VENERABLE ENGLISH COLLEGE OPENS ITS DOORS
VENERABLE ENGLISH COLLEGE OPENS ITS DOORS
The Venerable English College, an institution that dates back to the Middle Ages, is now open for guided tours every Saturday throughout 2026.
The College, which is still a seminary training Roman Catholic priests from England and Wales, is situated in the heart of Rome near the historic Campo di Fiori market, houses important works of art from the 16th and 17th century by Durante Alberti, Andrea Pozzi, PierLuigi Pozzi and Pomarancio inside the College Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury, while the crypt contains an important crucifix by the school of Antoniazzo Romano.
First founded in 1362 as a hospice to provide lodgings for English and Welsh pilgrims visiting the Holy City of Rome, distinguished guests over the centuries have included John Milton and Thomas Cromwell. During Holy Year of 1500, it gave hospitality to 750 pilgrims. In 1579 the seminary was founded and continues in this role to the present day.
The tour contains many points of interest, including the Refectory with a monumental painting depicting “Christ in the House of the Pharisee” and a fresco of St. George and the Dragon” by Andrea Pozzo, the labyrinth al medieval crypt and remains of a tract of the ancient Roman Via Triumphalis consular road which ran under the building foundations.
Guided tours in English at 10.30 on Saturday mornings, in Italian at 11.30, run the Mirabilia Art Wonders organization.
Info: www.artwonders.it