Happy Birthday Rome!

Today we celebrate Rome's Birthday (Italian: Natale di Roma)! The legend says that Romulus and Remus, twin sons of Mars and the Vestal Rea Silvia, decided to build a town on the banks of the river Tiber. They quarreled over founding the city and Remus was killed by his brother. Romulus founded Rome on the Palatine Hill in 753 BC and Romans started to count years from this date, using the Latin expression "Ab Urbe Condita", which means "from the founding of the city".
Emperor Augustus decided to commemorate this day with an ancient rite called "Palilia" which was dedicated to"Pales" or "Pale", an archaic rural goddess.
Romans celebrated this ceremony on 21 April, which was regarded as the first day of spring.
During this event, the shepherds were used to wash their cattle, prepare flatbreads and the "burranica", a drink made up of milk and must.
For many centuries the Foundation Day was put on the back burner but it became popular again in 1870, when Rome was incorporated into Italian Reign.
The first historical parade was organized in 1902 and a lot of citizens took part in it dressing as Ancient Romans.
Every year the city celebrates its birth organizing different events, such as shows, free museums and the parade, obviously !

Parade Starting Time
Circus Maximus: 11.30 am (Imperial Fora: 12.00 am).

Museums open with free admission
Centrale Montemartini, Museo dell'Ara Pacis, Museo Barracco, Galleria d'Arte Moderna di Roma Capitale, Museo Canonica, Museo della Memoria Garibaldina, Museo delle Mura, Villa di Massenzio, Museo Civico di Zoologia, MACRO Testaccio.

Temporary exhibition fees apply in the following museums:
Musei Capitolini: € 3,50; special ridottissimo ticket € 2,00;
Musei di Villa Torlonia - Casino Nobile: € 2,50;
Mercati di Traiano: € 1,50;
Museo Carlo Bilotti: € 1,50;
Museo Napoleonico: € 1,50;
Museo di Roma: € 1,50;
MACRO (via Nizza): € 4,00.



Rome seven Hills



Romulus and Remus

Parade