Créé par Emilie, le 7 mai 2026
Votre guide Ryo
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On April 21st, 753 BC, the legendary city of Rome was born.
What is today Italy's capital as we know it was above all the capital of the Roman Empire, the most brilliant and powerful civilization in the Mediterranean basin during Antiquity.
So it's quite natural that we still celebrate its anniversary properly!
Every year, on April 21st, the city of Rome goes completely wild with festivities!
But before discovering what happens during Natale di Roma, let's quickly go back to the beginning, in 753 BC...
The legend of Rome's creation.
According to the myth, the priestess Rhea Silvia, daughter of King Numitor, was impregnated by the god Mars, and gave birth to twins, Romulus and Remus. When Numitor was overthrown by his brother, the latter decided to have Rhea walled up and throw her children into the Tiber so they could never claim the throne. Legend tells that a she-wolf then took them in at the foot of the Palatine hill. The animal would have nourished and protected them for some time in her cave of Lupercal, until a shepherd found them and raised them as his sons. His wife was, still according to legend, a prostitute, nicknamed lupa which in Latin means both she-wolf and prostitute. The legend of the Wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, whose statue you know, certainly comes from there. Having become adults, the twins decided to found a city at the foot of the Palatine hill. Unable to decide who would give their name to the city, they decided to consult the augurs, that is to say the signs of nature. Each brother placed himself on a hill and observed the birds. Remus, from the Aventine hill saw six vultures circling in the sky, but Romulus saw twelve and was therefore declared king of the new city. He dug a ditch and swore to kill anyone who would cross it. Remus, mocking his brother, jumped in one leap over the ditch, symbol of the future walls of the city. Romulus made no exception for his twin whom he killed in cold blood. This is how, according to legend, Rome was founded in 754 BC.
The history of Rome's anniversary
Rome's anniversary was already celebrated during the time of imperial Rome, and April 21st gave rise to numerous festivities.
The anniversary date then fell into oblivion for what may seem like an eternity before being brought back to fashion by the fascist regime in the 1940s. A national holiday, named "Natale di Roma" was then created and finally abandoned at the end of World War II.
It would be necessary to wait until the 1990s for Rome's birthday celebration to resurface, this time more touristic than patriotic.
Rome's anniversary today
From April 21st, and generally over the following days, the whole city is bubbling with excitement!
You will find a more true-to-life reproduction of a Roman camp installed on the Circus Maximus and you will see a great costumed parade march from the Circus Maximus to the Colosseum!
Museums are free as well as the numerous exhibitions and concerts that are organized throughout the city.
After three years of absence (due, of course, to the Covid-19 pandemic), the event is highly anticipated and will be more extraordinary than ever!
3000 people belonging to more than 80 historical reenactment associations are expected to create an unforgettable celebration on the theme of Rome's water civilization: Regina Aquarum.
It is the association Gruppo Storico Romano that organizes the event.
The festivities will take place at Circus Maximus from 04/20 and will end on 04/23 at 9:00 PM.
The 2023 program
Thursday 04/20:
- 8:00 AM: gathering in the Circus Maximus area
- 7:30 PM: "Sacred fire renewal" show on Campo Marzio
- 8:00 PM: "Benedictio Vrbi" show on Piazza della Rotonda
- 9:00 PM: Concert
Friday 04/21:
- From 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM: photo exhibition of previous "Natale di Roma", presented by the "Fotografiamo" association
- From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM: Gladiator school, Celtic and barbarian village and round table on "Military, Civil and Religious Life" at the imperial and republican castrum.
- From 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM: 2 ancient Roman football matches, the "Harpastvm" in the archaeological zone.
- From 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM: historical reenactment of the "Furrow Tracing" by Romulus, thus delimiting the limits of Rome
- From 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM: reenactment of the "Palilie" ceremony, the rural festivals of April
- From 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM: crowning of the goddess of Rome, followed by a fashion show, music and poetry.
Saturday 04/22:
- From 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM: photo exhibition of previous "Natale di Roma", presented by the "Fotografiamo" association
- From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM: Gladiator school, Celtic and barbarian village and round table on "Military, Civil and Religious Life" at the imperial and republican castrum.
- From 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM: Meet the authors at the republican castrum
- From 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM: Ancient football final, the "Harpastvm"
- From 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM: Tournament between gladiator schools in the exhibition space
- From 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM: sound and light show
Sunday 04/23
- 10:00 AM: opening ceremony
- 11:00 AM: departure of the historical procession and blessing ceremony by Emperor Hadrian to the participants on Via dei Fori Imperiali
- From 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM: concert by Roma Capital group
- From 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM: performance by different groups.
Historical parade
The April 23rd procession includes about 2500 costumed performers.
The itinerary is as follows:
Departure at 11:00 AM from Circus Maximus, Via dei Cerchi, Via Luigi Petroselli, Via Teatro di Marcello, Via del Campidoglio, Piazza Venezia, Via dei Fori Imperiali, Colosseum, Via Celio Vibenna, Via di San Gregorio, Via dei Cerchi and return scheduled for the end of the procession to Circus Maximus by 2:00 PM.