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Rick Steves' Europe
Art Bites 141: Feudalism, Christianity, and the Art of Monks
From the chaos and power vacuum that followed the fall of Rome rose feudalism and Europe’s monastic movement. For centuries monasteries were the center of culture and monks were the great artists beautifully illustrating the books they transcribed.
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Seductive Venice; cultured Florence; charming hill towns; eternal Rome; Naples; Sicily.
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Warsaw's heavy history and lively bustle; red-brick Toruń; Malbork Castle; maritime Gdańsk.
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Kraków's grand square, Wawel Castle, communist-era Nowa Huta; sobering Auschwitz-Birkenau.
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The ultimate road trip; Lake Mývatn; Eastfjords; lagoons and waterfalls; Westman Islands.
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The vibrant capital; Blue Lagoon; Golden Circle's majestic nature; Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
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The turbulent century and its rule-breaking art—Picasso, Surrealism and edgy architecture.
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Shimmering Impressionist canvases by Monet and Renoir, plus Van Gogh, Gauguin and more.
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Roaming Europe, we admire stately Neoclassical buildings and dramatic Romantic paintings.
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We marvel at Baroque’s over-the-top churches, palaces, bubbly fountains, and theatric art.
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From Portugal to Germany, booming economies and new technologies produce exquisite art.
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Florence’s bold “rebirth” is powered by the genius of Leonardo, Rafael, and Michelangelo.
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Soaring Gothic cathedrals of radiant stained glass, plus art celebrating worldly pleasure.