The San Lorenzo and Pigneto districts of Rome are usually buzzing with university students drowning their sorrows with aperitivo on a Friday night, but under lockdown on March 13, instead the only sound was of the national anthem blaring from windows as Italians up and down the country came together for a 'flash mob' to raise morale in an increasingly difficult time.

No-one is allowed outside in the countrywide coronavirus lockdown - people can only move around for work, health needs or emergencies and anyone outside must keep a distance of at least one metre.

But on Friday (March 13) evening, Italians found an alternative way of enjoying the end of a week stuck at home - by taking to their windows and balconies playing instruments, singing and clapping together to try and bring some hope to the end of a tough week.

The national anthem 'Fratelli d'Italia' was blared out of speakers up and down the country and families sang along cheering from their balconies, clanging together saucepans, for a moment of respite.

The flashmob was organised on social media spread through WhatsApp.

Since Monday, a series of decrees from the Italian government have drastically limited citizens' movements, with vast swathes of the economy shut down and people instructed to leave the house only when strictly necessary.

All cultural events have also been suspended, prompting some celebrities to start organising online performances and museums to put virtual tours online.

Another attempt to boost morale has now come in the form of impromptu music at people's windows.

One recording in the Tuscan city of Siena has been viewed over 600,000 times on Twitter.

In it, residents sing the traditional "Canto della Verbena" about the city from their windows, including a rousing verse with the words "long live our Siena!".

Italian singer Andrea Sannino posted a compilation on his Instagram feed of people singing his song Abbracciame ("Embrace Me") at their windows in the southern city of Naples, his hometown.

"A day I will tell my children and grandchildren about," the singer wrote, adding: "Thank you for making me cry floods of tears!"

In another video purportedly of an apartment building in the northern city of Turin, residents can be seen on their balconies trying to perform the Macarena, a Spanish dance song, in unison.

On Friday evening in several districts of Rome, music and singing could be heard coming from people's windows, including renditions of the national anthem.

A message circulating on WhatsApp had encouraged people to sing specific songs on certain days, including the anthem on Friday.

Another tune heard on Friday night was Grazie Roma, a popular song from the 1990s, which includes the words: "Tell me what it is which makes us feel like we're together, even when we're apart."

Another social media initiative has seen Italians put up signs outside their homes saying "andra tutto bene" or "everything will be OK".

The slogan is accompanied by a picture of a rainbow - often drawn by children at home as school is cancelled.

Italy has been struck by the worst European outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic, with more than 17,000 cases and 1,266 deaths.