Italy’s cultural heritage is currently at a crossroads. At a time when the state can't maintain the country’s cultural treasures, corporations are stepping in. But there is something we can do about it.

Image © Italian Concierge

Italy’s cultural heritage is currently at a crossroads.

At a time when the state – and even the European Union and UNESCO – does not have the ability to maintain the country’s innumerable cultural treasures, another way must be found.

As Travel + Leisure discussed this month, corporate sponsorships may be the path away from crumbling collapsing ancient Roman monuments and stones falling from busy tourist attractions. National monuments are becoming billboards for Italy’s biggest brands.

But there is another way. The “every penny counts” way.

What is FAI and Why Do I Support Them?

Image © Italian Concierge

To protect, restore, reopen to the public and reinvigorate our country’s splendid jewels of art and nature is a demanding work that doesn’t allow any breaks. But that is the duty that the Fondo Ambiente Italiano (Italian National Trust or FAI) has taken up.

Funded entirely by donations, FAI cares for Italy’s cultural patrimony through restoration and conservation projects, educational events and trips, and public advocacy.

FAI’s Work

The donations it collects online, at its sites, and through memberships fund the care of castles, monetary complexes, gardens, nature parks, works of art, villas, and small museums, many of which are donated to the fund by private citizens.

On Lake Como, FAI opens the lakeside Villa del Balbaniello to the public, where you can play noble or jet set for a day on the shores of Italy’s most fashionable lake.

And in Trento, the association manages the Avio Castle, a vast complex of castle buildings, including a defensive wall tower, guard house with a 13th-century fresco series, and Baron’s Palace with a “love room” that exhibits some of the earliest samples of secular 14th-century art.

But these are only a couple of their projects.

Supporting FAI (and our painting!)

Image © Italian Concierge

Last year, Italian Concierge was a FAI Corporate Golden Donor, and we look forward to renewing our donation on behalf of our clients this year. The benefits are staggering and visible. A painting in the Villa dei Vescovi outside Padova, was restored with funds from our donation.

And FAI membership isn’t just for companies. You can join as an individual for free access to any of the 45 properties FAI owns/maintains.

We support FAI because if we don’t work together to conserve Italy’s heritage, what will there be to visit?