Treasure Hunt for Children

Rome lends itself so well to a children's treasure hunt especially if based around animals.



The crest of the Pamphilj family is the dove which can be seen all over the city including inside the church of Sant'Andrea al Quirinale. This church was designed by Bernini for Cardinal Camillo Pamphilj and doves play a major part in the decoration.



Yet more doves can be spotted in Piazza Navona on the facade of the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone





If you look upwards you will see a dove atop the obelisk in the centre of Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers. The fountain was commissioned by a Pamphilj Pope.



The fountain also contains more animals including a lion bending down to take a drink of water.....



.... a galloping horse......



....and what is thought to be an armadillo. It is more than likely that Bernini had never seen such an animal so used his imagination.



Bees form part of the Barberini family coat of arms and these too are easily spotted around the city, especially in Piazza Barberini where they not only appear on the Tritone Fountain but also on the Fountain of the Bees in the corner of the square. Here they appear to be taking flight.



Bees also appear in the church of San Ivo alla Sapienza where the spiral dome's shape is that of a bee sting.


Both doves and bees can be found in St Peter's Basilica.






 Other animals that are fun to spot are the elephant in Piazza di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva



The turtles in Piazza Mattei



The snake on Isola Tiburina



And, of course, the fishes in Piazza della Rotonda