ROME’S BURIED TREASURES A spate of public and private building projects has seen treasure after treasure emerge from the ground beneath Rome – and the stream of historic fi nds is set to continue, say the city’s archaeology chiefs. A temple from the 2nd century AD dedicated to Matidia, mother-in-law of the Emperor Hadrian, was discovered last month during work to turn an orphanage into Senate offi ces. La Repubblica called the fi nd “the most important archaeological discovery in Rome in recent years”. Rare 4th-century regalia belonging to Emperor Maxentius has been also been found, buried in wooden cases on the Palatine Hill.

OSCAR AT LAST FOR MORRICONE Italian composer Ennio Morricone, famed for his work on classic spaghetti westerns such as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and Once Upon a Time in the West, is to receive an honorary Oscar during the Academy Awards ceremony in February. During his 45-year career Morricone, 78, has written more than 300 fi lm and TV scores. Although only 30 of these are for Western fi lms, it is for this work that he will always be remembered. It is only the second time a composer has received honorary Oscar. © Em pics

MUSSOLINI’S ROMAN VILLA OPENED TO PUBLIC The magnifi cent villa that was the home of Benito Mussolini when he was the Duce of Italy has been opened to the public after almost 30 years of restoration. The villa was taken over by Allied occupying forces at the end of World War II before suffering years of neglect while Mussolini’s legacy remained controversial. The nine buildings and gardens of the Villa Torlonia were built in the 19th century by the Torlonia princes, a Roman family that profi ted by administering the fi nances of the Vatican. The complex will now house a museum of Roman 20th-century painting and a new museum of the Holocaust, dedicated to the 2,000 Jews who were deported from Rome during the German occupation of 1943-44. The villa was Mussolini’s home for most of his dictatorship. Walter Veltroni, Mayor of Rome, said: “Its historic weight should be evident to visitors. A true democracy has no need to discard a part of its history.”

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CLOONEY TROTS TO TUSCANY George Clooney is getting over the loss of his beloved pet Vietnamese pot-bellied pig in true Hollywood style – by buying another home in Italy. The actor already owns a luxury property on the shores of Lake Como, and now he has added a house in the olive groves above Lucca to his portfolio. Apparently George has also been practising Italian. A friend told The Observer: “The death of the pig has left room in his life to try dating seriously again – and what better babe magnet is there in the world than a Tuscan villa?” Clooney’s only publicly known relationship with an Italian woman lasted just three dates because he couldn’t speak the language.

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MORE STICK FOR ZIDANE Zinedine Zidane’s infamous head butt during Italy’s World Cup Final win has inspired Italian entrepreneur Alessandro Ferrari to create a line of sweatshirts. The design depicts the incident with two stick fi gures. Ferrari claims it is meant to have a positive impact. “This message of peace is directed towards young people,” he said. “We’re nearly sold out. Now we’re also working on accessories.”

ITALIA! LOOKS FOR EDITOR Could you be the next editor of Italia! magazine? Paul Pettengale is moving on to sister title Taste Italia, which is going monthly, while still keeping a close eye on Italia!. Candidates should have a passion for Italy and experience as an editor on a consumer magazine. You’ll also be willing to travel to Italy regularly. Write to Paul at the address given on page 8 and include a copy of your CV. Closing date: 28 February 2007.

March 2007 ITALIA! 17