During the week of January 4, 2026, to January 10, 2026, we, five Latin students in grade 9 at IGM, traveled to Rome with a few students from grade 11 at Spalatin-Gymnasium Altenburg.
Accompanied by two of our teachers, we learned about Roman culture and had the opportunity to visit many sights.
On Sunday, January 4, 2026, we met at 10 a.m. in Altenburg to take the train to Munich. After a few changes and a few hours on the train, we finally arrived at Munich Central Station. There we had to wait four hours for our night train to take us to Rome. We spent part of the 14-hour night train journey sleeping, so the time passed very quickly.
The next morning, we finally arrived in Rome. First, we dropped off our suitcases at our accommodation. Then, in heavy rain, we visited the Circus Maximus, Tiber Island, the Temple of Portunus, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and several other sights, giving us a first impression of the impressive Roman buildings.
Later in the week, we visited other famous sites, such as the Roman Forum, where we saw the Arch of Titus, the Temple of Vesta, and the Basilica of Maxentius, among other things, the Colosseum, where gladiator fights used to take place, and the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which used to be a thermal bath.
The visit to the Catacombs of San Sebastiano was also very impressive. We were able to walk along Via Appia, the oldest road built by the Romans, and stroll among the ruins of Ostia Antica, the port of ancient Rome.
On Friday, January 9, 2026, our last day in Rome, we visited the Vatican with St. Peter's Basilica, which amazed many with its magnificent appearance. In the Capitoline Museums and the National Museum of Rome, there were many ancient busts, statues, murals, and other objects on display, most of which are well preserved and provide a good insight into Roman history.
The weather in Rome was changeable during the week. On the first few days, it rained so heavily that most people's pants were wet up to their knees, but fortunately it became sunnier and warmer as the week progressed. The food wasn't very varied, as we cooked pasta almost every evening.
Overall, the trip to Rome was very enjoyable, educational, exciting, and impressive.
Latin students in grade 9 ( AK29)
