Day 3: Rain, ruins and resilience

15 april 2026

Day three of our Erasmus+ journey took us beyond the city and deep into the ancient past, as we travelled to Urbisaglia, once known as the Roman city of Urbs Salvia.

Despite the relentless rain, spirits remained high as our students embraced the opportunity to explore this remarkable archaeological site. Unearthed by archaeologists from Strasbourg, the area holds significant historical value and is even referenced in the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. Walking through the remains of this once-thriving Roman settlement brought history vividly to life.

A standout moment was our visit to the impressive amphitheatre. With its twelve entrances still intact, it was easy to imagine the scale and spectacle of the past, when up to 8,000 spectators would gather to watch gladiator contests. Today, the atmosphere was more tranquil, with the gentle sway of trees and the steady rhythm of rain falling onto the fertile ground, creating a powerful contrast between past and present.

In the afternoon, we returned to school where the focus shifted back to one of our central theme: earthquakes. Students engaged in lessons exploring the region’s long and complex history of seismic activity, gaining insight into both past events and present-day preparedness. The school’s evacuation procedures were also explained, giving students a clear understanding of how safety is managed in an area where tremors are a regular occurrence.

Learning then took on a hands-on approach. Using Lego, pupils simulated earthquake conditions and tested how different structures respond to movement. This was followed by a creative engineering challenge: designing spaghetti and marshmallow towers and putting them to the ultimate test on a shake plate. Structures were tested, redesigned and tested again, all while maintaining a sense of fun – and yes, a few marshmallows were sampled along the way.

Days like these highlight the true value of Erasmus+. By combining cultural exploration, historical context and practical, collaborative learning, students gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the world around them. They develop problem-solving skills, resilience and the ability to work across cultures – all essential in preparing them for the future.

Another memorable day of discovery, learning and shared experiences.