The Italian Environmental Fund
(FAI) is holding the 27th edition of its "Spring Days"
initiative on March 23 and 24, with more than 1,100 sites open
especially for the occasion, including 296 religious sites, 227
palaces and villas, 30 castles, and 50 villages across 430 towns
and 20 regions.
Andrea Carandini and Marco Magnifico, FAI president and
vice-president, respectively, called the event a "true bridge
between cultures".
Carandini called Italy an "amalgam of precious metals -
indigenous, strangers - that have given life to the most
meaningful and wonderful melting pot on our plane".
Culture Minister Alberto Bonisoli said Italy is a country "that
changes in just a few kilometres", resulting in "different
cultures, landscapes, traditions, and gastronomy".
"When these meet, with the right environment and dialogue,
the result is greater than the sum of its parts," Bonisoli said.
This year about a hundred foreign guides will join the 40,000
apprentice FAI guides to give tours at the event locations.
Magnifico said there is something for everyone among the
various sites to visit.
One example, he said, is a 16th-century castle "that no one
knows about" in the northern town of Melegnano, near Milan,
whose "signore" was the "villain Medeghino dei Medici".
The castle will open its non-restored east wing especially
for the occasion.
In La Spezia, visitors can tour two ships, the Italia and the
Bergamini.
In Florence, the Artemio Franchi stadium will be open to
visitors.
In Catania, visitors can tour the works of Street Art Silos.
Sites will also include 35 parks and gardens, 22
archaeological sites, 23 bell towers, 11 libraries, eight former
psychiatric clinics or historic hospitals, 12 theatres, and 20
bicycle paths in collaboration with the Italian Federation of
the Friends of the Bicycle, FIAB.
FAI Spring Days have seen nearly 11 million visitors since
the event first began in 1993.
FAI said it aims to increase its membership to 250,000
members from the current 190,000 by next year.
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