Rick Steves' Europe: Season 12
Season 12 of Rick Steves' Europe features a dozen new episodes showcasing Europe's great art and architecture in bite-size chunks. Join Rick as he explores the rise of Western Civilization as seen through Europe's most beautiful and evocative art: climbing deep into prehistoric tombs, summiting Michelangelo's magnificent dome, waltzing through glittering palaces, and pondering artistic genius from Praxiteles to Picas
Season 12 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Rick Steves' Europe Season 11.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Season overview
Season 12 of Rick Steves' Europe features a dozen new episodes showcasing Europe's great art and architecture in bite-size chunks. Join Rick as he explores the rise of Western Civilization as seen through Europe's most beautiful and evocative art: climbing deep into prehistoric tombs, summiting Michelangelo's magnificent dome, waltzing through glittering palaces, and pondering artistic genius from Praxiteles to Picasso.
Episode Guide
Season 12 Progress Shield
Art of Prehistoric Europe
Oct 1, 2023 · 26 min
As the Ice Age glaciers melted, prehistoric Europe bloomed with surprisingly sophisticated art. From Ireland to France, Scotland to the Greek Isles, we traverse that mystical world
Art of Ancient Greece
Oct 1, 2023 · 26 min
Ancient Greece laid the foundations of Western art. Traveling from its sun-splashed isles to the rugged mainland to bustling Athens, we trace the rise of Greek culture. We marvel a
Ancient Roman Art
Oct 1, 2023 · 26 min
We follow Rome's rise through its awe-inspiring art, starting at Rome's humble birthplace in the Forum. Soon Rome is graced with supersized monuments like the majestic domed Panthe
Art of the Roman Empire
Oct 1, 2023 · 26 min
With its vast empire, ancient Rome gave Europe its first common culture. From England to Turkey, we explore the greatest Roman cities, marveling at their over-the-top art, soaring
Art of the Early Middle Ages
Oct 1, 2023 · 26 min
After Rome's fall, Europe's Christians kept culture alive with art rooted in their deep faith. We visit sturdy Romanesque churches filled with art that reinforced the ruling order.
Art of the High Middle Ages
Oct 1, 2023 · 26 min
As Europe passed AD 1000, its growing prosperity was reflected in soaring Gothic cathedrals graced with colorful altarpieces, lacy stonework, and radiant stained glass. We visit lu
Art of the Florentine Renaissance
Oct 1, 2023 · 26 min
After its medieval struggles, Europe rediscovered the art of the ancients, led by booming Florence. We revel in the bold spirit of the Cathedral's lofty dome and Botticelli's sweet
Art of the Renaissance Beyond Florence
Oct 1, 2023 · 26 min
From Italy, the Renaissance spread across Europe, revolutionizing art. We travel to Spain and Portugal where overseas plunder is transformed into lacy architecture and ethereal pai
Baroque Art
Oct 1, 2023 · 26 min
Forged in Europe's religious struggles, Baroque art inspired the faithful and dazzled the masses. We start in Rome, with its awe-inspiring St. Peter's, fleshy Bernini statues and b
Art of the Neoclassical and Romantic Ages
Oct 1, 2023 · 26 min
Around 1800, Europe was in transition, reflected in two art styles. First, we visit Europe's great cities with their stately Neoclassical buildings of columns and domes. Meanwhile,
Art of the Impressionists and Beyond
Oct 1, 2023 · 26 min
The late-1800s saw old notions of beauty challenged by revolutionary artists. We enjoy pioneering Impressionist works — Monet's lilies, Renoir's ladies, Degas' snapshots and Rodin'
Art of the 20th Century
Oct 1, 2023 · 26 min
Europe's tumultuous 20th century spawned a kaleidoscope of cutting-edge art. From Spain to Hungary, Glasgow to Oslo, we seek out all that's wild, colorful, surreal, and just plain