"The Eternal City" a Rome Travel Page by fishandchips

Rome and its seven hills is one of the most fascinating places in the world to visit. After Romulas and Rhemus had a bit of a falling out and a fight for the city (after being succled by a she-wolf) Romulas came out on top a the city was given his name. The birthplace of one of the greatest ever empires and home to a huge number of highly fashionable motor scooter riders Rome just never sleeps. It may come as a surprise to many it wasn't until 1861 that Rome was declared the capital of the newly established Kingdom of Italy. The Vatican still remains its own city state.

Rome has the Vatican city in its heart in more ways than one. The Vatican city encompases St Peters, the largest church in the world and the Vatican musuem with buildings and a fabulous square. The current Pope Benedict is the first German pope in a few years and looks set to continue a more hardline Roman Catholic view. When Benny is in Rome, he gives a public audience every Wednesday beginning at 10:30am (sometimes at 10am in summer). It takes place in the Paul VI Hall of Audiences, although sometimes St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square are used to accommodate a large attendance.

At noon on Sunday, the pope speaks briefly from his study window and gives his blessing to the visitors and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square.

Rome is full of the old and the new with Roman ruins sharing the land with new buildings and modern inventions. No matter what, it looks like it will always be very, very popular with the visitor. With so many things to do in a city that never appears to sleep, Rome should be near the top of every travellors list. One very interesting thing about Rome is what is under the city as Rome is, in theory, built on top of the old Rome. There are many access points to get into an underground Rome - really worth the effort!!!