🎉 Natale di Roma: Why April 21st Is the Eternal City’s Birthday

Every year on April 21st, Rome celebrates its own birthday. An ancient tradition known as the Natale di Roma. But why this date? What makes it so special, and how did it come to represent the founding of one of the most influential cities in human history?

Let’s dive into the legends, the facts, and the timeless charm of Rome’s birthday.

🏛️ The Legend: Romulus, Remus & the She-Wolf

The story begins in 753 BCE, according to Roman historian Marcus Terentius Varro, who pinpointed April 21st as the day Romulus founded the city.

As the myth goes, Romulus and Remus were twin brothers, abandoned as infants and miraculously saved and suckled by a she-wolf (lupa) in a cave known as the Lupercal on the Palatine Hill. Eventually, Romulus killed Remus during a dispute (legend has many versions of this), and went on to found the city of Rome, naming it after himself.

📅 Why April 21?

The date wasn’t chosen randomly. April 21st was already significant in Roman religion — it was the festival of Parilia, a rural celebration dedicated to Pales, the goddess (or god) of shepherds and livestock. Since Rome was first imagined as a community of shepherds, the date became symbolically linked with its pastoral origins.

By choosing this date, early Romans tied the birth of their city with divine favor and ancient rituals — an intentional connection to sacred tradition.

🏹 History Meets Myth

The date was formalized by Varro in the 1st century BCE, and the celebration gained prominence during the Roman Empire. Emperors often used it to associate themselves with the city’s divine foundation, reinforcing their authority and Rome’s destiny as caput mundi — the capital of the world.

Even during the Renaissance, artists and writers returned to this myth as a symbol of renewal, strength, and eternal identity.

🎭 Modern Celebrations

Today, the Natale di Roma is celebrated with:

• Historical re-enactments of Roman legions and gladiators in the Circus Maximus
• Parades, particularly from the Gruppo Storico Romano
• Open-air concerts, cultural events, and museum openings
• A fireworks show over the Tiber or in front of the Colosseum
• Ceremonies on the Palatine Hill, where it all began

For locals and visitors, it’s a day to step back in time and witness how deeply myth and memory intertwine in Rome’s streets.

🧱 Built on Stone, Rooted in Story

From its legendary she-wolf beginnings to its current place as a bustling modern capital, Rome has never stopped celebrating its past. The 21st of April isn’t just a day on the calendar — it’s a reminder of how this city, Made of Rome, was born from myth, built in stone, and shaped by centuries of history.

So next time you walk down Via dei Fori Imperiali or sip from a nasone, remember: you’re not just a tourist. You’re walking through a city that celebrates its own creation story — one that’s been told and retold for over 2,700 years.

Buon compleanno, Roma! 🐺🌿