The Trinity Classical Academy class of 2013 capped their senior year with a glorious eight day trip to Florence, Italy. After studying classical literature, art, architecture and language during their time at Trinity, this was an incredible opportunity to actually experience the splendor of the birthplace of the renaissance.
The students stayed at the Villa Camerata, a 17th century villa just outside the city, and from there they ventured into Florence, the capital city of Tuscany. They were treated to a trip through the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest art museums in the world where they saw original works by Bottecelli, da Vinci and Rapheal. Then it was off to the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze to see the one and only Michelangelo’s David, arguably the most famous sculpture in the world. Strolling the city the students also saw the famous sculpture garden at the Loggia dei Lanzi, the famous square, the Piazza della Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio bridge which spans the Arno river and the old church of Sna Lorenzo.
Perhaps the most inspiring site in all of Florence is the great cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, known as The Duomo, the largest brick and morter dome in the world completed by Brunelleschi in 1463. The Trinity seniors learned a great deal about the famous church and climbed to the top of the Duomo for awe-inspiring views of the city.
After touring Florence, it was off to the Mediterranean seaside villages of Cinque Terri, for a few days of hiking through the beautiful terraced hillsides and rugged coastline. Students enjoyed the splendid countryside, visited several centuries-old churches, and even took a swim in the Mediterranean. It was also a chance for Trinity students to sample some of the delicious fare of the region including grapes, olives, wonderful seafood and of course the signature food of the area, pesto.
Then it was back to Florence for some more sightseeing including seeing the homes of Dante, Michelangelo and Galileo, finally ending ending in an intimate Good Friday service held in the shadow of the Palazzo Vecchio, the “Old Palace”, the town hall of Florence.
The visit was truly one of the most culturally enriching times in the lives of Trinity students. It provided not only a context for their classical studies but a rich appreciation of a place that has had such a profound influence on western culture and the world.