Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli granted special protection by UNESCO.

Villa Adriana, the vast imperial residence of Emperor Hadrian at Tivoli to the east of Rome, has been granted "enhanced protection in the event of armed conflict" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Hadrian's Villa was one of four cultural properties to receive the enhanced protection status at a recent UNESCO summit in Paris. The other three are the Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley (Armenia), Tugendhat Villa in Brno (Czech Republic) and the National Central Library of Florence.

Being added to this list grants immunity: in cases of armed conflict the sites can not be the object of attacks or be used for military purposes. Villa Adriana director Andrea Bruciati described the recognition as "significant of the enormous importance that our heritage has and its profound symbolic value."

Acknowledging that "we are living in an era and a geographical context of relative tranquility", Bruciati added that, in addition to the loss of life, war "often produces a further evil, the destruction of memory and history, the heritage not of individual people but of all humanity."

Villa Adriana, a World Heritage Site for the last 20 years, can be visited daily all year round. For opening hours, which vary from season to season, see website.