We traveled to Rome this past Saturday. Being situated so close to the Eternal City allows CCI to travel there multiple times each year. Still, we left bright and early so as to make the most of the day.
Rome, which is nearly 3000 years old, is one of the most historically rich cities in the world. We began our day by visiting some of its most famous sites: the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. But before all that, it was time for a photo-shoot in the Borghese Gardens.
Unfortunately the Spanish Steps are being restored, so we weren’t able to climb them. However, we were able to see the newly restored Trevi Fountain, which glows white.
At the Pantheon, Ms. Tozzi’s Italian Studies class broke off into groups and presented for the other students. They discussed the history and architectural genius behind this amazing building. The building is nearly 2000 years old, and is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient Roman architecture. Its dome is the largest free standing concrete dome in the world, and was an inspiration for Brunelleschi before he was commissioned to finish the Duomo in Florence.
From there, we stopped in Piazza Navona to learn about Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers. Each of the sculpted figures represents a major river from one of four continents (Danube in Europe, Ganges in Asia, Rio de la Plata from the Americas, and Africa’s Nile).
Mr. Power’s history class then met under Mussolini’s balcony. The lesson was a precursor to an upcoming unit on WWII and the use of propaganda.
There was time in the afternoon for our students eat lunch and do some shopping. We met back at the Colosseum. There, the remaining students in Ms. Tozzi’s class completed their presentations on this spectacular amphitheatre.
We had scheduled a tour of the Roman Forum afterward, but the gods had other plans, and thunder and lighting had us running for cover! Fortunately it cleared up after an hour, allowing students to enjoy free time to explore Rome on their own.
