An Art Tour of Rome for the Classically Curious
The Paideia Institute invites you to join us for a one-week art historical tour of Rome in July of 2024. This curated experience will give you the opportunity to travel through the timeline of the Eternal City's major art movements, with an emphasis on the dialogue between ancient and modern that defines the city's visual landscape. Connect with the Classics and discover Rome's timeless beauty through juxtapositions of classical archaeology, Mannerist and Baroque art, 20th century Modernism, and contemporary responses to the city's rich artistic tradition.
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, July 1: Baroque Walking Tour
A stroll through the architectural gems of Rome's Baroque era. Learn about why this historical period produced such a dramatic artistic vocabulary, full of surprising and theatrical illusory visual effects. Highlights will include Bernini's Fontana del Tritone, the Ecstasy of St. Teresa sculpture group at Santa Maria della Vittoria, Borromini's undulating architectural masterpiece at San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane, and, of course, the Trevi Fountain.
Lunch at: Marzapane, Via Flaminia 64.
Borromini's oval dome at San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane.
Tuesday, July 2: Mannerist Day Trip
An unforgettable day trip to two enchanting sculpture gardens an hour north of Rome. Discover the fantastical and grotesque stone creatures of the Sacro Bosco ("sacred grove") of Bomarzo, which Renaissance duke Vicino Orsini commissioned to cope with the loss of his wife, Giulia Farnese. After lunch, explore the Tarot Garden: 20th century artist Niki de Saint Phalle's dazzling sculptural interpretation of the oracular tarot card deck. Witness a magical artistic dialogue between past and present!
Lunch at: Dieci Sedie, Largo Della Neve 2, Tuscania.
The High Priestess fountain at the entrance to Niki de Saint Phalle's Tarot Garden.
Wednesday, July 3: Art Patronage and Villeggiatura at Galleria Borghese
A guided tour of the Borghese family’s distinguished art collection, begun by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the early 1600s. Come face to face with some of the most renowned gems of Baroque painting and sculpture (rife with Classical imagery!), such as Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne, Caravaggio’s Boy with a Basket of Fruit, and Titian’s Sacred and Profane Love. Afterwards, take a leisurely stroll through the Villa Borghese’s sprawling park.
Lunch at: Ai Fienaroli, Via Piemonte 125.
Bernini's Apollo and Daphne.
Thursday, July 4: A Critical Lense on Authoritarian Architecture
A walking tour of Rome's Fascist-era EUR ("Universal Expo Rome") district, including the monumental Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. Learn about the massive urban planning project inaugurated by Mussolini in the 1930s that was intended to be the site of the 1942 World's Fair, and how the architectural motifs of imperial Rome influenced the authoritarian aesthetics of the Fascist built environment.
Lunch at: Retrobottega, Via della Stelletta 4.
The Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, also know as the "square Colosseum".
Friday, July 5: Industry and Archaeology in Testaccio
A guided tour of the Centrale Montemartini museum in the neighborhood of Testaccio. Explore the striking juxtaposition between ancient Roman artifacts and the industrial machinery of the decommissioned power plant, which has housed part of the Capitoline Museums' collection since 1997. The neighborhood's foremost example of urban transformation and renewal, the museum represents the unique proximity of ancient and contemporary archaeologies that interface throughout the city.
Lunch at: BAUHAUS ROME, Piazza Eugenio Biffi 3.
Classical and industrial archaeology on display side by side at the former thermal power plant.
Who can join Roman Holiday?
Please note that there are no linguistic or academic prerequisites to attend Roman Holiday. 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.
Paideia’s Roman Holiday takes place during the first week of Living Latin in Rome High School so that parents whose children are attending the high school program can explore the city and get a taste of the immersive Classical experiences that we offer our students. The Roman Holiday itinerary includes some of the sites that our students visit during Living Latin in Rome, but please note that all Roman Holiday programming takes place separately from the high school group’s schedule.
We also welcome participants who are not connected to our other programs and just want to enjoy an enriching summer holiday in Rome!
Registration
The cost to attend Roman Holiday is $150 per day, which covers our guides, site entrance fees, one group meal per day, and a chartered bus for the day trip to Bomarzo and Capalbio. 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. Roman Holiday does not include group accommodation, but we recommend the Hotel San Anselmo for your stay in Rome.
Please register for Roman Holiday no later than May 1st, 2024, 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].