rome's most sought-after restaurants and enoteche. Savor delicious food, exquisite wine, and excellent conversation!
Itinerary
Monday, May 12: The Capitoline Hill and Museums
One of the Seven Hills that formed the geographical heart of the city since its mythological origins, the Capitoline Hill has been at the center of Roman political life from ancient times to today. We will explore the richly stratified history of this site, making connections between the religious and political function of the ancient Roman Forum, Michelangelo's redesign of the Piazza del Campidoglio during the Renaissance, and the enduring symbolism of the Capitoline in modern life. The tour will end with a visit to the Capitoline Museums' expansive collection of Ancient Roman art.
Lunch at ?
The bronze equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius at Piazza del Campidoglio.
Tuesday, May 13: Day Trip to the Roman Port at Ostia
Located at the mouth of the Tiber river, the extraordinarily well preserved ancient harbor of Ostia offers us a glimpse into the urban footprint and daily life of a small city in Ancient Roman times. Highlights include a magnificent theater fanning out behind the Forum, residences adorned with frescoes and floor mosaics, and the remains of an ancient bakery. After our visit to the archaeological site, we will head over to the modern city of Ostia and spend the afternoon relaxing at the beach.
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A view of Ostia's Forum from the ancient theater.
Wednesday, May 14: Galleria Borghese
Begun by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the early 1600s and expanded through the centuries by his powerful family dynasty, the collection at Galleria Borghese houses some of the most renowned gems of Baroque painting and sculpture by masters such as Bernini, Caravaggio, and Titian. Our visit will focus on looking closely at a few artworks that exemplify the reception of Classical themes and imagery in art movements after antiquity. On our way to dinner we will take a leisurely stroll through the Villa Borghese’s sprawling park.
Dinner at Ai Fienaroli, Via Piemonte 125.
The Galleria Borghese's sumptuous marble interiors.
Thursday, May 15: Day Trip to the Villas of Tivoli
Just twenty miles northeast of Rome, the city of Tivoli (Tibur) was enriched by the lavish villas of the Roman elite, who sought out the region's beauty and clean water as a respite from the chaos of city life in Rome. We will explore the remains of the Emperor Hadrian's vast villa complex and visit the 16th century Villa d'Este, commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este and famous for its terraced hillside garden and numerous fountains.
Lunch at Ristorante Sibilla, Via della Sibilla 42.
The fountains at Villa d'Este are a feat of Renaissance engineering.
Friday, May 16: The Keats-Shelley House at the Spanish Steps
We will wrap up our week together by exploring a later era of Classical reception through the lives and writing of the 19th century Romantic poets, who were inspired by the city's beauty (and decay) and took up residence in the so-called "English ghetto" near the Spanish Steps. Our final site visit will include a stroll through Piazza di Spagna and a stop at the Keats-Shelley House museum, which houses an extensive collection of manuscripts, letters, and memorabilia related to John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and other Romantic poets.
Lunch at Ristorante Dillà, Via Mario de' Fiori 41.
The library at the Keats-Shelley House museum.
Who can join Rome and Environs?
Please note that there are no linguistic or academic prerequisites to join the tour. Though we welcome participants who have a background in the Classical languages and humanities, all programming will be in English and will be accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Registration
The cost to attend Rome and Environs is $150 per day, which covers our guides, site entrance fees, one group meal per day, train tickets for the day trip to Ostia, and a chartered bus for the day trip to Tivoli. Participants are welcome to register à la carte for the days they wish to attend, or join for the whole week for the reduced cost of $700. The tour does not include group accommodation, but we recommend the Hotel San Anselmo, Hotel Sourire, Hotel Santa Prisca, or Hotel San Francesco for your stay in Rome.
Please register for Rome and Environs no later than March 15th, 2025, using the form below.
If you have any questions or require special accommodations during any meals or site visits, please reach out to us at [email protected].
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