Art Department Trip to Florence 2026

For many years our Year 12 Art Department has cherished a tradition: a journey to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance and a living gallery of art, architecture and inspiration. This year’s visit proved once again why the city holds such a special place in the hearts of young artists.

Beneath bright, crisp skies, students wandered through streets steeped in history, encountering masterpieces not in textbooks but in the quiet grandeur of chapels, galleries and piazzas. We stood in awe beneath the vast dome of the Duomo and climbed it to see a wonderful vista of the city, gazing across terracotta rooftops that seemed unchanged for centuries. In the Uffizi and the Accademia, the students studied the genius of Renaissance masters, while the serene halls of San Marco offered moments of quiet reflection among exquisite frescoes.

Florence also delighted the senses beyond the galleries. Evenings were filled with the warmth of Italian life: the rich aroma of fresh pizza, the sweetness of gelato enjoyed in lively squares, and, on one magical night, the sound of opera drifting through the streets. At San Lorenzo Market, along the Ponte Vecchio, and within the beautiful churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce, art and culture felt wonderfully alive.

In the heart of the bustling market near Mercato Nuovo stands the much-loved bronze fountain known as Il Porcellino- shown here in the picture. According to Florentine tradition, visitors who place a coin in the boar’s mouth and rub its shiny nose are promised good fortune and, most importantly, a return to the city one day. Our students joined the ritual, each taking a moment to rub the polished snout that has been smoothed by generations of hopeful travellers. It was a light-hearted but memorable moment during the trip, and a fitting way to mark our visit to Florence. With coins dropped and wishes quietly made, we left hopeful that the famous brass pig has done its job and that one day we will all return again to this remarkable city of art and culture. 🐗✨

Most memorable of all was the impeccable conduct and curiosity of our students, who embraced every moment with enthusiasm. It was, in every sense, a truly enriching cultural experience.

Mrs Turner

Head of Art