ItalyUpdate

The enterprising Franciscan Brothers of the Roman church of San Francesco a Ripa in Trastevere have managed in little over a month to raise $128.500 to restore the cell where St. Francis of Assisi stayed when he came to visit Pope Innocent III between 1209 and 1223.

Following the success of the exhibition in the Scuderie del Quirinali, Rome, dedicated to the great Roman Emperor Augustus, Rome continues the celebration of his bi-millenium throughout the rest of this year with a full programme of exhibitions and special events, to be held in the Ara Pacis museum and Trajan's Market.

The Design Lab of the San Patrignano community centre of Coriano (Rimini) shows three new collections of hand crafted furniture and design objects at this year's Milan Furniture Fair, which runs till the 13^th April 2014.

The success of the recent exhibition of Etruscan antiquities from Cerveteri (Lazio) in the prestigious Louvre-Lens Museum, France, has boosted international interest in the ancient Etruscan Necropolis that lies just outside the town. The Necropolis, known as the Banditaccia, has been a UNESCO heritage site since 2004. An authentic City of the Dead, it was in use for some eight centuries, preserving evidence of strata upon strata of civilization from the Iron Age to the Roman era.

Sure of the fact that few people can resist the charms of reading their horoscopes, the deluxe Hotel Plaza e de Russie of Viareggio has introduced a new facility that is sure to meet the approval, or - at least - arouse the curiosity of guests. With the assistance of astrologist Salvatore Madonna each rooms has been given a zodiac sign, based on its individual characteristics.

Sixteen towns in the Leogra valleys in western Alto Vicentino (Veneto) have put together an interesting programme of wine and taste tours around their territory. Launched with the brand name: Le Valle del Vino e del Racconto (Valleys of Wine and Legends) the initiative launches a series of itineraries of discovery and culture.

The seaside resort of Ladispoli (near Rome) is famous for its artichokes which thrive in the favourable conditions of the area and since they are so important for the local economy, they are suitably honoured with an annual spring festival. This year's version of the Sagra del Carciofo encompasses three events, spread over the next two weeks.

ROME LAUNCHES CAR POOLING

The city of Rome has launched a new car pooling service linked to users smartphones and tablets. Those wishing to share expenses on a car trip within the city territory can insert details of hours and itineraries on the relative website to find a suitable match.

The initiative is part of a project to try to cut down on traffic and pollution and can be found in the section viaggi condivisi (shared trips) on the website.

Info: www.muovi.roma.it

Romes Botanical Garden will finish restoring five of its historic hothouses in time for the summer season. The garden extends over 12 hectares and dates in its present form to 1883, though it was founded much earlier as a medicinal herbal garden by Pope Nicola III at the end of the 13^th century.  

Carrara (Tuscany) is to hold the second edition of the Unified World Championship of Martail Arts and Combat Sports between the 29^th October and the 2^nd November 2014.