On 1 May every year Italy dedicates a public holiday to its workers. In Rome buses and trams will run from 08.30 to 13.00 and from 16.30 to 21.00, with the usual night hour services during the nights either side of the holiday.
Rail services to Ostia, Viterbo and Giardinetti will follow festive timetables. The city's metro lines will operate from 05.30 until 01.30, although the Manzoni and S. Giovanni stations on the A line will close at 15.00, coinciding with Piazza S. Giovanni's traditional May Day concert organised annually by the main Italian trades unions.
Presented by actor Francesco Pannofino and showgirl Virginia Raffaele, the eight-hour concert line-up features Elisa, Almamegretta, Subsonica, Marina Rei, Alessandro Mannarino, Caparezza, Afterhours and Toys Orchestra.
Even the award-winning Stomp – in town for six performances at the nearby Teatro Brancaccio – makes an appearance. An orchestra will play twelve classic tracks from bands such as Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. The concert is expected to finish at around midnight.
The area around Piazza S. Giovanni will be closed to traffic from 08.30 on 1 May until around 05.00 the next morning, once the city's refuse collectors Ama finish clearing the streets.
In addition to the closure of the square, the streets affected include Via Amba Aradam, Via Merulana, Via Nola, Piazza S. Croce in Gerusalemme, Via S. Croce in Gerusalemme, Via Magnagrecia, Piazzale Appio, as well as a stretch of Via Appia and Via La Spezia.
The hour-long Primo Maggio Marathon departs from Via Carlo Felice at the corner of Via Conte Rosso at 10.00. During this time there will be disruptions to public transport in the area, to allow the 500 athletes to run through Piazza S. Giovanni in Laterano, Piazza del Colosseo, Largo Brancaccio, Via Emanuele Filiberto and Viale Manzoni, before returning to Via Carlo Felice.
For detailed traffic information including diverted bus routes see www.agenziamobilita.roma.it.
Wanted in Rome
