Foundation of Rome

The “Natale di Roma”, literally translated as the “Christmas of Rome” is the celebration of the anniversary of the foundation of the Eternal City. The date has been fixed on the 21st of April of the 753 BC, when supposedly Romolo founded Rome. Since ancient times this date was used as a reference to measure the years during the Roman Empire, “Ab urbe condita” that is “from the foundation of the City”.

For the fist time in 47 AD under the reign f the Empereor Claudio the anniversary of Rome was celebrated, and nowadays almost 2 millenia later with the city being over 2700 years old, there is still plenty of entertainment going around the city. Many concerts of any kind, special openings and discounted tickets. Entrance to the museum controlled by the municipality is usually free and extended until midnight: a great occasion to visit the Capitoline Museums.
The celebrations usually spans over several days and include historical representations and parades organized by the “Gruppo Storico Romano”. They are held in the “Circo Massimo” field and in the streets of the center , with over 2000 people dressed as gladiators, centurions and deities.

In one of the historical representation a trench is traced on the ground, to remember the act by which Romolo “officially” started the foundation of Rome.