Rome Tour
6th June 2017
Year 10 students taking History, RE or Philosophy for GCSE at Melbourn Village College enjoyed an amazing walking tour of Rome to enhance their studies.
The group of 34 wasted no time in getting started, heading straight from the airport to the Catacombs di St Sebastiano.
Despite fears of getting lost within this labyrinth, the tour guide led the group through with no problem, introducing memorials both Christian and older – a pair of pagan mausoleums that were only found when the foundations were being worked upon for the church of St Sebastian above.
A second walk took in the Spanish Steps and on to Piazza Navona and, after dinner, the Trevi Fountain, which was lit up and busy but stunning.
The Vatican was incredible – the grounds and the museum –and the Sistine chapel is an amazing endeavour of art and was greatly appreciated by the Melbourn students who took time to look and wonder at the sheer size and detail that was involved. Then it was on to St Peter’s Basilica, which rightfully holds the title of the foremost (and largest) basilica in the world. In comparing it to St Paul’s in London, students could see how Britain’s own feat of architecture could be seen as a pale reflection. One of the day’s highlights was visiting the body of the mummified pope!
By the third day of walking 10 miles-plus the pace was steadier en route to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. The Hill itself gave a unique visage of the Forum, where the ruins themselves seemed unreal.
Students learned much about social hierarchy at The Colosseum and the uses of the ruins. Being able to look into the tunnels below the arena where the animals and gladiators would have swarmed was amazing. After this we visited the Pantheon and explored the surrounding area
The final day was dedicated to exploring some of the culture of Rome by visiting the Compo di Flores, a great example of Rome’s thriving market culture.
Marta Gunner, Head of Humanities, said: “The students were exceptional and definitely made the experience a joy. It was certainly a high spot of this year.”
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