PeopleparticipateinthegladiatortournamentatCircusMaximusinRome,April20,2024.ThecityofRomecelebratedits2,777thbirthdayonSundaywithaweekendofhistoricalre-enactmentsofancientRomanrituals.(Xinhua/LiJing)ROME,April21(Xinhua)--Italy'scapitalcelebratedthecity's2,777thbirthdaySunday,theannualretrospectiveofthecity'slonghistorythatinrecentyearshasgrownincreasinglypopularwithtourists.OnSunday,thecityeruptedwithconcerts,exhibits,ceremoniesandaparadeofmorethan2,000peoplemarchingaslegionaries,centurions,Senators,gladiators,vestals,priestesses,andnobles,alldressedinfullRoman-eracostumes."It'sawaytopaytributetoourcity'shistorywhileenjoyingourselvesandshowingofftovisitorsandstudents,"MarcoContarini,a29-year-oldcoffeebarworkerwhoparticipatedinSunday'sparadedressedasacenturion,toldXinhua.Accordingtotradition,RomewasfoundedonApril21,753B.C.Sunday'scelebrationwasheldinCircusMaximus,aformerRoman-eraracetrackthatliesinalowareabetweenthePalatineandtheAventine,thehillswithadeepconnectiontothecity'shistory.PrestonJuanLoria,a49-year-oldprojectmanagerfromFlorida,theUnitedStates,saidthatdiscoveringtheday'sfestivitieswasahappycoincidencewhileonvacationinthecity."Wedidn'tplantocometoRomeforthecity'sbirthdaybutseeingallthisisagreatwaytospendpartofaday,takingitallin,"LoriatoldXinhua."Iespeciallyenjoyedseeingthecontrasts,theperiodcostumesinamoderncity."ThoughtheoriginsofSunday'scelebrationsdatebackcenturies,theeventshavecaughtonwithtravelersastourisminItalyhasrecoveredfromthesetbacksofthecoronaviruspandemic.TherearenoofficialestimatesforthenumberofpeoplewhoparticipatedinSunday'sactivities,mediareportssaidthecityhaddeployedextrapoliceforsecurityandtrafficcontrol.Hotelbookingswerehigherthanusualfortheweekend,mediareportssaid.Peopletakepartinaparadetocelebratethe2,777thbirthdayofRomeinRome,capitalofItaly,April21,2024.ThecityofRomecelebratedits2,777thbirthdayonSundaywithaweekendofhistoricalre-enactmentsofancientRomanrituals.(Xinhua/LiJing)Peopletakepartinaparadetocelebratethe2,777thbirthdayofRomeinRome,capitalofItaly,April21,2024.ThecityofRomecelebratedits2,777thbirthdayonSundaywithaweekendofhistoricalre-enactmentsofancientRomanrituals.(Xinhua/LiJing)Peopletakepartinaparadetocelebratethe2,777thbirthdayofRomeinRome,capitalofItaly,April21,2024.ThecityofRomecelebratedits2,777thbirthdayonSundaywithaweekendofhistoricalre-enactmentsofancientRomanrituals.(Xinhua/LiJing)Peopletakepartinaparadetocelebratethe2,777thbirthdayofRomeinRome,capitalofItaly,April21,2024.ThecityofRomecelebratedits2,777thbirthdayonSundaywithaweekendofhistoricalre-enactmentsofancientRomanrituals.(Xinhua/LiJing)Peopletakepartinaparadetocelebratethe2,777thbirthdayofRomeinRome,capitalofItaly,April21,2024.ThecityofRomecelebratedits2,777thbirthdayonSundaywithaweekendofhistoricalre-enactmentsofancientRomanrituals.(Xinhua/LiJing)Peopletakepartinaparadetocelebratethe2,777thbirthdayofRomeinRome,capitalofItaly,April21,2024.ThecityofRomecelebratedits2,777thbirthdayonSundaywithaweekendofhistoricalre-enactmentsofancientRomanrituals.(Xinhua/LiJing)Peopletakepartinaparadetocelebratethe2,777thbirthdayofRomeinRome,capitalofItaly,April21,2024.ThecityofRomecelebratedits2,777thbirthdayonSundaywithaweekendofhistoricalre-enactmentsofancientRomanrituals.(Xinhua/LiJing)Peopletakepartinaparadetocelebratethe2,777thbirthdayofRomeinRome,capitalofItaly,April21,2024.ThecityofRomecelebratedits2,777thbirthdayonSundaywithaweekendofhistoricalre-enactmentsofancientRomanrituals.(Xinhua/LiJing)AcouplewatchestheImperialforainRome,Italy,April.21,2024.Italy'scapitalcelebratedthecity's2,777thbirthdaySunday,theannualretrospectiveofthecity'slonghistorythatinrecentyearshasgrownincreasinglypopularwithtourists.(PhotobyAlbertoLingria/Xinhua)AseagullstandsontheheadofthestatueofMarcusAureliusattheCapitolineHillinRome,Italy,April.21,2024.Italy'scapitalcelebratedthecity's2,777thbirthdaySunday,theannualretrospectiveofthecity'slonghistorythatinrecentyearshasgrownincreasinglypopularwithtourists.(PhotobyAlbertoLingria/Xinhua)ThisphototakenonApril21,2024showsthemoonabovePiazzaVeneziainRome,Italy.Italy'scapitalcelebratedthecity's2,777thbirthdaySunday,theannualretrospectiveofthecity'slonghistorythatinrecentyearshasgrownincreasinglypopularwithtourists.(PhotobyAlbertoLingria/Xinhua)AseagullstandsontheheadofthestatueofMarcusAureliusattheCapitolineHillinRome,Italy,April.21,2024.Italy'scapitalcelebratedthecity's2,777thbirthdaySunday,theannualretrospectiveofthecity'slonghistorythatinrecentyearshasgrownincreasinglypopularwithtourists.(PhotobyAlbertoLingria/Xinhua)ThisphototakenonApril21,2024showsthemoonabovePiazzaVeneziainRome,Italy.Italy'scapitalcelebratedthecity's2,777thbirthdaySunday,theannualretrospectiveofthecity'slonghistorythatinrecentyearshasgrownincreasinglypopularwithtourists.(PhotobyAlbertoLingria/Xinhua)TouristsvisittheImperialforainRome,Italy,April.21,2024.Italy'scapitalcelebratedthecity's2,777thbirthdaySunday,theannualretrospectiveofthecity'slonghistorythatinrecentyearshasgrownincreasinglypopularwithtourists.(PhotobyAlbertoLingria/Xinhua)AtouristwatchestheImperialforainRome,Italy,April.21,2024.Italy'scapitalcelebratedthecity's2,777thbirthdaySunday,theannualretrospectiveofthecity'slonghistorythatinrecentyearshasgrownincreasinglypopularwithtourists.(PhotobyAlbertoLingria/Xinhua)Editor:DisclaimerTheviewsandopinionsexpressedinthisarticlearethoseoftheauthor's,GMW.cnmakesnorepresentationsastoaccuracy,suitability,orvalidityofanyinformationonthissiteandwillnotbeliableforanyerrors,omissions,ordelaysinthisinformation.