Every year on April 21st, the streets of Rome come alive to celebrate the birthday of the Eternal City, which tradition says was founded on the 21st of April 753 BC by the first of its seven kings, Romulus. According to the famous Latin writer Varro, Romulus, guided by the astrological calculations of the physicist Lucius Tarutius Firmanus, established the city on the Palatine Hill.
History turns into myth when recounting the legend of Romulus and his twin brother Remus. The two were said to be the offspring of the god Mars and the vestal virgin Rhea Silvia. Abandoned by their mother, the twins were rescued and nurtured by a she-wolf on the banks of the Tiber River. While legend and reality blur in this tale, archaeological excavations somehow align with the narrative, revealing ancient settlements dating to the same era as the founding myth.
Rome’s birthday coincides also with the Palilia, an ancient Roman festival celebrated annually on April 21st in honor of the goddess Pales, who was associated with shepherds and livestock. The festival had deep agricultural significance, marking the traditional beginning of the rural year and focusing on the purification of sheep and their pens to ensure fertility and protection from diseases.
Today, the anniversary is celebrated with enthusiasm across the city. One of its highlights is the immersive experience at the Circus Maximus, where historical reenactments and recreated Roman and Berber encampments transport attendees back in time. But there are also educational exhibits, exploring themes such as ancient Roman cuisine and religion, and sometimes, even reenactments of gladiatorial combats!
On the day, a grand historical parade takes place from Circus Maximus to Piazza Venezia, passing iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
A moment of awe occurs at noon within the Pantheon, as a beam of sunlight penetrates through its oculus and illuminates its ancient bronze doors. This phenomenon, known as the Agrippa Sunbeam, was designed to coincide with the city’s birthday and symbolized the divine radiance bestowed upon Rome by Emperor Augustus.
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