A group of 27 Third- and Fourth-Year students from Trinity School in Croydon travelled to Rome with the Religious Studies Department during the Easter break to explore the important religious and cultural heritage of this rich and vibrant city.
Third Year students Hugo Morton-Ho (HMH) and Matthew Jacques (MJ) describe the trip:
HMH: We met at the airport at 3.30am to set off on our journey to Rome. Over the four days, we visited the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Sistine Chapel, the Catacombs, Vatican City, Roman Forum, Piazza Navona… there were just so many places to see!
On the first day, we visited the Catacombs. There were three levels, the furthest being over 6 feet below the ground! It was really cold down there.
MJ: The Catacombs surprised me greatly as they house over 75,000 bodies! The Spanish Steps were also stunning.
HMH: On the second day, we visited the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. It was enormous and so crowded. We even lost Mr Benjamin and Ms Suarez while on the way around! I could imagine the gladiator fights that took place there with the roars from the cheering crowds. I loved visiting the Trevi Fountain. The lights were beautiful! Legend has it that if you throw a coin in the fountain, you are destined to return, I do hope so!
On the third day, we went to the Vatican, and saw the Sistine Chapel. The amazing tapestries and paintings were an incredible sight to see, it’s a shame we weren’t allowed to take photos or videos! We also climbed the 635 steps to the top of St Peter’s Basilica, to be rewarded by the amazing views on such a beautiful and sunny day.
MJ: I don’t have the words to describe how beautiful the views from the top of the dome were.
HMH: On our final evening in Rome, we had a big surprise. While on the way back to the hotel, a big crowd had gathered around a theatre. To our surprise, we saw Zendaya promoting her new movie, Challengers! (MJ: Seeing Zendaya was both shocking and brilliant!)
MJ: On the fourth and final day we visited the Pantheon which is a feat of engineering and science.
HMH: We also visited Piazza Navona, for some final shopping; it used to be a running stadium but is now full of busy restaurants and bars for tourists open late into the night.
MJ: The trip was amazing and an opportunity of a lifetime. Mrs Berresford-Miller’s breadth of knowledge ranging from historical dates and religious facts was amazing and I wouldn’t ever exchange that for a guidebook. The food was also delicious, but it was the freedom the teachers trusted us with that really made the trip. We had free time to buy clothes or magnets, and sample some of the best food.
HMH: The weather was also brilliant. It was hot and sunny, which was a good excuse to taste all the different types of gelato. My favourite flavour of gelato is Classic Vanilla, but I really loved the pizza, they were so tasty and more delicious than anywhere else.
Every day we walked over 20,000 steps, although we were so busy with sightseeing we did not really notice at the time; but we all were happily exhausted at the end of the four days!
Rome was an amazing city to visit, full of vibrancy, historic and religious culture and I hope to visit again. I also liked the things I had learnt about in Religious Studies and Latin came to life when seen in person. We all give lots of appreciation to the teachers and organisers that helped arrange the trip! It was truly a wonderful one to be part of.
MJ: “I had an amazing time on the RS trip to Rome and will not be forgetting it any time soon. I would certainly recommend it to anyone interested, just wear comfortable shoes!
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