ItalyUpdate

Thousands of visitors have already flocked to see the Benois Madonna, that has returned to Italy after 35 years for a brief visit. On loan from the Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia, the painting is on display in Fabriano (Marche) until the 30 June 2019, to celebrate the annual conference of the Creative Cities of UNESCO, which will be held this year in the town

The Chapel of the Holy Shroud in Turin has won an important accolade from the EU Commission and Europa Nostra for the restoration work carried out after the devastating fire of 11-12 April 1997. The Shroud is venerated by many Christians as the winding sheet that wrapped the body of Christ when he was laid in the tomb after the crucifixion. The shroud itself was saved thanks to the quick intervention of firemen but the Chapel, a masterpiece of Baroque art designed by Guarino Guarini, was badly damaged.

Pesaro is celebrating today the grand opening of the new Rossini National Museum, dedicated to the celebrated opera composer Gioachino Rossini, who was born in the city in 1792.

The 14^th century San Francesco Bridge, Subiaco (Lazio), that arches over the Aniene River at the entrance to the town hit the limelight at the recent Cannes Film Festival when it was nominated top location in the Set of Culture competition organized by the European Film Commission.

Todi, one of the best preserved medieval towns in Umbria, has now acquired a contemporary touch. The four monumental Todi Columns by American sculptor Beverley Pepper,  have now returned to their original site in front of the Duomo.

Pet-friendly holiday destinations are enjoying a boom. According to statistics, 7 million pets go on holiday with their owners every year and 48% of the owners declare that their choice of destination depends on the assurance that their canine or feline friend will be welcome.

 

 

The historic 1907 art nouveau Ausonia & Hungaria Hotel at the Venice Lido, after a vast two-year restoration and upgrading operation, is now set to be one of the sights of Venice. Already striking, with its facade decorated with polychrome ceramic tiles of typical Liberty-style

The couple of peregrine falcons nesting on top of the Palazzo Pirelli in Milan has arrived for the second year and successfully hatched and raised two new chicks.

 What better debut for a newborn rose than

the spectacular setting of one of the world's most celebrated gardens? The "Grandi Giardini d'Italia" a new, crimson tea rose, created by the Barni Rose nursery for Judith Wade, founder of the Grandi Giardini Italiani (Great Italian Gardens) organization and nominated the "Queen of Gardens" by "Vanity Fair", had its official baptism in the Villa d'Este gardens (Tivoli), attended by Ms. Wade and Andrea Bruciati, curator of the three Tivoli jewels, Villa d'Este, Villa Adriana and the newly restored Temple of Hercules the Victor.

The splendid 17th century Corsini Gardens in Florence provide the backdrop for the "ArtigianatoePalazzo" (Crafts and Palace) event running from the 16-19 May 2019. This year's edition concentrates on the city's long ties with the local Russian community, and is subtitled "Memories of Russia in Florence".