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world youth day 2011 |
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Rome, Barcelona, and Madrid ... The Rome, Barcelona, and Madrid churches, cathedrals and monuments have historical significance in the faith and devotion of Catholicism in Western Europe and the Mediterranean. The significance of Rome lies primarily in the fact that it is the city of the pope . The Bishop of Rome, as the successor of St. Peter, is the Vicar of Christ on earth and the visible head of the Catholic Church . Rome is consequently the center of unity in belief, the source of ecclesiastical jurisdiction and the seat of the supreme authority which can bind by its enactments the faithful throughout the world Rome is the heart, home, and spiritual capital for one billion Roman Catholics around the world. St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican offers everyone from the wandering tourist to the devout pilgrim an experience never to be forgotten. For centuries both places have been the pinnacle point of all European pilgrimages. 
Rome, more than any other city, bears witness both to the past splendor of the pagan world and to the triumph of Christianity . It is here that the history of the Church can be traced from the earliest days, from the humble beginnings in the Catacombs to the majestic ritual of St. Peter's. First built in 337, then rebuilt in 1626, St. Peter's Basilica lies over the tomb of St. Peter. For the past 1,800 years, popes, queens, kings, saints, Catholics, non-Catholics, merchants, soldiers, peasants, pilgrims, tourists, and vacationers alike have stepped inside St. Peter's Basilica to both pray, as well as admire the incredible artworks, which reflect the great glory of God. The basilica has also been the site of twenty-one ecumenical councils, numerous canonization ceremonies, and thousands of major papal events. In addition to St. Peter's, Rome also boats dozens of other majestic and masterpiece basilicas and churches, including the Basilica of St. John Lateran (the cathedral and see of the Archdiocese of Rome), the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
The first Mass in the Sistine Chapel was celebrated on August 9, 1483. Michelangelo Buonarroti was commissioned by Pope Julius II della Rovere in 1508 to repaint the ceiling; the work was completed by 1512, and he added the Last Judgment above the altar between 1535 and 1541. At every turn one comes upon places hallowed by the deaths of the martyrs, the lives of innumerable saints, the memories of wise and holy pontiffs . From Rome the bearers of the Gospel message went out to the peoples of Europe and eventually to the uttermost ends of the earth. Few cities have affected more profoundly the course of civilization than Barcelona. In a privileged position on the northeastern coast of the Iberian peninsula and the shores of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain in both size and population. It is also the capital of Catalonia, 1 of the 17 Regions of Spain. There are two official languages spoken in Barcelona: Catalan, generally spoken in all of Catalonia, and Castilian Spanish. The city has a population of 1.7 million, but this number jumps to more than 4 million if the outlying areas are included.
Culture and the arts flourished in Barcelona and in all of Catalonia; the splendor achieved by Catalonian modernism is one of the most patent displays. Barcelona, more than just a single city, is really a collection of multi-faceted and diverse cities. The visitor, unfamiliar with its history, might be surprised that such a modern and enterprising city preserves its historic Gothic center almost intact, or by the curious contrast between the maze of narrow streets and the grid-like layout of the Eixample, the urban planning "Enlargement" project of the end of the 19th century.
The elevated site has always been Barcelona's center of worship. Construction on the cathedral began at the end of the 13th century: the bishops of the time ordered a wide, single nave, 28 side chapels, and an apse with an ambulatory behind a high altar. Work was finally completed in the mid-15th century (although the west facade dates from the 19th c.). The nave, cleaned and illuminated, has some splendid Gothic details. With its large bell towers, blending of medieval and Renaissance styles, high altar, side chapels, handsomely sculptured choir, and Gothic arches, it ranks as one of the most impressive cathedrals in Spain. You can take an elevator to the roof where you can see a wonderful view of Gothic Barcelona (Monday through Saturday from 10:30am to 1:30pm and 5:00 to 6:00pm. In a privileged position on the northeastern coast of the Iberian peninsula and the shores of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain in both size and population. It is also the capital of Catalonia, 1 of the 17 Regions of Spain. There are two official languages spoken in Barcelona: Catalan, generally spoken in all of Catalonia, and Castilian Spanish. The city has a population of 1.7 million, but this number jumps to more than 4 million if the outlying areas are included.
