FAI  (Fondo Ambiente Italiano), an organization dedicated to saving Italys cultural, natural and artistic heritage, has announced its most recent success og the restoration of the sacred wood of St. Francis of Assisi. The wood has always been closely connected with the figure of the Poverello, who loved to stroll among the trees and preach his message of harmony between man and nature.

The wood was donated to FAI in 2008 by the bank Intesa Sanpaolo and the work carried out on the paths and undergrowth in order to open the area to the public was financed with the support of the Basilica of Assisi and the Sacred Convent of San Francesco d'Assisi.

St. Francis Wood is actually an extensive rural area covering 60 hectares and includes woodland, fields, olive groves, hills, meadows and little farms. The project included the restoration of the XII century Benedictine nunnery of Santa Croce. A special point of interest has been created in a clearing by artist Michaelangelo Pistoletto, who has installed a Land Art work, part of his Terzo Paradiso cycle.

Other successes chalked up by FAI in 2011 were the opening to the public of the Olivetti Shop in Piazza San Marco, Venice on the 20 April and Villa dei Vescovi at Luvigliano di Torreglia, Padua on the 21 June.

For information: www.fondoambiente,it