The 2008 Arts and Cultural trip to Italy
On October 24th sixty-five staff and students embarked on a journey soon to be remembered by us all as a great time of learning, camaraderie and exploration. Organised and set in place by the Humanities departments in the school - Latin, History, Religious Studies and Geography – this trip was principally aimed at exposing students to concepts and ideas brought down to us by momentous moments and times in the history of Italy. The Classical world of the Greeks and Romans stood at the forefront of this but so too the marvels and wonders of the rebirth of that world – the Renaissance. Here the links to the broader Arts (Art, Art History, Architecture and Music) became apparent and provided the trip’s connections into our Art and Music departments at the school.
Our trip started with two days based in a not so little known city called Rome. We stayed in a hotel near the busy main railway station of Termini. Arriving by midday at our hotel there was time to unpack and have lunch before heading off on our first trip to the Coliseum and the Forum of the Roman Republic and Empire. Arriving at the Coliseum by mid-afternoon we quickly found our guides Luca and Francesco. Around the Coliseum there was a medley of musicians, stalls and Italian men trying to look like Roman soldiers – and all trying to make us depart with money. Avoiding these we were quickly inside the Coliseum and its still impressively wide skirted interior. Luca and Francesco proved to be guides of great excellence and filled us in with a variety of intriguing insights into the complex and its use in ancient Rome.
Going to the Roman Coliseum was very interesting and educational for me and all the others on the trip. It was a great experience to go to the famous Coliseum where Gladiators and animals fought against each other.
It was also interesting to see how the Coliseum was made and that in Roman times it was possible to go for free. We learnt that the Roman Emperors held great games and spectacles to keep the people of Rome happy and entertained. Tom, Year 9.
In the later afternoon we continued on the Roman Forum. Our guides, Luca and Francesco, proved to be just as knowledgeable of this area. Before our eyes and amidst the ruins they brought to life the edifices of one of the great civilizations in history. Here we saw the Senate House, in another direction the Emperor’s palace and the Palatine Hill, elsewhere the Arch of Titus and the temple to Julius Caesar deified as just some examples. With thanks to our guides for such experiences and with the night time coming on it was time to head to the Time Elevator. Here, students were able to experience a 3d History of Rome experience – moving seats and three screens, as well as surround sound, helped to keep things exciting.
The next morning we headed to the borders of another state – the Vatican City. Here we walked the hallways and galleries of one of the great Museum’s in the world – the Vatican Museums. We discovered famous artworks, rich and decorated courtyards, artifacts of cultures ancient and modern and a long hallway of maps. But perhaps nothing compared to the richly decorated rooms we were soon to encounter. Here works by Raphael competed with Michelangelo’s, but soon even these were to be surpassed for the Sistine Chapel was coming near. Here students had the opportunity to take in the ceiling work of the greatest artist of the Renaissance.
In the afternoon we took a self-guided tour to the outskirts of the Vatican City and took up temporary residence in St Peter’s Square with the famous Basilica behind. Here we observed the symbols and status of a power still – the Roman Catholic Church. But we could tarry not and we soon took a turn into the city centre and to the site of the great temple to the universal gods built by the Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD – the Pantheon. Built at great expense its domed roof would later provide inspiration to Renaissance architects in Florence and it is the burial place of Raphael. It is also a testament to religious changes – being now a Catholic church. Right next to its doors lay another former temple (dedicated to Minerva) and since converted into a church. Mr Murphy O’Connor was able to reveal that this was the Parish church in Rome of his Uncle - Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor.
On our last night in Rome we had a quiz organised by Miss Driver (and won by Mr Roberts and the Year 10 boys), but our next two days were to be spent somewhere a bit different from Rome – the southern coastal region of Sorrento. With our glorious sunny weather continuing we departed by coach down to Sorrento. First though we stopped off in Monte Cassino. Here the oldest monastery in Western Europe had been founded some 1500 years ago. But more importantly for us this was the site of one of the greatest series of battles fought in the 2nd World War – some 250,000 men had died fighting over the mountain we were on and the valley spread below. Poignant moments were had by all when we visited the British and Commonwealth cemetery located below. The graves of 20 year olds brought home to us the grimness of war.
In a more light-hearted manner we were able to enjoy touring and shopping in Sorrento that night. But it was serious business again the next day. Arriving in Pompeii Dolores and her colleague were to be our guides for the morning. We had an enjoyable time exploring villas, main streets, chariot ways, the amphitheatre and even the less savoury places of ancient Pompeii. We saw the castes of some of the people who had died in the explosion of 79AD - even a dog. In the afternoon we headed to Mt Vesuvius, sleeping for the moment, but still steaming in its crater – letting us know that it is around yet. This was living Geography and poignant in its reminder of the power of nature. 
I thought that Mount Vesuvius was a really incredible place. It was hard walking up there because of the thin air but it felt great when I finally reached the top and realised I was level with the clouds and looking down into the crater. Dan, Year 9.
The visit was described by several students as “the best trip I have ever been on”, a view echoed by all of the staff members. The trip was indeed very successful and thanks goes to the students who made the trip experience so worthwhile with their interest and participation in the places visited. Thanks also to the staff (Mr Tregear, Miss Driver, Miss Bennett, Miss Prescott, Mr Anderson and Mrs Smith) who provided such excellent help and guidance.
Mr Murphy O’Connor (Italy Trip Leader) Mr Joshua Roberts (Italy Trip Organiser)
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