The FAI Spring Days, the most important street event dedicated to the cultural heritage and landscape of our country, is now in its 32^nd edition.

From Saturday 23^rd to Sunday 24^th March his event will see the extraordinary and rich Italian heritage as the absolute protagonist, to be discovered and rediscovered by participating in the visits - free of charge - proposed by FAI volunteers in over 750 places that are usually inaccessible or little known in 400 cities.

A special week-end to reconnect with the history and culture of Italy, enabling visitors to feel part of the territories in which they live and whose beauty and value they are often not fully aware of. Historical villas and palaces, archaeological areas, churches of great architectural or historical-artistic value, examples of industrial archaeology, castles, libraries, art collections and museums will be open. There will also be itineraries in villages to discover lesser-known corners of the Italian landscape, where hidden treasures are preserved and ancient traditions are handed down, and educational visits to urban parks, botanical gardens, historic gardens and courtyards, which are the result of the Foundation's commitment to spreading a broader "culture of nature".

Volunteers from the Varese Delegation and Youth Group, together with the Valcuvia Group , will open up places of interest in the municipalities of Morazzone and Castiglione Olona for all enthusiasts.

MORAZZONE

The open properties will be:

• Parco di Palazzo Perucconi: a visit to the park in cooperation with the "Ordine dei Dottori Agronomi e Dottori Forestali della Provincia di Varese" and to the Morazzone pavilion where the amazing reproduction of the fresco "La fucina di Vulcano" (Vulcan's forge) will be installed in its original position. The event is reserved for FAI members for this property.
  Saturday 23^rd and Sunday 24^th March at 4.00 p.m., visit the collection of more than 300 bonsai trees by the owners of the Palazzo (limited places - reservations can be made at the FAI banquet near the property.
• Cascina Ronchetto: a visit to the vineyard and cellar, discovering the production processes of an excellent local winery. The event is reserved for FAI members for this property.
  Saturday 23 at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 24 at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. visit by Cascina Ronchetto staff with final wine tasting(limited places - reservations can be made at the FAI stand near the property).
• Church of Santa Maria Madre: a visit to the church and its interesting frescoes dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries.
  Opening times: Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 March from 14:00 to 17:30.
• Ruins of the Church of St Mary Magdalene: Discover the mysteries and curiosities behind the remains of this church whose roots go back to Roman times.

Special initiatives and active partnerships to highlight the beauty of the area:

• Visit to the sacristy and the S. Ambrogio Church where it will be possible to admire the fresco attributed to Morazzone depicting St. Ambrose.
  Saturday 23^rd March at 3 p.m. (limited places - reservations can be made at the FAI banquet near the property).
• Conference "Il Morazzone a Morazzone" by Dr Isabella Dalla Gasperina. Saturday 23^rd March at 6 p.m. at Sala Consigliare Comunale di Morazzone.
• Exhibition of local historical artifacts by the Municipal Administration of Morazzone at the Town Hall.
• Saturday 23 March from 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. and Sunday 24 March from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (guided tours depart every hour).
• In collaboration with F.I.A.B., on Sunday 24^th March from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., departing every hour, it will be possible to pedal along the route from Castiglione Olona to Morazzone and back, passing through the picturesque hamlet of Caronno Corbellaro. The 4 km route can also be covered independently (without accompaniment) on foot or by bicycle.

CASTIGLIONE OLONA

Visits by the Varese and Seprio FAI Youth Groups:

• Plastic Art Museum: an exhibition jewel preserved in a medieval village. In this combination of contrasts, you can admire the Museum's works of Plastic Art in the setting of frescoes and works belonging to 15th-century Humanism.
• Azienda Mazzucchelli 1849: an interesting and valuable account of the history of this activity from its beginnings to its ongoing evolution. Visitors will be able to discover and admire some of the most famous products and their respective manufacturing techniques accompanied by volunteers from the Youth Groups and the Apprentice Tour Guides of the ISISS Don Milani di Tradate.

At each open property, visitors will find a welcome desk where volunteers will provide information and do the necessary check-in for the visit.
Opening times are Saturday 23^rd March from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 24 March from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The last visit is approximately at 5:30 p.m.

FOR INFORMATION: varese@delegazionefai.fondoambiente.it