Rick Steves' Europe — Season 12
Get ready for a fresh journey across Europe with Rick Steves! Season 12 delivers a dozen brand new episodes, offering captivating glimpses into the continent’s stunning art and architecture. Immerse yourself in the story of Western Civilization as Rick unveils its beauty – from venturing inside ancient burial sites to marveling at Michelangelo's breathtaking dome, gliding through opulent palaces, and reflecting on artistic brilliance spanning millennia, from the sculptures of Praxiteles to the paintings of Picasso. It’s Europe’s rich history, presented in inspiring, easily digestible episodes.
With the receding glaciers of the Ice Age, prehistoric Europe flourished with art of remarkable sophistication. From Ireland to France, Scotland to the Greek Isles, we journey into this enigmatic world of colossal stone monuments, cave pain…
From sun-drenched islands to the rugged mainland and vibrant Athens, ancient Greece established the bedrock of Western art. We follow the unfolding of Greek culture, pausing to admire the enduring Acropolis, the flawless Parthenon, and the …
The ascent of Rome unfolds through its remarkable art, beginning in the city’s modest origins within the Forum. Gradually, grand monuments appear – the awe-inspiring Pantheon with its soaring dome, and the Colosseum, where gladiators fought…
The sprawling reach of ancient Rome bequeathed a shared cultural heritage to Europe. From England to Turkey, we journey to explore the empire's most impressive cities, admiring their lavish artistry, majestic aqueducts, and vibrant theaters…
Following Rome’s decline, the Christians of Europe preserved culture through art deeply entwined with their faith. We find evidence of this in the robust Romanesque churches, their walls adorned with works that affirmed the established powe…
By the year 1000, Europe's burgeoning wealth found expression in magnificent Gothic cathedrals, adorned with vibrant altarpieces, intricate stonework, and luminous stained glass. We journey to opulent castles to behold exquisite tapestries …
Following a period of medieval turmoil, Europe turned once more to the artistic traditions of antiquity, with Florence at the forefront of this revival. We find delight in the audacious spirit embodied by the Cathedral’s soaring dome and Bo…
Born in Italy, the Renaissance swept across Europe, fundamentally reshaping the world of art. In Spain and Portugal, wealth gleaned from overseas ventures found expression in intricate architecture and the visionary paintings of El Greco. M…
Born from the fervent religious conflicts of Europe, Baroque art both inspired devotion and captivated audiences. Our journey begins in Rome, at St. Peter's Basilica, a place of breathtaking grandeur, where Bernini’s sculpted figures seem a…
The year is approximately 1800, and Europe stood at a crossroads, a duality mirrored in its art. Grand Neoclassical structures, adorned with columns and domes, dominated the great cities. Yet, the recent Revolution had ignited a fervent yea…
In the late 1800s, established ideals of beauty faced a radical shift, championed by artists pushing the boundaries of convention. We find enduring pleasure in the groundbreaking works of the Impressionists—Monet's water lilies, Renoir's po…
The turbulent 20th century in Europe gave rise to a vibrant array of innovative art. Across the continent—from Spain to Hungary, Glasgow to Oslo—we explore works that are wild, colorful, surreal, and undeniably joyful. The compelling art of…
