Classics school trips to Rome

The widest stairway in Europe, Rome’s Spanish Steps are famous worldwide for their unique design, having been immortalised in several films and television shows. The steps were built in the 17th century to link the Spanish square with the Trinità dei Monti church, and today make up one of Rome’s most-visited attractions. Located at the foot of the steps, the 17th-century Baroque Barcaccia Fountain adds to the site’s grandeur.

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Trevi Fountain – a firm favourite among Equity staff. One of the most famous and photographed fountains in the world, the fountain dates back to the 17th century and features incredible Baroque details which will amaze your students. We recommend visiting in the evening to enjoy the view of the fountain lit up. Don’t forget to throw a penny in! Who knows, you may return to Rome…

Explore the role and importance of religion in the 2,000-year-old Colosseum, where gladiators and beasts once battled. A legendary site immortalised in film, the Colosseum is always popular among our student groups. Nearby, you can also tour the adjacent Forum and see the ruins of ancient Rome’s most exclusive neighbourhood, where emperors lived in luxury.

Dating all the way back to 1471, the Capitoline Museum is considered the world’s oldest public museum, its collection of classical sculptures among the finest in Italy. Here, students will learn about the ancient Roman myth of Romulus and Remus through the iconic Lupa Capitolina, and how the brother’s tale led to the founding of the city, alongside a vast collection that includes statues, art, jewels, coins and more.

One of the world’s holiest Catholic sites and largest churches, this cavernous building features a breathtaking dome with masterpieces by Michelangelo and Bernini. It won’t take much encouragement for your students to study the power of Catholicism and the importance of pilgrimage as they experience this Vatican City highlight – one of our favourite excursions in Rome.

Commissioned in 1480, the Sistine Chapel is the site of the papal conclave and is home to Michelangelo’s elaborate ceiling and Last Judgment fresco. This powerful building offers an excellent location to discuss the role and selection of the Pope with your students, as they absorb the building’s significance in Rome and explore its wide selection of religious art.

Embark on a journey through time at the Mausoleum of Hadrian, which holds many ancient tales within its walls. Initially erected for the Roman Emperor Hadrian more than 1,800 years ago, the building was later used by the popes as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum which walks visitors through its vast, storied history.

For an extraordinary view into the extravagance of ancient Rome, look no further than the Pantheon – one of the best-preserved buildings from the era. Built almost 2,000 years ago, this former Roman temple offers a lasting testimony to the skill and creativity of Roman classical architecture, and is a must-see for students to fully comprehend the culture of this ancient civilisation.

The largest catacombs in the wider Rome area, the Catacombs of San Callisto are guaranteed to pique the interest of your students. As the official cemetery of the Roman Church during the Roman Empire, archaeologists have uncovered the tombs of 16 Popes, thousands of Christians and dozens of martyrs at the site, spread across over 20 kilometres of tunnels that lay hidden beneath the city.

As the seat of the Catholic religion and home of the Pope, there’s nowhere better for your students to explore the history and development of Catholicism than in Vatican City. In the Apostolic Palace, your group can experience the wonder of the remarkable Sistine Chapel, and explore the world’s largest museum complex while appreciating the power of this independent state.

Wander around the fascinating ancient ruins of these luxurious public baths, which date back to 206 AD. Designed to accommodate around 1,600 bathers, the baths were used for 300-400 years before bathing fell out of fashion in Europe. Today, the archaeological site is used for open-air performances of ballet and opera, and remains one of the best preserved Roman baths in the world.

A mandatory stop for school groups on an art trip to Rome, the Borghese Gallery and Museum housed what’s often referred to as the ‘queen of all private art collections’, with paintings by Caravaggio and Raphael displayed alongside exquisite sculptures by Bernini. Don’t miss a quick stop in the gallery’s surrounding English-style gardens, which were once part of the estate but are now a separate attraction.

Pay a visit to Rome’s modern Gladiator School, and give your students the unique opportunity to wield wooden swords and shields as they discover the makings of a true gladiator. A fun afternoon activity for your school group, this excursion will teach them about the history of these ancient Roman fighters, offer live demonstrations, and let them put their learnings into practice with a friendly duel.

A prerequisite for any history or classics visit to Rome, the National Roman Museum comprises exhibits from the pre- and early history of the city, spread across several sites. At the Palazzo Altemps, students can see a great collection of classical sculpture from the celebrated Ludovisi collection, while the Crypta Balbi contains fascinating archeological remains from the period.

Once the largest stadium in ancient Rome, Circus Maximus is now a public park where students can uncover the site’s vast history over a relaxing afternoon. At one point the Circus could seat 250,000 people – a quarter of Rome’s population – who gathered for almost a millennium to see the chariot races that were held here.

Just a short trip from central Rome by coach, historical Ostia Antica is a beautifully preserved port city where students can get a feel of what a bustling industrial area would have looked like during the Roman Empire. Here, you will find the remnants of warehouses, docks, baths, houses, apartments and an open air theatre – all excellent sites for captivating your students.

One of the city’s most outstanding museums, the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is a treasure trove of classical art that’s a must-see for any school trip to Rome. Students will discover sculptures in bronze and marble dating back as far as the 4th century as they explore the Neo-Renaissance palace, as well as fabulous frescoes depicting the interiors of an ancient Roman villa.