“Vedere Roma e poi morire.”
See Rome and then die.
Buongiorno and welcome to Monday, June 1 — the first day of summer's opening month in the Eternal City. The Church today keeps the Memorial of St. Justin Martyr, the second-century philosopher who defended Christianity before the Roman emperors and gave his life for the faith in Rome itself. Yesterday was a day of extraordinary spectacle: the 109th Giro d'Italia reached its triumphant conclusion at the Circus Maximus, where Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard sealed the overall victory as Italy's Jonathan Milan sprinted to the stage win; but the celebrations took an alarming turn when dozens of Italian army horses bolted through the streets near Via dei Fori Imperiali, spooked by fireworks, leaving four people injured in a scene that stunned onlookers. All eyes now turn to tomorrow's Festa della Repubblica — the 80th anniversary of the 1946 referendum that made Italy a republic — with the traditional military parade along Via dei Fori Imperiali and a Frecce Tricolori flypast expected to draw tens of thousands. In sporting news, NBA superstar Luka Dončić announced plans to bring top-flight basketball back to Rome after a six-year absence. Weather: warm and sunny with highs near 28°C, a light southerly breeze — a fine Roman Monday.
Professional basketball is returning to Rome after a six-year absence, following the acquisition of Vanoli Cremona by an investment group led by former Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson and Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić. The group announced Friday that the club will relocate to the Italian capital for the 2026–27 season, restoring Rome's presence in Serie A for the first time since Virtus Roma ceased operations in 2020 due to financial difficulties. Dončić, the Slovenian guard who averaged 33.5 points per game for the Lakers this season, said in a statement: 'I have dreamed about owning a team in Europe for a long time, to finally have this happen is amazing. Vanoli has a great history, and we are ready to take it to the next level in Rome.' The group has submitted a bid for the franchise to join NBA Europe, a proposed 16-team league backed by NBA commissioner Adam Silver that could launch as early as October 2027, with Rome and Milan as target cities.
Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard of Visma–Lease a Bike secured overall victory in the 109th Giro d'Italia on Sunday, completing a historic career grand slam that adds the Corsa Rosa to his two Tour de France titles and Vuelta a España crowns. The 131 km final stage, which started in Rome's EUR district and finished at the Circus Maximus after eight laps through the historic centre, was won in a bunch sprint by Italy's Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), who powered past Giovanni Lonardi and France's Paul Penhoët on the finishing straight. The race saw three stage victories each for Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) and Ecuador's Jhonatan Narváez (UAE Team Emirates XRG). Rome has hosted the Giro finale for the fourth consecutive year, with the circuit taking riders past the Baths of Caracalla, the Colosseum, and along Via dei Fori Imperiali before the ceremonial finish beneath the Palatine Hill.
Composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi was awarded the McKim Medal at the American Academy in Rome's annual gala, held at Villa Aurelia on the Janiculum Hill on 27 May. The McKim Medal, designed by Cy Twombly and handcrafted by Bvlgari, recognizes individuals whose creative work embodies the Academy's mission of fostering artistic and scholarly excellence. The gala raised over €1 million for the Academy's fellowship programme, supporting emerging artists and scholars pursuing research in Rome. Einaudi, whose minimalist compositions have made him one of the world's best-selling classical artists, will perform a series of concerts at the Auditorium Parco della Musica from 19–22 June as part of the Roma Summer Fest.
Rome is preparing for the 80th anniversary of the Festa della Repubblica on 2 June, marking the 1946 institutional referendum that abolished the monarchy and established the Italian Republic. The centrepiece of the celebrations is the traditional military parade along Via dei Fori Imperiali, presided over by President Sergio Mattarella, with representatives from all branches of the Italian armed forces and civil protection services. The Frecce Tricolori, Italy's national aerobatic team, will paint the sky above the Altare della Patria in green, white, and red. The Quirinale Palace gardens will open to the public free of charge, and many state museums across Rome will offer discounted or free admission. Festivities continue through the weekend, with concerts and street events across the city's piazzas.