Conference Visits Rome 2023

EFTRE 15th Conference in Rome 2023
Visits

Visits at choice

  1. The Great Synagogue and Jewish quarters in Rome
  2. The Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome
  3. Catacombs of Rome
  4. Encounter with the Muslim Community in Rome
  5. Vatican Collection of Modern Religious Art

Details about the Visits

Visit No.1
The Great Synagogue and Jewish quarters in Rome

led by Bianca Kappelhoff

During the visit, we will enjoy a guided tour through the synagogue of Rome. It was built in 1904 in the area of the former ghetto. The Jewish community has been living continuously in Rome for 2,200 years, making it one of the oldest communities outside of Israel. Exploring the Jewish quarters in Rome afterwards, we will learn about how the Jewish community lives nowadays in the eternal city.

Visit No.2
The Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome

led by Elisabeth Faber

The visit will mostly be a hands on visit. After a short presentation of the Non-Catholic Cemetery and its history, and how I use field work as a method in RE in Upper Secundary Education in Denmark, the participants will try out the method by analyzing the cemetery as such and individual graves.
The Non-Catholic Cemetery is situated close to Cestius Pyramid and is a peaceful oasis in Rome.

Adress: via Caio Cestio 6, 00153 Roma
Website: https://www.cemeteryrome.it/about/about.html

Visit No.3
Catacombs of Rome

led by Sonja Danner

Catacombs di San Sebastiano

This cemetery, named after the martyr St. Sebastian, who is buried here, was originally called “ad catacumbas”. According to the widely acknowledged explanation, the name signifies “near the hollows”, because of the mines of tuff located in this area. The name was later used generally to indicate all subterranean Christian cemeteries.

Another ancient name of the cemetery was “Apostolic Memorial” (Memoria Apostolorum). The name derives from the liturgical celebrations, dedicated to the Apostles Peter and Paul, which took place here for a limited period in the first centuries.

From the first century, the site had been intensely exploited and constructed upon. The caves and the tunnels of the mines were used for pagan and Christian rectangular wall tombs (loculi), as well smaller tombs (colombari) used to house urns. At least two residential buildings were constructed above ground, especially noted for their interior wall painting decorations. Around the middle of the second century, a cave-in occurred, and in the square which was constructed above ground, three mausoleums were built, respectively belonging to Clodius Hermes, the Innocentores and “sub Ascia”. Later this area was again covered over and a portico enclosed by a wall (triclia) was built. Along the wall, hundreds of graffiti writings, dedicated to Peter and Paul, have been deciphered. Around the year 258, the religious celebrations commemorating the two Apostles were transferred to the site, and the emperor Constantine (306-337) had a grandisose circiform basilica constructed in the honour of the Apostles. Meanwhile, the catacomb had been developing underground from the third century. As it is well known from archeological and literary sources, the martyrs Sebastian and Eutychius were buried here.

Visit No.4
Encounter with the Muslim Community in Rome

led by Norman Richardson

Big Mosque of Rome and Cultural center

The Mosque of Rome (Italian: Moschea di Roma) is located in the north of the city at the foot of Mount Parioli, in the Acqua Acetosa area, and is one of the largest mosques outside Islamic countries. The central prayer hall can accommodate about 2500 worshippers.

The mosque is the seat of the Centro Culturale Islamico d’Italia (Islamic Cultural Centre of Italy) and thus not only a religious meeting place, but also offers cultural and social services for both Sunni and Shiite Muslims. Weddings, funeral ceremonies, exegeses and other religious events are held. For more information see: https://www.facebook.com/centroislamicoculturale

Visit No.5
Vatican Collection of Modern Religious

led by Hugo Verkest

After the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) there was the intention to create links between the Catholic Church and contemporary culture. It was Pope Paul VI (1963-1978) who took the initiative to establish a collection of Modern Art. Several artists donated one of their master pieces. During our visit we will discover artists who could be considered as bridge builders over trouble waters.  It will be a journey in slow motion using different methods to explore religious art from the point of view of teachers. The key-questions will be: What made/makes art religious? How can we discover the spiritual narrative behind the paintings and sculptures?