AB VRBE CONDITA – Rome, Light of Civilization

Rome reborn from its origins

AB VRBE CONDITA – Rome, Light of Civilization is the historical re-enactment event that the APS Civiltà Romana association dedicates to the Natale di Roma, the anniversary celebrating the legendary founding of the city on April 21st. The Latin title, meaning "from the founding of the city," immediately states its intent: to trace Rome's roots and present them not as textbook concepts, but as a living experience made of gestures, materials, sounds, and voices.

The festival, which grew over the years in the archaeological areas of the historic center—including the fenced area of the Circo Massimo, where several editions were held under the aegis of the Capitoline Superintendency—reached its fourteenth edition in 2026. For the first time, the organization was handled entirely by APS Civiltà Romana, which chose to move the format to a new, high-impact setting.

The Parco degli Acquedotti as a natural backdrop

In the Municipality of Rome, within the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital and the heart of the Lazio region, the Parco degli Acquedotti is one of the most recognizable spots in the Roman countryside: a vast expanse of meadows crossed by the monumental arches of ancient aqueducts, located within the Appia Antica Regional Park in the 7th Municipality. It is here, among the brick pillars and the silhouettes of the arches, that the legionaries and centurions of the re-enactment set up camp: a backdrop no stage design could ever replicate.

The choice is not accidental. The aqueducts tell the story of what Roman civilization truly was better than any commemorative monument: hydraulic engineering, organization, and the ability to sustain an ancient metropolis. Around these structures, the event attempts to reconstruct the rest—the army, work, home life, and leisure.

What to see on the field

The heart of the event is the educational camp, open to the public throughout the weekend. The re-enactors, wearing clothing and carrying weaponry reconstructed based on historical sources, offer:

• military demonstrations: legionary equipment, formations, maneuvers, and legion discipline;
• camp life moments: ordinary camp activities, from cooking to equipment maintenance;
• scenes of daily life in ancient Rome, with a focus on trades and everyday objects;
• educational activities designed for families, children, and schools, with accessible explanations and the chance to engage directly with the re-enactors.

In the editions hosted at the Circo Massimo, the route was organized into thematic stations dedicated to military life and legionary weaponry, gladiatorial arts, music, writing, jewelry and makeup, and ancient board games: an educational structure that remains the recognizable hallmark of the event.

A growing project

At the end of the 2026 edition, the organizers were pleased with the high turnout recorded over the weekend and openly declared their intention to return to the same site, "on a larger scale," asking visitors and enthusiasts for comments and suggestions. The stated goal is to transform AB VRBE CONDITA into a permanent fixture of the Roman spring calendar, linked to the Parco degli Acquedotti.

It should be noted that this event is distinct from the large Natale di Roma parade organized by the Gruppo Storico Romano, which animates the historic center around April 21st every year: two different initiatives, with different organizers, celebrating the same anniversary from complementary perspectives. Those who love ancient Rome can easily follow both during the same period.

Who it is for

The outdoor setting, the meadows, and the family-friendly atmosphere make AB VRBE CONDITA particularly suitable for families with children, but the philological care of the re-enactment groups also makes it interesting for enthusiasts of Roman history, experimental archaeology, and living history. The context—a public park frequented by runners, cyclists, and Romans looking for greenery—adds the simple pleasure of a day trip within the city limits to the experience.