Class field trips throughout Rome

      For my Travel Writing class, we go on little excursions that are in place of class time. I had mentioned before about how we went to see the Shakespeare play Much Ado About Nothing, and this week we met at the Old Jewish Ghetto in Rome. The Old Jewish Ghetto is where all of the Jewish people were made to live in a small 3 block area of Rome near the Tiber River before and during the time of World War II.
      At the edge of the Ghetto is the Great Synagogue which still today is the main Jewish Synagogue in Rome. It is grand and instead of having a rounded dome, it is squared, giving it a unique look apart from the Catholic churches throughout the city. Across the street from this Synagogue stands a Christian church, which has an inscription on the front telling all Jewish people that they are foolish for not believing in Jesus Christ as the Savior (rough translation). When it was built, it was put there as an embarrassment for the Jewish people, but it still stands as a reminder of how the religious community has changed and is more open-minded.
      During our tour, we also passed by the square named Largo 16 Ottobre 1943, where the old forum/market was held, as well as where Nazis parked and demanded 110 pounds of gold in 24 hours from the Jewish community, or they would all be taken to concentration camps. The demands were met, but later over 1,500 Jews were taken to concentration camps. After the war, only 16 Jews returned to their home here  in Rome, 1 woman and 15 men, out of the 1,500 that were taken.  The tour was a very interesting bit of history included with seeing the place first-hand.
      The next day, my Art History class went to the Ara Pacis (ah-rah  pa-chis) Museum of Art. The museum itself was a beautifully created architectural masterpiece, with the walls not more than windows, letting the natural light shine into the building. The Ara Pacis Altar itself was so beautiful, and made of marble. This altar was originally made as a symbol of peace and prosperity that was gained by the result of the time of the Pax Romana (time of peace in Rome). Each side of the nearly square enclosure shows real-life heads of state and large political figures, as well as gods and mythical stories. The entire altar is now white marble, but it is believed to once have been entirely painted with bright colors. What a great way to start my Tuesday!
      Then there was my Wine and Culture field trip to a vineyard on Friday... but more on that later!

xoxo Erica