Updates for Valdocco and the Catacombs of St. Callistus
(ANS – Rome – April 20) –
Valdocco, the beating heart of the Salesian world; and the catacombs of St. Callistus,
a space rooted to the origins of Christianity, for decades entrusted to the
care of the Salesian Congregation, are both places of great spirituality and
pilgrimage, and both have recently renewed their websites.
The new website of the Salesian Motherhouse, www.valdocco.it, went online this month. Characterized by a fresh and simple graphic layout, it immerses the user in the generous complexity of Valdocco. The first access screen to the site – designed specifically by artist Salesian coadjutor Bro. Luigi Zonta – immediately reveals the different co-existing realities via interactive hotspots.
The site is divided into several sections and can
be viewed quickly by the scrolling of a single page, which immediately unveils the
diverse richness of the cultural, religious, and formative offer of Don Bosco’s
house. Through the new website, it is
indeed possible to reach the entire “digital galaxy” hosted within Valdocco: the website of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians
with its reception and hospitality facilities and the services available to
pilgrims [apparently this is the only one that includes an English-language
option]; Missioni Don Bosco; the Salesian province of Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta;
Mary Help of Christians Parish; the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales; the
Valdocco Middle School; the province’s Youth Ministry Office; the Valdocco Technical
School; and the Salesian University College.
The Catacombs of St. Callistus are one of
the largest and best preserved of Rome’s ancient Christian burial grounds. Sixteen popes, dozens of martyrs, and many other
Christians were buried within the complex. The Salesians have been entrusted to the care
of all this enormous sacred, historical, and cultural heritage site since the
pontificate of Pius XI. The new website –
www.catacombe.roma.it –
is
a means to access this capital: there is
news on the history and symbolism of the catacombs, description of the
itineraries and environments to be seen, references to inscriptions,
historiographical anecdotes, archaeological interpretations, etc. And, of course, there are sections with practical
information for visiting pilgrims.
Characterized by a strongly visual compact and able
to capture immediately the viewer’s attention with evocative images of the
whole complex, the site is available in Italian, English, Spanish, French,
German, and Polish. It also contains
special modules for booking groups and Mass celebrations.
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