Religious Studies: Italy

Colosseum visit with Whisper headset, Arch of Constantine, Forum Romanum visit

Enjoy a view of Trajan’s Column and Market. Completed in 113 A.D. as a monument to the Emperor Trajan, the column is most famous for its spiral bas-relief. It stands in front of the market, the ancient equivalent of a shopping center, which housed no less than 150 shops and offices. From there, stroll past the Victor Emmanuel Monument, a giant building created to honor the first king of a unified Italy.

See the Mamertine Prison, originally created as a cistern for a spring. The prison was typically reserved for higher-profile prisoners and those that posed a threat to the security of Rome; the most famous of these was St. Peter.

Discover Rome’s best-preserved, ancient monument and learn about how it remains as the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome and contains the tombs of prominent Italian figures.

This evening we will dine in the Piazza Navona area. Built on the foundations of Domitian's Circus, this magnificent square was designed by Borromini in 17th century. It is full of life and highlighted by the Four Rivers fountains designed by Bernini. The surrounding neighborhood is also one of the best places in Rome to get a tasty tartufo or gelato ice cream.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, Raphael Rooms, St. Peter’s Basilica visit

Once a capital to rival Florence, Siena is arguably Italy’s prettiest medieval town, and still possesses the grandeur of the age when it was at its peak.

Siena Duomo visit, Piccolomini Library visit, Church of St. Catherine visit

Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Piazzale Michelangelo

A small town of narrow streets and medieval walls, Assisi might never have been famous had it not been the birthplace of St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan order. Today it is a major destination for religious pilgrims and art lovers alike. You’ll explore the Basilica of St. Francis, built in the 13th century to hold the saint’s body. Ironically, the body was hidden so well in the basilica that it took 600 years of digging to find it.

St. Francis' Basilica guided visit, Basilica of St. Clare visit, Portiuncula visit

Appia Antica (Appian Way), the most famous road that led to Rome. Built in 312 BC, it eventually stretched to the seaport of Brindisi, through which trade with colonies in Greece and the East was funneled. We will explore the road's initial stretch in Rome, lined with the great monuments and ancient tombs of patrician Roman families.

Visit this small basilica with a profound historical and religious significance as its said to to be the destination where St. Peter had a vision of Jesus, prompting him to return to Rome to face martyrdom.

Descend into the early Christian catacombs, dating from the first to fourth centuries. Then, through demonstrations and workshops, you'll see how the gladiators lived, trained, and more.

Visit the church of San Pietro in Vincoli, which was founded in the 5th century to house the chains that bound St. Peter in Palestine, now preserved under glass. We will also view the tomb of Pope Julius II, crowned by one of Michelangelo’s most famous sculptures, Moses.

Dive deep into Christian art and history as you explore the oldest and most prestigious papal basilica in Rome and its impressive interior adorned with ancient mosaics and statues.

Visit the Victorian-Gothic Church of Saint Alphonsus Liguori and the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, home to the revered Marian icon once venerated on Crete. According to legend, a merchant brought the icon to Rome in 1499 to protect it from invading Turkish forces.

Visit Santa Maria Maggiore. One of Rome’s four patriarchal basilicas, the church dates back to the 5th century. Along with its Baroque interior and Romanesque bell tower, the basilica is noted for a cycle of mosaics from the 5th century that decorate the arch and nave, depicting biblical scenes.

Visit this impressive art gallery in Rome that was first opened back in the 1600’s by Pope Paul V’s nephew. Full of priceless works of art, some dating back to the 1st century AD, and housed in a former mansion, this museum is definitely worth a visit.

This evening, students make their final entries in their Reflection Journals, sharing key observations and perspectives gained throughout their travel experience and considering how these insights will remain relevant as they return home.

Throughout the program, we will set time aside time for discussion, guided reflection, and time to write reflections on self-discovery and what we have learned. "We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience" - John Dewey