Liceo classico (Classical Lyceum) is the oldest secondary school type in Italy. The educational curriculum lasts five years, and students are generally about 14 to 19 years of age.
Until 1969, this was the only secondary education track that allowed a student access to any kind of Italian university (including humanities and jurisprudence). Nowadays, it carries the reputation of being a highly formative school, one of the few European secondary school types where study of ancient languages (Latin and ancient Greek) and their literature are compulsory.
The oldest Liceo classico in Italy is the Istituto Maffei, founded in 1807 by Napoleon I.
Read more about Liceo Classico: Subjects, Classical Lyceums in Italy