ItalyUpdate

An ancient and very rare breed of Scottish sheep has joined the Slow Food protected list.  The North Ronaldsay Sheep, which lives wild on the Orkney island of Ronaldsay, feeds on seaweed, giving its meat a unique spicy and gamey flavour.

The charming alpine town of Saluzzo (Cuneo, Piedmont) has launched a season-long programme of events to attract visitors throughout the summer.

An exceptional collection of historic maiolican art is on display in the Palazzo Madama Civic Museum of Ancient Art, Turin, until the 14 October 2019. Italy of the Renaissance. The Splendour of Maiolica shows rare '400-'500 pieces from celebrated Italian ceramic

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