The Eternal City - Rome

In our whirlwind tour of Rome I managed to take about 500 photos, which isn't much I imagine. I have selected my top 50 that give a little taste - the highlights if you will - of the areas you might associate with the Eternal City. There are many more images, specifically from St Peter's Basilica where everything was amazing! I can't help but imagine what it must be like to live here - surrounded by history, enmeshed in the Catholic religion, guided by the faith and light of a city that has many faces. Here is Rome, in 6 hours, condensed for your viewing pleasure. Just not enough time. But it never is.


Trevi Fountain (Fontana del Trevi)















not sure of the significance, but outside the church across from the Trevi fountain there were many locks with writing locked onto the gates of the church and surrounding structures.


the Coliseum (from outside only)






thought this was an interesting mix of old and new.


a gladiator. really.


I believe this was the church of the Holy Apostles...or some building associated with the 12 Apostles (who are in effigy on the top of the building)




street vendors






loved this car - especiallt the front plate which said "roma"


wine for lunch


the roman ruins in the Roman Forum area - just uncovered in the last 30 years


the Pope's Fortress as seen from one of the bridged across the Tiber


gladiator remains


the Arch of Constantine (I think)


The Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna)


Vatican City


Inside Vatican City




inside the Vatican museum










heading out to St Peter's Square


inside the Basilica (St Peter's) - the world's largest Christian church begun in 319AD when Emperor Constantine built the original atop St Peter's tomb (Biblically, St Peter was the rock on whom the church was built)


The Pieta


my shadow on the floor of the Basilica


loved this shot...cannot get more approproate than a priest gazing reverently at a statue in the Basilica of St Peter


so shines the light








leading down to the tombs underneath the Basilica (where the popes are buried)




view out into St Peter's Square (designed by Bernini). You can see Emperor Caligula's stolen Egyptian obelisk in the center.


the Swiss guard who guard the pope - they come from the most Catholic families in Switzerland to serve just that purpose







the pope delivers his in-person greetings from that middle balcony