Lights and shadows in Rome on the traces of Caravaggio

Lights and shadows in Rome on the traces of Caravaggio

The life of Michelangelo Merisi, better known as "Caravaggio", was made of lights and shadows, just like his immortal art. After several troubles with the law, he was doomed to death in 1606, after committing a murder, and forced to spend the rest of his life escaping from this fate.
His tormented life did not prevent him from creating some of the most outstanding masterpieces in Baroque painting: this private guided tour will allow you to follow the invisible path connecting some of them in Rome, passing through the most iconic places in the Aethernal City. At the end, you will find a sweet surprise: a tasting of eight different tastes of ice cream, served on a palette; in Rome, art is definitely everywhere.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Pass By: Palazzo Madama - Sede del Senato della Repubblica, Piazza Madama, Rome Italy

Apart of a 15th century core, the construction started in 1505 under the direction of Giuliano da Sangallo, when it became the seat of Cardinal Giovanni de'Medici, the future Pope Leone X. The palace has been a Medici's property basically until 1737, when it was acquired by the Lorena family, and later bought by the Papal State (1755). Palazzo Madama became a property of the newly born Italian State in 1871, being the seat of the Italian Senate since then.
The name derives by "Madama Margherita of Austria", wife of duke Alessandro de'Medici, who lived here in the 16th century.

Pass By: Piazza Navona, 00186 Rome Italy

One of the symbols of Baroque in Rome, the square lies in the site previously occupied by the Stadium of Domiziano, used in the Roman Imperial age for athletic games.
The square, in its current layout, stood as a sign of the power of Pamphili family and Pope Innocenzo X (Giovanni Battista Pamphili); it collects some masterpieces by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (the fountain of the Four Rivers), Francesco Borromini (the church of St. Agnes) and Pietro da Cortona (the frescoes of the gallery in Palazzo Pamphili).

Stop At: Church of St. Louis of the French, Piazza San Luigi de' Francesi, 00186 Rome Italy

This church, designed by Giacomo dallaPorta and built between 1518 and 1589, is the official church of the French community in Rome.
It hosts some of Caravaggio's masterpieces: the "Martirio di San Matteo", the "San Matteo e l'angelo" and the "Vocazione di San Matteo".
The interiors were refurbished in the 18th century by French architect Antoine Dérizet.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Basilica di Sant'Agostino in Campo Marzio, Via della Scrofa 80 Piazza di S. Agostino, 00186 Rome Italy

Built between 1420 and 1483, the church features a facade designed by Leon Battista Alberti, on the same inspiration of Santa Maria Novella in Florence. The building material was primarily travertine, coming from the Colosseum.
It hosts one of Caravaggio's masterpieces, the so-called "Madonna dei Pellegrini", painted by the artist as a sign of gratitude towards the parish: indeed, he had been received and protected here, after wounding a rival in love.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Chiesa di Santa Maria del Popolo, Piazza del Popolo 12 Campo Marzio, 00187 Rome Italy

The first core of the church can be dated to the 11th century; between 1472 and 1477 it was enlarged and restyled in a Renaissance style by Giovannino de'Dolci, under Pope Sisto IV.
The current Baroque impression is due to the subsequent interventions of Donato Bramante, Carlo Maderno, Raffaello and finally Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
It hosts some masterpieces by Caravaggio: the "Conversion di San Paolo" and the "Crocifissione di San Pietro".

Duration: 30 minutes