Rome: Borromini, The Insufferable Genius self-guided mobile tour
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Rome: Borromini, The Insufferable Genius self-guided mobile tour
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Rome: Borromini, The Insufferable Genius self-guided mobile tour

2h30
About this activity
The tour follows the life of Borromini from his birth to his suicide and employs iconic buildings in Rome (both churches and palaces) to demonstrate the guiding principles of his architectural style and the influence exercised on his work by the rivalry of Bernini and his difficult relationships with his patrons and the Roman society at large.
The tour begins at St. Peter’s Basilica and its impressive baldachin, the large sculpted bronze canopy produced by the combined efforts of Bernini and Borromini. As you walk outside and you stand in the middle of St. Peter’s Square you are invited to consider the difficulties faced by Borromini, a quarrelsome but talented man who was not willing to adjust to the social codes of his time to win the acceptance of potential clients. And yet he managed to change forever the face of Rome, as is evident on the basilica of S. Giovanni dei Fiorentini and the Oratorio dei Filippini where Borromini almost fulfilled his ambition of building a façade from a single piece of terracotta.
Piazza Navona is defined by Borromini’s work and ideas. The beautification of Piazza Navona was instigated by Pope Innocent X and S. Agnese was the final element in the overall plan. The pope entrusted Borromini with the building of the church of S. Agnese in Agone but it was his misfortune to see his work pass into the hands of his great rival, Bernini. One should not fail to study the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi; a popular story claims that Rio de la Plata seems to struggle to avert his gaze from S. Agnese, as if Bernini wanted to protect him from the sight of his opponent’s façade.
Borromini also excelled in lay architecture. This tour enables you to admire his novel ideas and competent hand in an inspiring assortment of buildings such as Palazzo Barberini, Palazzo Falconieri and the Collegio di Propaganda Fide. It concludes at one of Borromini’s signature works, the innovative concave surface of S. Carlo alle Quattro Fontane.
To take this self-guided tour you will need the app on your iOS or Android device.
HIGHLIGHTS
• See the mysterious and exciting concentric circles of the dome of S. Andrea delle Fratte.
• Climb the oval-shaped spiral of the impressive staircase at Palazzo Barberini.
• Study the geometric shapes that form the dome of S. Ivo alla Sapienza, the best example of the Baroque ideals of movement in architecture.
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Included
  • Self-guided tour for your smartphone in English and Greek
  • Offline content with offline interactive map and signature stories
  • Secure promo code to access the tour after downloading the app with no extra fees
Not included
  • Smartphone
  • App not available for Windows phones
  • Transportation to/from attractions
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Please note that this is an audio self-guided tour. No VR / AR is included, no physical guide will accompany you.
  • You must have an Android or iOS smartphone for this digital tour.
  • After booking, you will receive an email with your personal promo code and instructions to download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and unlock this tour.
  • The tour is yours to use at any moment you wish according to your schedule and also repeat any time.
  • Usage of headphones is recommended, in order to best enjoy this multimedia (audio, photos & text) self-guided tour.
  • Book per device to be used, not per participant.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Features
Tourism
85%
Cultural
65%
Original
35%
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