2025 Tours For an overview of 2025 dates, click here Idyllically located in unspoilt countryside between Siena – ‘the best-preserved, 
The Via Francigena, or ‘Frankish Road’, was the main road from Rome via the Great St Bernard Pass to territories 
Since being established in 2000, the Ad Terrae Gloriam (ATG) Trust has supported numerous worthwhile projects throughout the areas we visit in Europe and further afield. See below for a synopsis of completed projects. The Trust is always looking for new projects on our trips to invest in. If you have an idea the Trust would be delighted to hear from you! Contact Jessica Jenkins, Trust Secretary, via email: jessicaj@atg-oxford.com.
Turner’s House Trust
The ATG Trust committed to supporting the Turner’s House Trust by contributing to the production of a film about Turner and the restoration work being undertaken at his house, Sandycombe Lodge, in Twickenham, London. The documentary will enhance the learning experience for visitors to Turner’s House.
Sandycombe Lodge
Restoration of 14C Frescoes in Umbria
The Romanesque Abbey of San Pietro on ATG’s Unknown Umbria route was founded in 742, and the present church dates from a reconstruction in 10-11C. This project restored the fresco of the ‘Madonna & Saints’, dating from the 14th century, which is located in the right apse of the Abbey.
Romanesque Abbey of San Pietro in Vallee, founded in 742
restored ‘Madonna and Saints’
Restoration of Irini Chapel, Crete
This chapel, on ATG’s Western Crete trip, is the only one with frescoes dating from the 14th century. The project restored the shrine and preserved the Byzantine frescoes for future generations. Hand-made Byzantine-style roof tiles have been fitted and the building is now water-tight so the frescoes inside are protected from further damage. The local Euorphoriate is carrying out work to restore the frescoes.
Chapel housing 14C frescoes
San Eutizio path, Umbria, Italy: (image at top – opening ceremony with Lord Leon Brittan)… Restoration of eroded parts of pathway, dating back to the period pre-St. Benedict (5C), linking the town of Norcia with the 13thC Abbey of S Eutizio. ATG trip: Unknown Umbria (escorted)
Mahout School, Laos: The establishment of a school based at the Laos Elephant Sanctuary to provide quality training to mahouts to enable them to work in tourism as tour guides and leaders of elephant treks. ATG trip: Discovering Laos & Cambodia
Mahout school, Laos Elephant Sanctuary
Bevagna Madonna, Umbria, Italy: Following the Assisi earthquate, restoration of a 13th century wooden sculpture of the crucifixion, which belonged to the town’s patron saint, San Giacomo. ATG trips: Way to Assisi (escorted); Umbria & Assisi (independent)
13th century wooden sculpture of the crucifixion, Bevagna, Italy
Rozmberk Shines – 12 Stations of the Cross, Czech Republic: Restoration of shrines of the Stations of the Cross along a forest Path leading up to the Castle of Rozmberk, Studenec, damaged during the communist era.
Bedouin Candles, Jordan This project was to create a candle-making workshop, as an income for the Bedouin, as an alternative to previous ecologically damaging land use practices. ATG trip: Discovering Jordan
Candles produced by Bedouin women
Gavelli Frescoes parts 1& 2, Umbria, Italy Restoration of a fine cycle of frescos by Lo Spagna 1518 in a church in Gavelli, a small village in Umbria. ATG trips: Unknown Umbria, Flowers of Umbria (escorted); Umbria & Spoleto (independent)
Spectacular Lo Spagna frescoes, Gavelli, Italy
Repair of the Azogres Bridge, Crete Repair and restoration of an unsafe 19C bridge along a historical path from Azogyres to Anidri, which leads to the Monastery of Saint John the Foreigner and the 99 Fathers. ATG trip: Western Crete (escorted)
Beautiful Azogres bridge, Crete
Tomba della Sirena Tuscany, Italy The restoration of La Tomba Della Sirena – The Tomb of the Mermaid – which is one of the fine array of Etruscan tombs to be found in Sovana. ATG trips: Unknown Tuscany (escorted); Etruscan Lanes to Orvieto (independent)
Etruscan ‘Tomb of the Mermaid’, Sovana, Italy
Restoration of Four de Py Bread Oven, Dordogne This is a small building of remarkable heritage. The project was to restore the existing building to its original traditional character. ATG trip: Lot & Dodorgne (independent)
Restored bread oven in Py, France
Laikipia reforestation, Kenya The degraded land afforestation project aims to reverse severe soil erosion and improve soil fertility.
Land prepared for new saplings
Yew Forest Conservation, Garrotxa, Spain The European Yew (Taxus baccata L.) is a protected tree, highly prized for medical applications, the conservation of yew trees is of great ecological significance.
1,000-year old yew tree
Restoration of Tuixent Madonna, Catalonia, Spain Restoration of a striking statuette of the Madonna in the church in Tuixent. The Madonna is of Byzantine inspiration, dating 12-13C ATG trip: Unknown Catalunya
Byzantine Madonna, Tuixent, Spain
Restoration of Santa Roma Church, Catalonia, Spain The conservation of this Romanesque church – an architectural gem, to restore it to full usage to attract travellers to benefit the local tourist economy ATG trip: Unknown Catalunya
The beautiful church of Santa Roma, Catalonia, Spain
Damaraland Centre for Education and Vocational Training, Namibia To re-furbish the existing centre at Mai Go Hai, Palmwag, creating a training and administrative centre, to train local people as Rangers. ATG trip: Discovering Namibia
La Madonna di Loreto – Restoration of church, La Morra, Piedmont, Italy Restoration of the small church of La Madonna di Loreto stands proudly overlooking vineyards outside the little town of La Morra. ATG trip: Paths to Barolo (escorted)
Madonna di Loreto church, Piedmont, Italy
Church of San Leolino, Restoration of 15C Polyptych, Tuscany, Italy The restoration of the 15th Century Polyptych by Mariotto di Nardo, located in the apse of the church. ATG trips: Siena to Florence (escorted); Siena, Chianti & Florence (independent)
15th Century Polyptych, San Leolino church, Panzano, Italy
Geraci Roman Road, Sicily The conservation of a section of the Roman road between Gangi and Geraci, including a fine Roman bridge. ATG trips: Sicily: From the Centre to the Sea (escorted & independent)
Restored Roman road and bridge, Sicily
Butterfly Conservation, UK The large blue butterfly is being re-introduced to areas in the UK following its extinction in 1979.
The elegant Large Blue…
The Trust is always looking for new projects on our trips to invest in. If you have an idea the Trust would be delighted to hear from you! Contact Jessica Jenkins, Trust Secretary, on (44) 01865 315 613, or jessicaj@atg-oxford.com.