Roaming Rome

"School of Athens" Raphael

 Recently some of the students took an AIFS guided trip down to Rome. I believe it is one the students favorite sites; filled with history, art, architecture, fame, and beauty. The weather was amazing and we enjoyed Rome in the sunshine! The students began the trip with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Saint Peter’s Basilica. Some of the most precious rooms in the Museum were the “Raphael Rooms” including famous works such as the “School of Athens” among many other frescoes. The students also had a chance to view the most stunning ceiling in the world, the Sistine Chapel. Following the Vatican Museum we headed over to Saint Peter’s Basilica for a tour inside the church where Michelangelo’s “Pietà” is displayed.

Chandra and Sonya in the Vatican Museum

 

Some of the students taking pictures and enjoying Rome outside the Vatican Museum

Following the guided tours Professor Angela Oberer (Italian Life and Culture professor) invited the students to a walking tour. We first passed by Castel Sant’Angelo and crossed over the bridge of Ponte Sant’Angelo, displaying many angel statues from the sculptor Berini. We toured Piazza Navona and ended up around the Pantheon. Thereafter the students were free to roam Rome on their own.

The following morning we woke up bright and early in order to hike off to a guided tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. On our way down to the Colosseum Professor Angela Oberer stopped at San Pietro in Vincoli Basilica and gave the students a little history behind the fifth century AD basilica and the chains displayed of Saint Peter when imprisoned in Jerusalem. In the Colosseum the students had the chance to take their gladiator pictures inside while enjoying the guides’ information about where the animals were kept and where the emperor sat. We then walked over to the Roman Forum which dates back to the 8^th century BC! We viewed the Arc of Constantine dating back to 315 AD and the Vestal Virgin’s Temple and complex dating back to the 7^th century BC. The tour ended at Capitoline Hill.

Happy to be in the Colosseum 

Professor Angela interesting the students at the Pantheon

From there some of the students joined Professor Angela Oberer for a personalized walking tour and lunch! She picked out a very lovely restaurant near the Pantheon. Some students tried the traditional Roman pasta alla carbonara, others tried the Roman typical pasta alla amatriciana among the many options the restaurant offered. After our bellies were full we toured the Pantheon and Professor Angela Oberer brought us to her favorite gelateria in Rome. Following we were led to the precious Trevi Fountain where many students had the chance to throw a coin in the fountain and make a wish. One coin thrown to come back to Rome, two coins thrown to fall in love, and three coins thrown to get married! After everyone had the chance to choose how many coins to throw into the fountain we made our way over to the Spanish steps, where one can relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the surroundings.

At the Trevi Fountain

On Sunday morning the students were left to explore Rome on their own. Some chose to view Rome from the Giancolo Hill offering a beautiful overlook of Rome, other chose museums to explore, while others enjoyed participating in the lazy Sunday Roman life of tranquility. Sadly, the weekend was over and we all boarded on one the fastest trains in the world, the Eurostar, for our trip back to Florence.  

Professor Angela, Bill and Rachael enjoying a beautiful outlook over Rome on top of Castel Sant'Angelo