The best thing for kids to do in Rome is visit the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, known as the cupola. It was designed by Michelangelo, and finished in 1590.

It’s fun for kids because you can climb all the way up, even inside the dome itself. Not bad for adults either, if you’re in pretty good shape. But it’s 551 steps if you hoof it all the way.

If you pay an extra couple bucks you can take an elevator up about half way up, but that still leaves more than 300 steps, so make sure you’re ready for that. There are lots of warnings posted for people with heart conditions. I guess the Vatican doesn’t want to get sued. If you can make it to the top, the views are spectacular, both inside and outside the church.

Just to give you an idea of the size of the cupola, it rises nearly 450 feet above the floor of the church. So maybe it’s not the best visit after all, if you’re scared of heights. You get all sorts of little theology lessons on your way up there, and some scripture and some Latin as well. At base of the dome, in huge letters, are the words: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.  I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.”

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