Noted Italian buildings and sites open on 22 and 23 March

Some 750 libraries, stately homes, archaeological sites and religious buildings all over Italy are open to the public free of charge on 22 and 23 March, for the 22nd annual spring open day organised by the Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI).

Many of the sites participating in the Giornate FAI di Primavera initiative are not normally accessible to the public.

In Rome some of the treats include a peek inside the Bank of Italy's Museum of Money, which opens its doors for the first time to the public; the Mausoleum of Augustus; the Theatre of Marcellus; the Forum of Augustus; the Casa delle Armi at the Foro Italico, and the Palazzo Uffici at EUR.

Outside Rome visitors can enjoy Palazzo Giustiniani Odescalchi in Bassano Romano near Viterbo, while there are also tours in English of Villa Gregoriana in Tivoli.

The complete list of participating buildings and monuments, as well as their visiting times, can be seen on the FAI website, and there is an App available to download too.

Similar to Britain’s National Trust, FAI works to preserve and promote Italy’s cultural heritage through education, restoration and annual open days.