Adults and children alike marvel at the size and scale of the coliseum. Completed in the year 80 by the Roman emperor Titus, this four-level amphitheater was built to house 55,000 Romans for games that lasted a month at a time.
The Roman forum exists between two famous ancient city sites: the Capitoline Hill and the Palatine Hill. The forum was formerly the city center where business was conducted, goods were purchased at market and the Senate conducted its business. When the Roman Empire fell, the Roman Forum fell into decay and much has been destroyed over time, but the ruins are amazing and provide children an insight into what the great ancient city of Rome used to be.
The famous domed building has been in existence since the 2nd century AD, when it was built as a temple to all the Roman gods. Since the 7th century it has been used as a Catholic church. Kids will marvel at the huge Corinthian columns and ocular dome, the oldest in Rome.
The zoological gardens have been a favorite for travelers with children since it opened in the early part of the 20th century. The park is located at the Villa Borghese and is made up of approximately 1,000 animals, with an emphasis on nearly extinct animals. Within the zoological park, you and your children will encounter a lemur and a rare hippopotamus pygmy.
Piazza Navona is a Roman city square where traffic is prohibited, making it a prime destination for visitors with children. It is derived from the ancient ruins of the Roman circus, once known as the Circus Agonalis, or competition arena. It features 500-year-old sculptures and fountains and is rich in Italian history and architecture.
Vatican City is the official residence of Pope Benedict XVI and is a sovereign nation within the city of Rome. With a population of only 900, it's the smallest nation in the world. For more than 700 years, it has been the official residence of the head of the Catholic Church. Children will marvel at the beautiful historic buildings and the Sistine Chapel and will be enthralled by traveling underground into the Vatican caves, where the papal tombs are located.
