On the evening of August 7, 2025, a remarkable scene unfolded in the heart of Rome. As the nearly-full Sturgeon Moon rose above the city’s skyline, its golden glow slipped through the ancient arches of the Colosseum, captivating both locals and tourists alike. Astrophotographer Paolo Palma was among those drawn to the spectacle, camera in hand, ready to capture a moment where history and the cosmos seemed to align.
Paolo’s images, snapped with a Nikon Coolpix p510 camera, are more than just photographs—they’re windows into a unique convergence of natural wonder and architectural majesty. "The sight was so unreal," Paolo recalled, describing how the Moon’s ascent framed perfectly within the Colosseum’s arches caused passersby to stop in their tracks. According to Paolo, "Many people on the streets, noticing the peculiar alignment between the ancient amphitheater and the Moon, began to stop to admire it and take photos and selfies." The lively scene outside the Colosseum quickly became a gathering of awe-struck onlookers, eager to record their own memories of the event.
As Paolo moved closer to the Colosseum for each shot, the Moon’s size appeared to change, creating a series of evocative images. "It was truly evocative to see the Moon through a window of the Colosseum," he noted. The juxtaposition of the Colosseum’s weathered columns and arches with the luminous Moon created what Paolo described as "a delicate ancient frame, almost like a real painting." The colors of the stone and the shifting hues of the Moon combined to form a scene that felt both timeless and fleeting.
Paolo wasn’t alone in his appreciation of the spectacle. "As the Moon rose, it gradually took on a colourful hue, attracting everyone's attention, and before long I wasn't the only one admiring the spectacle," he said. The atmosphere around the Colosseum became electric, with people asking strangers to take photos of them smiling, hugging, or even kissing with the Moon shining behind them. For a brief moment, the ancient amphitheater transformed into a communal stage for wonder and joy.
"Those who noticed the scene, in addition to marvelling and taking shots, asked passersby to take photos of them smiling, hugging or kissing with the Moon in the twilight sky behind them, looking out from the Colosseum," Paolo recalled. The experience, he suggested, likely echoed the feelings of ancient Romans who designed their monuments to align with celestial events. "This wonder is probably not unlike that felt by the ancients when they aligned their buildings and monuments with the stars," he mused. Paolo even suggested commemorating such conjunctions between sky and earth with more public events in the future, emphasizing that "the shots are indeed beautiful, but it's equally beautiful to witness the spectacle in person."
This celestial event was just one of many reasons Rome has become the epicenter of cultural and astronomical fascination this August. As the city’s residents and visitors gazed skyward, just a stone’s throw away, music lovers gathered for another kind of spectacle—one filled with the sounds of jazz and blues drifting through the night air.
The Jazz & Image Live @Colosseo Festival has transformed the Parco del Celio, which overlooks both the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine, into a vibrant open-air stage. Running from July 28 until October 15, 2025, the festival offers panoramic views of Rome’s most famous monument paired with performances by both Italian and international musicians. According to the festival’s organizers, the August lineup features celebrated artists such as Jimmy Greene, the Guy Mintus Trio, Joy Garrison, and the Olivia Trummer Trio.
Concerts begin at 21:00, but the festivities start earlier with "Aperitivi al Colosseo"—an opportunity for guests to enjoy drinks and socialize from 18:30 to 20:30 while soaking in the sunset views. The festival is a collaboration between the city and the Alexanderplatz jazz club, a cornerstone of Rome’s live music scene that recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. The city’s support of the festival underscores Rome’s commitment to blending its rich heritage with contemporary culture.
As reported by various outlets, the city has also announced ambitious plans to open up new areas of the Caelian Hill to visitors, promising even more opportunities for residents and tourists to explore Rome’s layered history. The Caelian Hill, one of the city’s famed seven hills, has long been a site of archaeological and architectural significance. By expanding public access, city officials hope to foster a deeper appreciation for Rome’s past while creating new spaces for cultural events like the Jazz & Image Live @Colosseo Festival.
For those attending the festival, the combination of live music, breathtaking views, and the city’s palpable sense of history makes for an unforgettable experience. With the Colosseum illuminated by moonlight and the sounds of jazz floating through the air, it’s easy to imagine ancient Romans looking on in approval. The festival’s organizers, drawing on four decades of experience from the Alexanderplatz jazz club, have curated a program that honors both tradition and innovation—a fitting tribute to a city that has always been at the crossroads of the old and the new.
The convergence of these events—the rising Sturgeon Moon and the ongoing music festival—has turned Rome into a living canvas where art, science, and community intersect. As Paolo Palma’s photographs circulate online, inspiring others to look up and appreciate the night sky, the festival’s music continues to draw crowds to the Parco del Celio. The city’s encouragement for people to share their own images of the Sturgeon Moon reflects a broader desire to make these moments communal, inviting everyone to participate in Rome’s ongoing story.
Whether you’re an avid stargazer, a jazz enthusiast, or simply a lover of history, this August in Rome offers something truly special. The ancient stones of the Colosseum, bathed in moonlight and music, remind us that wonder—whether found in the heavens or here on earth—is best when shared. And as the city prepares to open even more of its storied landscape to the public, it’s clear that Rome’s unique blend of past and present will continue to captivate for generations to come.
