The 67^th Festa della Repubblica celebrations to mark Italy’s national day take place in Rome on Sunday 2 June, in commemoration of the day in 1946 when Italians voted in favour of a republic and against the monarchy which had been discredited by its behaviour during world war two.

This year the celebrations will be reduced, like last year, as the government attempts to keep costs down. For the second consecutive year there will be no Frecce Tricolori aerial salute, which traditionally features nine fighter jets flying in formation over the Colosseum, emitting plumes of the three colours from the Italian flag.

The annual event begins at 09.15 when President Napolitano lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Piazza Venezia, followed by a military parade of 3,300 soldiers and civilians along Via dei Fori Imperiali from 10.00-11.00.

The parade’s route, which runs from Viale Terme di Caracalla towards Piazza Venezia, will be closed from 07.00-13.00 on Sunday, while all vehicles in the parade’s path will be removed from midnight the night before.

There will be street closures and traffic diversions in the area between the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia from 05.30 on Sunday.

There are also numerous bus diversions, including the temporary suspension of bus terminals at Piazza Venezia and Via del Teatro Marcello.

The Metro B stops at Colosseo and Circo Massimo will be closed from 05.30 and trains will not be stopping at either station. Those who wish to reach the Colosseum area by Metro B should get off at the Cavour stop.

All archaeological sites in the area will be closed to tourists on Sunday, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trajan's Markets, and the Altare della Patria. However, the Quirinale gardens are open to the public free of charge from 15.00-19.00.

Last year, the parade was also a reduced affair, partly due to the economic crisis but also out of respect for the victims of two earthquakes in northern Italy.