Rome marks Natale di Roma on 21 April.

Rome celebrates 2,776 years today, 21 April, in a popular birthday tradition called Natale di Roma.

The annual celebration - known in ancient times as Dies Romana or Romaia - is based on the legendary founding of Rome by Romulus in 753 BC.

The Eternal City marks its birthday in 2023 with four days of historical re-enactments of ancient Roman rituals and gladiator fights.

Most of the action will take place at the Circus Maximus, from 20-23 April, where visitors of all ages can enjoy the free spectacles staged by the Gruppo Storico Romano historical dramatic society.

The four-day programme of events and workshops culminates in the costumed parade from the Circus Maximus, via the Colosseum, at 10.00 on Sunday morning.

To celebrate Natale di Roma the city opens its municipal museums for free - including the Capitoline Museums and the archaeological area of the Circus Maximus - on 21 April.

The city will display the newly-restored representation of the goddess Roma on ancient gold glass, discovered during subway works, and unveil the restored Fontana della dea Roma in Piazza del Campidoglio.

Natale di Roma also sees the reopening of the city's rose garden, or Roseto Comunale, on the Aventine hill.

Happy birthday Rome!