Quo vadis

This famous 1896 historical novel from the Nobel Prize-winning author, set in ancient Rome, depicts the beginnings of the Christian church against a backdrop of real historical events.

The main protagonist, the extravagant Roman Vinicius, falls in love with the Christian Lygia and, under her influence, is baptised. However, a tragedy is brewing.

The decadent Emperor Nero has Rome set ablaze to find inspiration for his poem, but terrified of the reaction from the discontented populace, he decides to shift the blame for the tragedy onto the Christians. This marks the beginning of their first cruel persecution, which does not spare the title heroes either.

The evocative image of a burning Rome symbolises the fall of the Roman Empire, while the burning crosses of the Christians, whose faith is spreading among the oppressed population, herald a new era.