Rome marks Festa di SS. Pietro e Paolo on 29 June.

Rome celebrates its patron saints Peter and Paul with a public holiday in the Italian capital on Thursday 29 June, leading to the closure of many shops, businesses and offices in the city.

The annual holiday marks the liturgical feast in honour of the martyrdom in Rome of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, in a celebration that dates back to ancient Christian times.

The date commemorates the death of the two saints, both of whom are said to be buried at the two basilicas that bear their names: St Peter's and St Paul's Outside the Walls.

• Italy's public holidays: a quick guide

A religious procession will take place at the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls, leading to the closure of part of Via Ostiense and resulting in traffic restrictions in the area.

The fact that the festa falls on a Thursday this year will lead many Rome residents to take the following day off to make a ponte (bridge) or long weekend.

Infiorata

The historic infiorata floral display also returns to Piazza Pio XII and along Via della Conciliazione, in front of St Peter's, and can be admired throughout 29 June.

The multi-coloured flower carpet features images made from tens of thousands of petals, along with salt and coloured sawdust. The tradition dates back to 1625 but was abandoned for around four centuries before being restored in recent years.

Girandola

The city holiday on 29 June is best associated with a spectacular fireworks display, known as the Girandola, which returns to its historic location at Castel S. Angelo in 2023 after moving to Piazza del Popolo several years ago.

The 22-minute spectacle will begin at 22.30, re-enacting a tradition that dates back to the 15th century, Italy's culture ministry announced in a statement on Wednesday night.

The idea of Michelangelo, perfected by Bernini, the fireworks display was first introduced in 1481 and has inspired writers and artists through the centuries including Dickens, Belli and Piranesi.

The best places to view the spectacle tonight include Lungotevere Tor di Nona and the bridges of Vittorio Emanuele II, Sant’Angelo and Umberto I.

Visitors to Rome should note that the Vatican Museums are closed on 29 June.

Cover photo Il Messaggero. Article updated 29 June.