toursTWO

The tours described below aim to provide the visitor a simple yet
intelligent introduction to the "language" and significance of some of
Rome's most famous painted and sculpted artwork. Few tourists, for
example, know why a pope like Julius II would commission Raphael in the
1500s to paint a work like the School of Athens -- full of non-Christian,
some even atheist philosophers -- in one of the most important state rooms
of the Vatican. Why, in fact, in this fresco does the figure of Plato hold in
his hand a tome of his work, TIMAEUS, containing the legendary
narrative of the continent of Atlantis?
Choose from the following TOUR DESCRIPTIONS the one best
suited to you. Also at the bottom of this page you will find MAPS
marking the departure points of each tour in the respective part of Rome.

		*The* *Vatican Museums* : *this* *tour* *begins with a look at* *several*
		*Giotto,* *Raphael, and Caravaggio works in the Pinacoteca* *(Painting* *Gallery), followed by Bramante's courtyard (Cortile* *della* *Pigna) and Julius II's sculptural garden containing the* *Laocoon* *and* *Apollo Belvedere. Also included in this path is* the spectacular Hall of the Maps of Galileo-contemporary Pope Gregory XIII and, finally, the so-called Raphael Rooms and Sistine Chapel (all days but Sunday,** 3 hrs.)

		*The Raphael frescoes at the* *Villa Farnesina* : *Few tourists*
		*get to see* *Raphael's marvelous* Galathea or the superb Loggia of Cupid and Psyche painted by the same artist and several assistants in this gemlike villa of old Trastevere; other masterworks include Balthazar Peruzzi's Sala della Prospettiva (all days but Sunday, 2hrs.) (Ask about the same tour --with lunch included-- in cozy trattoria nearby**.)

		*The Art of* *Rebellion -- the* paintings of Caravaggio : this**
		*walking-tour surveys the churches of* *S.Maria del* *Poppolo, S.* *Luigi dei Francesi,* *the* *Church of* *Sant'Agostino, (mornings,*

2 hrs.). (Ask about the "deluxe" version of the same tour --
including a look at one room of the Doria Pamphilj Painting Gallery
on Via del Corso to view two of the artist's ear]iest works -- his
Mary Magdelene and the even more stunning Rest on the Flight
into Egypt )

		Tour of Old Trastevere : *Learn the rich, layered history of t*he
		*church of S.Maria in Trastevere and, in that of* *Santa Cecilia,* *view* *the* *stunningly sensual sculpture of the martyred Cecilia* by *the architect Maderno. Also in the adjacent convent to this* *church, the* *seldom-seen 13th-century frescoes by Giotto-* *contemporary,* *Pietro Cavallini.* *Tour continues with* stroll *through the* *romantic* *Medieval Quarter* (*mornings,* *2hrs.)*