Today we celebrate the founding of Rome, in Italy called “Natale di Roma” and traditionally fixed on the 21st April 753 BC. Discover some of the several events organized for the 2771st anniversary of the Eternal City.
To follow the events, watch the live streaming by Itinerome on Periscope!
Friday 20 April
The three days of celebrations began on Friday 20th April 2018, with the symbolic “Coronation” of a living personification of Rome goddess during a performance with actors dressed up like ancient Romans, accompanied by a music ensemble and a choir (piazza del Campidoglio, from 3.30 pm).
Saturday 21 April
Among the several events organized on this day, we recommend the historical re-enactment of the founding of Rome, “Tracciato del solco”, recalling the emblematic act undertaken by Romulus, who according to the tradition ploughed a square furrow around the Palatine Hill to demarcate the boundaries of the future city (Circo Massimo, 3.00 pm).
Later, the event “Orazi e Curiazi” will be performed, that is a re-enactment of the legendary fight between the three Roman brothers Horatii and the three triplets Curiatii from the city of Alba Longa, at the time of the king of Rome Tullus Hostilius (Circo Massimo, 4.00 pm). The religious ceremony of the “Palilia” will follow these re-enactments (Circo Massimo 5.00 pm).
Sunday 22 April
To worthily close the celebrations, a historical procession will start from Circo Massimo and pass by Teatro di Marcello, Piazza Venezia and Via dei Fori Imperiali, where the participating people will be “blessed” by the Emperor Hadrian Pontifex Maximums (from Circo Massimo, 11.00 am).
In the afternoon, other re-enactments like religious rituals, ancient dances, gladiatorial fights and historical battles will be performed (Circo Massimo, from 3.00 pm).
