Our Summer Session II students are about to take a trip away from Rome. Considering how hot it’s been here, they are hoping to meet up with a bit more temperate weather, but it’s not likely as they first head South. The two-day trip will take them to Paestum, a Graeco-Roman city south of Naples with three amazingly preserved temples – a treat especially for architecture students but for art historians and artists of all inclinations as well. They might be able to sneak some time at the beach as the Hotel Calypso is located on the shore of the “Mare Tirreno”. Then our fortunate students will visit the unfortunate city of Pompeii where life had stopped abruptly on account of Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD. There is a lot to contemplate as one walks through the excavated city where some houses are so well preserved – with walls painted magnificently and pottery unbroken - as if expecting the owners to come back.
After a night in Rome, our students will head North to the place where Renaissance was born – the city of Florence. The center – it’s urban form – has remained pretty much unchanged since Leonardo and Michelangelo walked its street, but there is just so much art work to pay attention to and absorb that the two day visit will not be enough. The students will most likely feel the need to come back again – and they should - but we are glad to facilitate at last this short introduction to the amazing artistic legacy of Florence.
The getaway trip from Rome will conclude in Venice. Again, the time will seem much too short in this enchanting city in the waters of the Adriatic Sea. Hopefully the students will find the time to take a boat excursion (there is no other transportation choice) throughout the Venetian Lagoon to get a sense of how this city was built and organized. For the photographer who likes to get to know a city by walking and getting lost - Venice is the ideal city! There is no doubt that even with a trusty map in their pocket – our students will get lost. And they should.