In The Name Of Rome

Everyone has a name’s day, but in Italy even cities do. Well, kind of! Last Wednesday was Saints Peter and Paul’s day. Everyone whose name is Peter or Paul (in Italian are Pietro and Paolo), celebrated his name’s day on the 29th. Since Peter is also the protector saint of Rome, the city celebrated as well.

To start with, Wednesday was bank holiday for all the people working in Rome. Offices were closed and many stores as well, except restaurants, bars and all the main shopping points. Also, most of the Romans left the city to spend a day in the countryside or at the beach, to ease the high temperature which hit 95° F. The result was a less crowded Rome to be visited.

Then we had concerts: the “Toccata e Fuga,” with street musicians playing randomly in Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona and other special places; Franco Califano, the most famous Roman song writer, performed at the Verano; and the rock band from California Korn played at the open air festival Rock In Roma. Music for everyone, all over the city!


Don’t forget this is also a religious fest, and many celebrations went on in the churches. Finally, at sunset the Pope took a tour in the city carrying Saint Paul’s chain. And the people, religious or not, thanked Saints Peter and Paul for the exciting day!