Rome's founding day

The progress of the contest "Goddess of Rome"Founding of Rome (Natale di Roma) – April 21, a civil holiday that is not a public holiday.

According to legend, Rome was founded by Romulus in May 11 (April 21) 753 BC.

The symbolic opening of the gates of the city, so that tourists and people from all parts of the world can enter them.

Since 2004, the “Goddess of Rome” competition has been held, in which contestants from 18 to 30 years old who live in Italy or countries that were once part of the Roman Empire can participate. Girls should try to embody the ideal of Roman female beauty and spiritual qualities.

The winner will receive as a prize the opportunity to go to the beginning of the Historical motorcade, which traditionally involves many Italians and foreigners in costumes of Romans.

The Roman school of gladiators also gives performances in honor of the holiday.

All events are accompanied by traditional Roman music and food.

In 2008, the celebrations stretched for 4 days, from Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April. The day after the 2008 election of the Goddess of Rome, a ceremony was held to light the sacred fire. The costumed performance, which took place at the temple of Hercules, was watched by numerous tourists, photographers and connoisseurs of Roman culture.

The ceremony is called La Palilia. The performance begins with a story about the origin of Palilia: “the priestesses of the goddess Vesta, the keeper of fire and the hearth of the house, were called Vestals.”