ItalyUpdate

Milan magnificent gothic cathedral has 135 spires, all in desperate need of restoration and the Venerando  Fabbrica del Doumo, which has been in charge of maintenance since the Duomo was built in 1387, has launched an appeal for sponsors to help with repairs.

The Patchwork idea Association of Treviso (Veneto) is holding the XVII edition of its exhibition of quilts created by members, inspired by the traditional handmade patchwork developed in America at the time of the pioneers.

The 2012 edition of Girolio, the olive oil progression around Italy, organized by the Associazione Nazionale Città˝ dell'Olio (national association of Olive Oil towns) continues to make its way up the Italian peninsula from Apulia to Trentino, stopping at dozens of olive oil producing areas on the way.

Verona city council has decided to take drastic steps to halt the systematic defacing of its most famous monument,  the Casa del Cappello, the alleged home of Juliet Capulet, Shakespeare doomed heroine.

The archaeological site of Pompeii, one of Italys major tourist attractions with an average of 15,000 visitors per day, is to be protected by 400 closed circuit cameras to prevent theft and vandalism.

Maurizio Marinella, Naples world famous tie manufacturer, scored another hit by supplying the ties worn by actor Daniel Craig in the latest hit James Bond film, Skyfall 

Horse lovers will hasten to the 114  th edition of Fieracavalli (Horse Fair) held this year between the 8-11 November. Among the main attractions is the 13,000 sqm area dedicated to the Spanish region, with 200 different examples of pure bred Spanish and Lusitanian horses on display.

The XIII Biennial of Architecture, directed by David Chipperfield, remains open in the Gardens of the Arsenal until the 25 November 2012. Entitled Common Ground, this edition aimed to create a unifying theme among participants.

Mestre, near Venice, is holding a special exhibition entitled Il Paesaggio che Esiste (The Landscape that Exists) to honour the memory of the artist Vittorio Felisati, also known as the painter of joy.