Roman Theme Park, Romaland, Might Be In The Works Outside Rome

Apparently some people don't think touring the actual ruins of Rome is enough of a Roman experience. Mayor Gianni Alemanno is hoping to see a theme park built outside the city that will recreate ancient Rome, reports The Times of London.

The project, dubbed Romaland, hopes to see "millions of tourists having the chance to stroll through the ancient forum, race chariots around the Circus Maximus, climb down into the catacombs or loll in the Baths of Caracalla," according to the paper.

The $800 million plan was mocked when originally introduced in 2008. But, interest from the Emir of Qatar has revived it. The theme park would take an estimated five years to build.

According to the Daily Mail, this would be just part of a bigger plan to revamp Roman tourism. An aquarium is set to open this year, and the port of Ostia is being primed to become a major seaside destination in 2013.

It's not just the Italians, though, who are placing their bets on a wacky theme park. In January it was revealed that the French are planning a Napoleon-themed amusement park, appropriately named Napoleonland.