Private School News

Friday 14 March
Christ College Cultural Tour group arrived late afternoon in good spirits and blessed with great weather.

Our first visit was to the Trevi Fountain to take in the atmosphere and beauty of this extraordinary monumental baroque fountain which was finally completed in 1762. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water – hence the group did throw their money away!

From the Trevi, we went on a little jaunt to the Spanish Steps for some singing. Bearing in mind we were on the eve of a possible Grand Slam, Welsh songs were in favour and the group received special applause for their rendition of “Cwm Rhondda” and “Delilah”.

Saturday 15 March
After navigating the metro system we were greeted by our guide, Maria, who gave us a detailed tour of the Vatican Museums. The Vatican Museums were founded under the patronage of two 18th century popes who were among the first to open collections of art to the general public for viewing, therefore promoting culture among the masses.

At the end of the Vatican Museums is the Sistine Chapel where the party were given time for quiet reflection. The art is remarkable and it is the venue for the election of each successive Pope.

A tour of St Peter’s Basilica followed, which was until recently the largest church ever built and was said to be built on the spot where Peter, the apostle who is considered the first pope, was crucified and buried in 64 AD; his tomb is under the main altar.

Late afternoon was taken up with supporting Wales in the Grand Slam and Rome was full of Scots in kilts who lost to Italy…

Sunday 16 March
Revd Baker managed to acquire some tickets for Palm Sunday Mass with Pope Benedict XVI. A group of students and staff went to this very memorable and moving occasion which was the highlight of their tour.

The rest of the group navigated a very busy metro (due to the Rome Marathon and Palm Sunday Mass) to visit Castel St Angelo, which was started in 135AD as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian. It holds some very impressive art, costumes and artefacts and the views over Rome were magnificent.

In the afternoon the tour visited the Colosseum where our guide explained why such a structure was built to witness bloody contests of might and the slaughter of wild beasts. The stadium was an elliptical stadium, 188 metres along its longest axis and 40 metres high and is truly an impressive site, inside and out. An optional tour of the Roman Forum followed.

That evening the party ventured on to a bus to Piazza Navona which was originally built as a stadium in the first century for athletic contests and chariot races. Piazza Navona is lined with luxurious cafes and Baroque palaces and is the home to three lavish fountains. Pupils and staff took in the atmosphere and sampled the local fayre, especially the ice cream…

Monday 17 March
Pupils and staff made the most of their last few hours. Some visited the Pantheon and others revisited their favourite spots and did some last minute shopping. Sadly, a very tired but culturally enlightened group boarded their flight and returned to the UK on time.