Content:
From the middle of the 17th to the 19th century, European (mainly male) elites embarked on the Grand Tour: a transformative journey complementing their classical education. This expedition led them through diverse landscapes, rich in heritage, ultimately culminating in their much-anticipated destination: Rome, and for some, even South Italy and Greece. During the Grand Tour travelers not only experienced antiquity through the explorations of ruins, museums, and collections but also by attending opera and theatre performances, featuring ancient themes. These spectacles brought the ruins visited by the European elites to life on stage, establishing vivid images and concepts of the past in their minds.
Guided by tutors, the Grand Tour travelers documented their experiences in letters, diaries, and illustrated notebooks, which sometimes evolved into travel literature. The travelers ignited their passions, encompassing the beauty of landscapes, architecture, ruins, cultural traditions, socio-political structures, social gatherings, collecting, museums, the art market, and reproductions. They also bought artifacts to decorate their homes, both scientifically and artistically. This phenomenon thrived as transportation and accommodations improved, resulting in the social proliferation of the Grand Tour. Furthermore, it laid the foundation for a unified European culture with a strong scientific underpinning, notably through antiquarianism and archaeology.
The Grand Tour's lasting influence is evident in how we study, preserve, and present history today. This impact is seen in narratives, collections, education, aesthetics, and tourist options. However, ongoing efforts aim to diversify and modernize this tradition by expanding geographic focus, amplifying marginalized voices, and utilizing new technologies for more inclusive cultural practices.
We welcome contributions exploring various facets of the Grand Tour, comprising collecting, museums, art markets, archaeology, the fusion of Arts and Letters, itinerary design, identity formation, local development, and its contemporary relevance in both tangible and intangible realms. We also encourage submissions using digital technologies.
Keywords:
Grand Tour and classical education, Antiquarianism and Archaeology, Arts and Letters, Collections and Museums, Grand Tour today