Rome, Italy

Plan on spending a couple of days in Rome and the surrounding area. As you prioritize what you want to see and experience consider the options: Roman Empire, Catholic Church, Famous Art, Italian Food and Italian Lifestyle.

Any age child will enjoy Rome. It is easy to craft a trip that aligns with what a child is studying.

For 500 years Rome built spectacular edifices to themselves and many remain today. Modern sporting venues resemble the 2,000 year old Coliseum. One of the best preserved Ancient Roman buildings is the architectural marvel Pantheon dedicated to “every God” but since the 600’s used as a Christian Church. Your kids can walk through the ruins of the Roman Forum which was the center of Roman Public life much like a town square today. Visit the Circus Maximus where 250,000 people could watch the chariot races. Check out the massive Arches built to honor their heroes, the amazing aqueducts built to deliver fresh water to the city. Everywhere one turns in Rome there is another site to study and learn about that influenced history.

The Christian faith and particularly the Catholic Church have strong ties to Rome. While Vatican city is independent from Italy, it is such a major part of Rome. St Peters Bascilica built on the site where St Peter the apostle was martyred is the largest Bascilica in the world. Taking from 1506 to 1626 to build, the current building replaced the original one built by the first Christian Emperor Constantine which took from 319-349. There are beautiful churches you can walk into throughout Rome, including the Papal Basilica of St. Paul built on the spot of Apostle Paul’s execution. It is thought that both St Paul and St Peter spent time in the Mamertine Prison which can still be visited.

One cannot go to Italy Rome and not take in the famous art. Home to Michelangelo in his later years, the sculptor, painter and architect works are breathtaking. The Pieta is a almost life size depiction of Mother Mary holding Jesus’s body after the crucifixion.  He heavily influenced the design of St. Peter’s Bacilica, and one of his most famous works is the frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel during 1477-1480. Look up at the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, look and appreciate the fresco The School of Athens depicting the great philosophers and scientists of ancient Greece by Raphael, and take time to try and read the carvings on Trajan’s column which stands 126 feet tall telling the story of his two victories over the Dacians during 101-106. Trajan appears in 58 of 155 scenes along with over 2,600 other figures. In addition to the art in the Church’s, there are multiple great museums and art galleries to visit.

The whole family will enjoy taking in the vivaciousness of Rome. The endless number of street cafes, the mopeds whipping around the round abouts and not to be missed the leather good shops.

Taking a family to Rome creates life long memories and enriches your child’s education in so many ways.

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