Italy celebrates its national day (Festa della Repubblica) on 2 June, commemorating the national referendum of 1946 when Italians voted against the monarchy and in favour of a republic.

The president of the republic, Giorgio Napolitano, will lay a wreath in front of the memorial to the Unknown Soldier on the Altare della Patria at the Vittorio Emanuele monument in Piazza Venezia at 09.00, and police, armed forces and firemen will take part in a parade along Via dei Fori Imperiali from 10.00.

Due to the celebrations, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Bocca della Verit