19-20 March FAI, Fondo per lambiente italiano, is opening more than 400 different places free of charge to the public in 190 venues all over Italy. Most of these monuments, palaces, churches, gardens, lighthouses are not normally open to the public. This year the opening, thanks to the help of 7,000 volunteers, marks the 30th anniversary of FAI.

In Rome it will be possible to visit: Casa di Rodi, Piazza del Grillo 1, the church of S. Giuliano dei Fiamminghi, Via del Sudario 41, the workshops of the Rome Opera house, Piazza Bocca della Verit 16, Palazzo Caffarelli Vidoni, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 116, the Spezeria di S. Maria della Scala, Piazza della Scala 23, and the Sala Presidenziale della Stazione Ostiense, Piazzale dei Partigiani. This year young guides are being employed once again to show visitors the Aurelian walls at the Porta Metronio and the Sacrario delle Bandiere in the Vittoriano, Piazza Venezia.

Many of the places are accessible to wheelchairs and visits are from 09.30-18.00. For information tel. 0141720850.