Wiedza o Italii i jej mieszkańcach w wileńskim Collegium Nobilium Societatis Jesu

ENThe Collegium Nobilium in Vilnius was set up in 1752. It was there that the Jesuits educated future offi cials, members of Parliament, senators, diplomats and politicians. The Jesuits wanted every Grand Tour (especially to Italy) to be preceded by education in their college. Professors made the youth aware of the cultural ties with Europe. The knowledge about the European cultural heritage, particularly in reference to Italy, constituted a permanent element of Jesuit education. Graduates of the Collegium Nobilium got acquainted with the location, size and borders of Italy, its political and administrative division, its biggest cities, academies and the seats of the Inquisition. They also acquired information about the climate, waters, mountains and mineral resources, the population, religion, the government, the army, the coats of arms and currency. One of the manners to examine students’ knowledge were school disputes and exams. During meals future politicians and diplomats presented prerogatives of the Pope, the ruling dynasties, but also debated about marvelous harbours, fortifi cations, cities, their architecture, monuments, museums and libraries. Students of the Collegium Nobilium were taught that Italians were superior to other nations in the fi elds of architecture, painting, woodcarving, music, rhetoric and poetry. It was believed that apart from the climate it was the esthetic factors that constituted the main factor shaping the character and intellectual predilections of Italians. Th is nation was presented as the creators of culture, direct inheritors of ancient culture, which continued to affect their perfect taste and inspired their creative abilities.