Thousands of Vespa enthusiasts They took Rome this Saturday to celebrate the 80 years of history of this legendary motorcycle, rolling in front of the capital’s main monuments, such as the Colosseum, and braving an intense heat wave.
Around 25,000 ‘Vespas’ from 67 countries from all over the world have crossed the Eternal City in what is now the “largest parade ever organized” by the enthusiasts of this ‘motorino’, according to figures from the Piaggio Group.
Tour of the main monuments of the capital
The parade was inaugurated by the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieriand has passed through some of the most emblematic points of the Italian capital, such as the Coliseumthe avenue of the Imperial Forums, Piazza Venezia or the Circus Maximus. All of this armored with a extensive safety device that has forced to deploy 130 police officers and to modify the route of local public transport.
The ‘vespistas’ have paraded showing the flags of their countries and other insignia and sounding the horn before the curious gaze of the many tourists who crowd the Italian capital. But they have also challenged the intense heat wave that is breathed in Rome, with temperatures that are around 37 degrees Celsius.
Eight decades of history of an Italian icon
The Vespa was invented in 1946 by the businessman Enrico Piaggio with the intention of revolutionizing mobility with a cheap, agile two-wheeled vehicle for all audiences… “Men, women and even a priest in a cassock,” its creator boasted.
Throughout these eighty yearsthe almost 20 million copies sold throughout the world, in its multiple and different models, and its presence in popular culture have made this moped a real emblem of italian design.
So much so that Italian institutions have thrown themselves into the celebrations for the anniversary and have even coined a silver commemorative coin for the state numismatic collection.
The celebration will continue until Sunday
The Prime Minister herself, Giorgia Melonireceived the directors of the Piaggio Group in Rome this week and highlighted that the Vespa “is not only an industrial excellence, but also one of the most loved Italian icons” throughout the planet.
The ‘Vespistas’ party will last until Sunday and will be based at the camp installed in the Italic Forum of the capital, enlivened with music, exhibitions and numerous events.
