Today 21 April 2023 Rome, the Eternal City, celebrates its 2776th birthday. For his august birth Caput Mundi offers a large calendar of events for residents and tourists. The celebrations were opened by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri who today placed a laurel wreath at the Altare della Patria. A mass celebrated by the Cardinal Angelo De Donatis in the Chapel of the Palazzo dei Conservatori. Definitely a long and intense day dedicated to culture; to discover the history and treasures of the Eternal City.
Rome Eternal City
Christmas in Rome offers the opportunity to officially present an extraordinary artifact found during the excavations for the construction of Metro C, specifically, the station Porta Metronia. The image, which can be dated around the fourth century, therefore in the middle of the imperial age, is reproduced on gold leaf and represents the Urbs, the city, according to the widespread iconography, with a helmet and a spear. The precious find will be exhibited within the exhibition VRBS ROME at the Capitoline Museums. Precisely for the 2776th birthday, the Rome Capital Museum System grants free access to both the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions.
Among the key events is the one animated by the Gruppo Storico Romano which presents the XXIII edition of the celebrations for the Christmas in Rome at the Circus Maximus. The event will be absolutely free for citizens and tourists and will take place until 23 April. The theme of this edition is “Rome: Queen Aqvarum”, a tribute to the preciousness of water in the history of the city. Again to honor today's important day, the municipal rose garden reopens to the public with free admission. A tradition that has been going on for years now, as well as an opportunity for many citizens to discover a splendid garden that houses an extraordinary botanical collection made up of varieties of roses from all over the world.
The magic of lights of the Pantheon and the evening walk to the Roman Forum
Then there is a fascinating phenomenon that is magical and which is reported to residents and tourists. Indeed, every April 21, the sun's rays penetrate the oculus of the Pantheon at 12 precisely, perfectly illuminating the bronze entrance door, the one from which the emperor entered. The light effect that, still today, fascinates visitors adds a further and suggestive regal aura to the Rome Christmas. And, again, not to be forgotten, the moon which is reflected in the Roman Forum. Its ruins become a unique scenario for those who choose to take an evening stroll in the archaeological area. The promenade at dusk starts at the foot of the Capitol Hill where you can admire the remains of a Roman insula and then climb towards the square above to try to understand all the secrets of the most important hill of Caput Mundi.
Happy birthday Rome!
(Highlighted photo by italiani.it archive)
