This year also marks the return of the Spring FAI Days, the most important event dedicated to Italy’s cultural and landscape heritage: 750 locations in 400 cities will be accessible for free or with a voluntary contribution, thanks to volunteers and FAI Groups active in all regions. Among these are: the Brion Memorial in Altivole, the Legislative A...

A boundless passion, that of Italians, for the Peninsula's heritage. Even, and especially, for that which is in danger of fading into abandonment and oblivion. The 11th edition of the Fai Places of the Heart, which closed on December 15 last year, today reveals its winning sites. On the podium are Gallipoli in Puglia, Campobasso in Molise and Aless...

The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is no doubt one of Assisi’s major attractions; yet, how many know of or venture along the nearby trails and woods where Francis himself, and his friars, walked in nature and dedicated themselves to contemplation. It is here, behind the Basilica, that FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano, has restored and opened to t...

More than 700 noted Italian buildings and historic sites open their doors to the public for free on the weekend of 15-16 October as part of the Giornate FAI d'Autunno. The annual autumn open days initiative organised by Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI) will allow entry into palaces, villas, castles, churches, abbeys, parks, gardens, towers, theatres a...

Italy is full of culturally important sites. In fact, there are so many that it becomes nearly impossible to fund their maintenance and sometimes, sorely needed rescue and repair operations. I Luoghi del Cuore (or “Places of the Heart is an initiative conducted by FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano), a private, non-profit organization that serves as the...

As Italy’s general election looms, the public is asked to go to the polls for another national campaign: I Luoghi del Cuore (or "Places of the Heart"). The initiative is conducted by FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano), a private, non-profit organization that serves as the National Trust of Italy.  Working in collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural H...

Around 700 noted Italian buildings and historic sites open their doors to the public on the weekend of 26-27 March as part of the annual Spring Days initiative organised by the Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI). The sites include rarely-opened palaces, castles, abbeys, libraries, parks, nature trails and gardens in 400 towns and cities across Italy, in...

The readers of popular online food and wine daily All Food Sicily (www.allfoodsicily.it) selected the most beautiful place on their island: Militello in Val di Catania. The publication, which focuses on the rich and multifaceted world of Sicilian eno-gastronomic tradition, proposed a survey to vote the island’s most charming place, in a competition...

Around 600 noted Italian buildings and historic sites open their doors to the public free of charge on the weekend of 15-16 May as part of the annual Giornate FAI di Primavera initiative organised by the Fondo Ambiente Italiano. The sites include rarely-opened palaces, castles, abbeys, libraries, parks, nature trails and gardens, with FAI identifyi...

On February 25th, the winners of the cultural contest have been announced. Let’s have a look at the podium of the Luoghi Del Cuore 2021 ( Places in the Heart 2021 ). The Bronze Medal: Brescia’s Castle. With a total of 43.469 votes, this Medieval fortress and castle gained the third place. It’s in the northern region of Veneto, not too far from Mila...