Roof of 16th-century church at Roman Forum collapsed last summer.

The central Rome church of S. Giuseppe dei Falegnami, whose roof collapsed last August, will reopen to visitors on Tuesday 19 March, for one day only, from 09.00 until 20.00.

The special opening coincides with the feast day of the church's patron, St Joseph, which is also Father's Day in Italy.

Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio will preside over a Mass at 18.00, preceded by an hour of music by the Orchestra Arcobaleno, while after the Mass visitors will be offered the traditional bignè di S. Giuseppe.

A temporary roof has been installed over the 16th-century church which is located at the north-west corner of the Roman Forum, a stone's throw from city hall.

The church was built on top of the ancient Mamertine prison which, according to tradition, held St Peter before his crucifixion.

When the roof collapsed there was nobody in the church, however the incident occurred just a couple of days before a scheduled wedding ceremony when there would have been 150 guests inside.