Rome, Italy, is a city where ancient streets pulse with energy and the people bring a unique warmth to every corner of the capital. Going to Rome with the school was an experience that I will never forget. Each day of the trip was filled with a wealth of history and culture. Getting to see the ancient places that we learn about in class was eye-opening and astonishing at the sheer size and grandeur of them. As Mr. Taylor would often say during the trip, “The pictures don’t do it justice.” A statement I would grow to agree with more and more as each day passed. While Rome is known for its rich history, it is also known for its people and food. One of the places that we visited showed the liveliness of Rome, was Piazza Navona. Piazza Novanna is a plaza that is filled with many mini shops and restaurants. Along with all the wonderful restaurants and shops, there was an abundance of churches and chapels. After soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of Piazza Navona, we ventured to a different yet equally captivating site: The Vatican City.
During our time in Rome, we visited the Vatican City, where we saw the famous St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. In the Vatican, we got to see some of the historic works of Machael Angelo and learn about his witty personality and how he incorporated it into his artwork. Later that day, we got to walk through St. Paul’s Basilica, where St. Paul was buried. It was fascinating learning about how religion in Rome shaped some of the architecture. In St. Paul’s Basilica, for example, it was constructed with a classic, large, rectangular hall featuring a central nave and side aisles separated by columns. High on the walls above the columns, a clerestory with windows allows light into the space. In addition to the classic interior, it was built with 2 wings to the left and right of the building, making the shape of the building resemble a cross.
We also learned a lot about the political history of Rome. Walking through the ruins, we learned how Rome’s early government functioned and how its innovations still influence modern democracies. Though we did see many historical and ancient aspects of Italy, such as Pompeii, Castel Gondolpho, The Pope’s Palace, The Pantheon, The Roman Forum, and The Caracalla Baths, we got to experience many things that are present in our time! The food in Italy was amazing. Arriving in Rome, I thought that the food would be on the bland side. However, the food was extremely rich. We even got to make our own Tiramisu and Fettuccini.
While I don’t have one single favorite part of the Rome Trip, one of my favorite parts was visiting the Colosseum. The size of the Colosseum was humbling when visualizing the sheer size and importance it held during ancient times.
I also wanted to appreciate our wonderful tour guide, Alice, for taking us around Rome. She is the sweetest person ever, and I wish her the best! I also wanted to thank all of our chaperones, Mr. Cowles, Mrs. Jarsdorfer, Mrs. Prokopowich, and Mr. Taylor. The trip wouldn’t have gone the way it did without them. Thank you all so much for making this trip possible and making it so memorable.
Gallery photos courtesy of Mary Beth Wright
