For the first time in its nearly 700-year history, the Venerable English College in Rome is offering tours of its hallowed halls to the public.
It has brought an English presence to Rome since 1362, when it served as a hospice center for pilgrims. But since 1579, the College has been a place of study for seminarians and priests from Wales and England.
The new tour will take visitors through the College's history and highlights, including its unique collection of relics.
FR. STEPHEN WANG
Rector, Venerable English College
When you walk into the main Church of the College, you can see under the altar a golden box, a reliquary, which contains some of the most precious relics of the College. And three in particular are really important to us. One is St.
Ralph Sherwin.
Our two patron saints, which is St. Thomas of Canterbury and St. Edmund, King and martyr.
Also inside the College's Church, the public will be able to see artwork on the high altar that dates back to 1581, as well as a series of 34 paintings that show the stories of Welsh and English saints and martyrs. The tour also includes various other historical works and grounds of the institution.
The hour-long tours of the Venerable English College are offered every Saturday and are available in both Italian and English.
JD
