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Ciao Bella Ciao Bella
Ciao Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Bella
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Bread and Circuses to Celebrate Rome’ Birthday

April 21, 753 BC and we are still having a party.  Welcome to the rank and file– legions, emperors, entertainers and barbarians as they marched through the city to celebrate the Natale di Roma (founding of Rome). 

The third week of April, Rome commemorates its ancient founding and the Eternal City’s birthday is never a bore, thanks to Gruppo Storico Romano, an Ancient Rome cultural association of gladiators, centurions and more who lead a historical procession through the city to celebrate the Natale di Roma.

Gruppo Storico Romano is Rome’s premier combat gladiator school and for nearly two decades, the group has organized Rome’s city-wide birthday celebration, inviting centurions, emperors, barbarians, gladiators, legions and vestal virgins from across Italy and Europe (as close as Spain, as far as Georgia and Poland) to take part in the annual Natale di Roma parade and participate in re-enactments at the Circus Maximus.

Rome's reenactor group Gruppo Storico Romano marches in costumes for Rome's birthday

Fully geared legions, show-stopping barbarians and more come together to celebrate the Empire with well-orchestrated marches and combat performances.

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About Ciao Bella

Ciao Bella celebrates contemporary Italy in a digital magazine and podcast. Consider Ciao Bella an infinite treasure chest revealing the bel paese’s most captivating people, events and sites, and the best in-the-know spots to sip, chat and chew.

About Erica Firpo

Erica Firpo is an experienced travel and lifestyle journalist, and podcaster based in Rome. Italian and American, Erica gets to the heart of culture in Ciao Bella and more. She’s authored over a dozen travel books including Fodor’s, Insight Guides and Lonely Planet.

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