Rome birthday. On April 21, 753 BC Romulus is said to have founded the city. With this date the chronology of the city begins and thus in the year 2025 (in Roman numerals MMXXV) we have the year 2778 since the foundation of Rome.
The founding day of Rome is celebrated in a big way. The date was calculated by the astrologer Tarunzio, a friend of Cicero, shortly before the turn of the Christian era. This year’s theme is “Rome City of Fire: The destructive and regenerative power of fire, from devastation to rebirth of the Empire, guarded by the sacred fire of the Vestal Virgins.”
Events for Rome’s birthday
The Gruppo Storico Romano organizes exhibitions, events and a parade every year at the Circus Maximus on the founding day of Rome. In 2025 the festivities will take place from 19 to 21 April.
Historical groups from around the world take part. In the Maximus Circus there is not only an arena for the plays, but also a large village with Roman and barbarian camps. There are different scenarios from the archaic period to the late imperial period.
There is also a magical night at the Pantheon in a scenic atmosphere.
The grand parade on Easter Monday April 21 will go from Circus Maximus to Piazza Venezia and across the Imperial Forums past the Colosseum to the Circus Maximus. Gruppo Storico Romano on Facebook>
The Castrum
As in the past, the Gruppo Storico Romano builds a Castrum at the Circus Maximus. From April 19 to 21 is the area for demonstrations and the didactic area on civil, military and religious life in ancient Rome. There is also a photographic exhibition of the previous editions of the “Birthday of Rome”.
For children there is a gladiator school.
The program
The theme of the year 2025 is “Rome – City of Fire”. A conference will be dedicated to this theme in the Auditorium of the Ara Pacis, the Altar of Peace of the Emperor Augustus. A camp with exhibitions will also be organized. There will be dances, music and gladiatorial games. The details of the program are not yet known. The following program is therefore based on the events of previous years.
Saturday at the Pantheon
19:30 Renewal of the sacred fire – Piazza in Campo Marzio.
20:00 At the Pantheon BENEDICTIO VRBI Historical spectacle for the founding day of Rome
Performances at the Circus Maximus
The participating groups perform each afternoon. There are gladiator fights, ancient dances, theater and re-enactments of historical moments.
Saturday
Photo exhibition 10 – 18
Information stands on civil, military and religious life, gladiator school for children 10 – 14
Meeting with writers 11 – 14
20:00 Grup Valltaresh
Easter Sunday
Photo exhibition 10 – 18
Training camp of gladiator schools 10 – 12
Information stands on civil, military and religious life, gladiator school for children 10 – 14
from 10:00 Performances
Meeting with writers 11 – 14
14:00 Grup Valltaresh
14:00 Consecration of the games
15:00 HARPASTUM – Roman soccer – and Gladiator fights
16:00 Ancient dances
17:00 Tournament of the gladiator schools
20:00 Concert of the Italian Army and coronation of DEA ROMA 2024
Easter Monday
10:00 Address by the President
10:30 COMMISSIO FERIARUM – Opening Ceremony
10:45 Orazione di Mecenate
11:00 HISTORICAL PROCESSION It goes from Circus Maximus to the Theater of Marcellus – Piazza Venezia – Via dei Fori Imperiali – Via di San Gregorio, and back to Circus Maximus
14:00 Philharmonic Orchestra City of Rome
15:00 Tracciato del Solco Re-enactment of the founding of the city with a representation between history and legend in four acts – Circo Massimo
from 15:25 Performances
16:00 Legionum Exhibitio – Signa Inferre
16:50 Palilia Rite Re-enactment by the Vestals of the feast of the Palilia: an ancient agricultural-pastoral festival sacred to Pales, patron deity of the flocks and herds – Circo Massimo
17:15 The Battle of Spartacus
Photo gallery
I will be in Rome on April 20th and the 21st 2019.I am interested in viewing a parade.I need help finding time and location of events.
Hi Steven, the parade is on Monday 22 but 20 and 21 are several shows at the Circus Maximus. The rite on Sunday 21 at the fori imperiali starting 10 am shall be interesting too.
Here you find information about April in Rome.
Hello, 2 Qs:
All dates here are for 2019 right (as I see some of the comments are from 2018..)?
Also, do you know when are the fireworks show in the Colosseum?
Thank in advance.
Hi Yaron,
yes, all information is updated to 2019.
I have no evidence about fireworks at the Colosseum. Fireworks shall be June 29 on the Pincio above Piazza del Popolo.
On New Years Eve there were fireworks on the Palatine Hill. I took some picture and posted them on our Facebook Page.
Grazie Bernhard , that’s helped a lot!
Hi Bernhard,
Thank you very much ! I have sent off the participation form.
Kind regards,
Peter
Does anybody know how you get to take part in the costumed parade procession ?
Can you just turn up and join in ?
Thanks for any help.
Hi Peter,
on the website http://www.natalidiroma.it/ you can download the participation form “modulo_gruppi_ENG_2018”.
Have fun