The Principe (Prince) Doorway, on the east side of the building, leads to the central courtyard. The Sabatini gardens as well as the Campo del Moro (Moor's Field) are two other notable attractions of the Palace, along with all of its façades. There are conflicting views as to categorizing it within a specific style, as some parts are more Baroque while others are Neoclassical - in essence depending on the architect. The most outstanding of the inside rooms are Alabarderos Hall, Columnas (Columns) Hall, Espejos (Mirrors) Hall and the King Charles III of Spain's Room. Several of these rooms house paintings by Velazquez, Goya, Rubens, El Greco and Caravaggio.
In 1868, Madrid received permission from the archbishop of Toledo to construct a new church dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena. Construction began in 1883 based on a Neo-Gothic design. The first part to be completed was the crypt, which today still retains the 16th-century image of Madrid's patroness the Virgen de la Almudena. Construction on the cathedral progressed slowly and came to a complete halt during the civil war of the 1930s. The process was picked up again in 1944, when a new architect introduced a Neoclassical style that would match the Royal Palace next door. Almudena Cathedral was completed in 1993 and consecrated by Pope John Paul II that same year; a statue of the pope in front of the cathedral commemorates the occasion. These three cities of Rome, Barcelona, and Madrid and areas around them stand as foundation stones of the faith and truth for youth and elder alike.These historical areas stand as foundation stones of the faith and truth for youth and elder alike. Young Christians from around the world will be welcomed to Madrid Spain, in August 2011 for the 21th World Youth Day. They will participate in various papal activities and gatherings carrying on the special tradition in celebration of universal faith and fellowship. Club Europa invites you and your youth group to participate in this wonderful pilgrimage. |
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INCLUDED ARE:
NOT INCLUDED ARE:
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Please BE FLEXIBLE when you plan your pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2011: The flight situation will be extremely tight, especially if everybody wants to return home on Monday, August 22. There is no guarantee that space on the flights for these exact dates will be available; be prepared to add a night or to do the pre-tour (Rome and Barcelona) AFTER World Youth Day. |
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> world youth
day >
sample tour 5 > PDF brochure
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Breakfast at hotel.
Day 6 - Aug 14 - Sunday 
Day 8 - Aug 16 - Tuesday
Day 12 - Aug 20 - Saturday
Built between 1475 and 1483, in the time of Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere, the Sistine Chapel originally served as Palatine Chapel. The chapel is rectangular in shape and is 40.93 meters long by 13.41 meters wide, i.e. the exact dimensions of the Temple of Solomon, as given in the Old Testament. It is 20.7 meters high and is roofed by a flattened barrel vault, with little side vaults over the centered windows. 
Barcelona is clearly a Mediterranean city, not only because of its geographic location but also and above all because of its history, tradition and cultural influences. The documented history of the city dates back to the founding of a Roman colony on its soil in the second century B.C. Modern Barcelona experienced spectacular growth and economic revival at the onset of industrialization during the second half of the 19th century. The 1888 World's Fair became a symbol of the capacity for hard work and the international outlook projected by the city. 
Barcelona's cathedral ‘La Seu’ is a celebrated example of Catalan Gothic architecture. Its spires can be seen from almost all over the Barri Gòtic and the large square upon which it resides, the Plaça de la Seu, one of the neighborhood's main thoroughfares. 
The Royal Palace of Madrid was built in the eighteenth century by order of Philip V, on an ancient fortress site, that had previously been a Muslim castle. Sachetti began the work in 1738, and it was completed in 1764. The base of the building is square with a large central courtyard. 
The site on which Almudena Cathedral now stands was originally occupied by Madrid's first mosque, then by a church dedicated to one of Madrid's patron saints, Santa María de la Almudena. 