As I stood at the entrance to St. Peter's Square, on the border between Rome and the sovereign state of The Vatican, I had a moment of deja vu. … Except that it really wasn't deja vu at all.
The scene laid out in front of me — a busy Roman street filled with tourists in sunhats and vendors selling knock-off purses; a square filled with camera-toting visitors and devoted worshippers clutching rosary beads — was one that was familiar not just from a dream or freak glance into the future. It was one that I had seen before, 8 years previously.
They call Rome “The Eternal City.” This nickname dates back to ancient times, when poets and historians predicted that the Roman Empire would go on forever. After all, Rome is one of the oldest cities in the world, and has been at the center of everything from sprawling empires to the Church over the centuries.
The Roman Empire may not have lasted forever, but there's no arguing that Rome is still going strong.
As I stood there in front of St. Peter's having that deja-vu-like moment, I finally understood the “Eternal City” nickname. Because, even though it had been 8 years since I had been in Rome, it felt like no time at all had passed.
The thing I love about Rome is that the new is mixed in seamlessly with the old and ancient. And, in recent years, the city has started paying more attention to its ancient parts, preserving them and opening them up to visitors.
I spent 5 days in Rome this time around, exploring different parts each day — and of course all the old favorites, too. I want to share my experience of the Eternal City with you, so come with me now on a photo tour of Rome and the Vatican!
Rome
The Vatican
For me, even though Rome may be “Eternal” and unchanging, it is nevertheless one of those cities that I think I will always love exploring, no matter how many times I've done it before.
I threw coins into the Trevi Fountain again this time around, because I definitely want to visit Rome again someday.
Check out these other posts about Rome:
Which Rome photo is your favorite?
*Note: I visited Rome as part of my Busabout trip around Europe. They provided me with transport on all 3 of their Europe loops, but all opinions of the destinations I visit are entirely my own! I also saw some of these sites thanks to tours with Walks of Italy.
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
[…] In Photos: Rome, the Eternal City by A dangerous business: Rome is one of the European cities which is still on my bucket list and watching Amanda’s photos definitely make me wanna go there even more […]
Eternal it is. It seems like time just stands still there. Or maybe it is just my imagination taking me back to the Roman Empire days and envisioning it as it was with as it is. I love this series on Rome you are doing, Makes my fantasy destination call to me even stronger, stellar photos Amanda!
Thanks, Ryan! I’m sure it will look just the same when you finally make it there!
I’m going to admit something controversial, but I didn’t love Rome the first time I visited. We just didn’t click. But your gorgeous photos make me want to give the city another chance!
Totally fine if Rome isn’t for you. I’ve visited a handful of cities (Athens and Amsterdam, to name two) that I just didn’t click with. Nothing wrong with that!
But, having said that… I think I probably would give Rome a second chance!
Fabulous photos… Trevi fountain is awesome, no words to describe……. Thanks for sharing such fantastic photos.
Thanks so much! Glad you liked the photos.
Your photos are gorgeous, especially the one of the Trevi Fountain!
I can’t wait to visit Rome for myself someday 🙂
Thanks, Beth! Rome is certainly a must-see. Even after being there twice, I would happily go back again.
I looove Rome. I’d love to take a long exposure of the Trevi Fountain.
Good luck with that! There are always sooooo many people around that fountain, even if you go at night!
Rome has always sounded like a dreamy vacation to me! Roadside cafes, Piazzas, Fountains… I so want to see it with my own eyes someday!! Beautiful captures Amanda 🙂
It can actually get quite overwhelming at times – big crowds, huge ornate buildings, ruin so old you can barely comprehend them… But it’s all SO worth it!
Ahhhh, this makes me even MORE excited to visit Italy next spring! Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Happy travels!
Thank YOU, Lauren! I really hope you enjoy Rome!
YAY for throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain!!
Of course! You kind of have to, right??
While Rome is spectacular, I felt very uneasy in the Vatican. So. much. gold. everywhere. So much wars to steal these things from people across the continent. It just reminded me how outdated Catholicism is in he 21st century… but the view was well worth the visit, though!
Definitely know what you mean about the Vatican – walking around St. Peter’s and knowing that pretty much everything inside was “borrowed” from others… weird. Yet fascinating, too. So much history there to learn about.
Gorgeous pictures! My favourite is the first one of the ruins, with the pink flower. Every time I go to Rome I try to visit the ruins all over again, or a different part of them (there are so many scattered also outside of the city). It’s so fascinating and I’m never tired of them…
And they are constantly finding new ruins in Rome! It’s part of the reason why it takes so long to build anything there. Haha.
As for that photo, it’s one of my favorites, too! It was even my computer background for a while.
That photo of Trevi fountain is just plain gorgeous.
Thanks! An oldie, but a goodie. That fountain never disappoints.
I felt like I was on a tour of Rome! The pictures are so elaborate and nice! Rome is truly the eternal city.
Thank you, Renuka! Glad you liked my little photo tour!
Your photos are beautiful!
Rome is at the top of my list of places to visit. I was a classics major along with archaeology, and I’d always intended to spend my time on lovely Roman ruins – but I somehow got diverted into Alaska.
Haha, Rome WOULD be ideal for you! Definitely get yourself there eventually.
We spent three days in Rome on our honeymoon (mini moon, really since the wedding left us skint) and it was just so much more amazing than I could have imagined. I’ll return, I know I will. Hopefully soon…
It really is a fantastic city to visit. Great choice for a mini-moon!