UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (UVA)

The buildings and plans of the University of Virginia (UVA) were designed by Thomas Jefferson himself, who, very involved in educational issues, wanted to make it an "academic village" where students and professors had to evolve in close proximity within a university campus. In imagining this ambitious project, Jefferson wanted to foster the emergence of an enlightened elite, free from over-theological teaching, which he considered necessary for the consolidation of the young democratic American nation. Even today, the campus is grandiose and superb: it is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most impressive building is the magnificent rotunda, inspired by the Pantheon of Rome, which houses the University's library.

The Rotunda. It is the symbol of the campus and has been used by other university models such as Duke University, Johns Hopkins University and Rice University. For the anecdote, it represents half the height of the Pantheon of Rome.

Schools. The rotunda is therefore a must for a visit to the university, but do not hesitate to get lost on campus and discover the different schools it houses, in particular the school of architecture, a beautiful modern all-glass building, the business school with its classic brick architecture decorated with imposing white columns or the school of engineering, established in 1836 and the oldest engineering school in the southern United States and the fourth oldest in the country.

Among other things, do not miss the Alderman Library, the Lawn Park which houses many beautiful buildings or monuments such as Pavilion VII, the Arrow Sundial, the statue of Homer or the East Gardens. If you have time, push to Madison Bowl Park and the George Rogers Clark statue, not to mention the Nau Hall.