The Italian national holiday on 2 June marks the 60th anniversary this year of the declaration of the Italian republic. As usual there will be a military parade in the morning in Via dei Fori Imperiali and this year there will be free admission to all the state-owned museums and archaeological sites.

These include the Colosseum, the museums of Palazzo Altemps, and Palazzo Massimo and the collection at the Villa Borghese where there is currently an exhibition of paintings by Raphael. To gain entry to the Villa Borghese it is advisable to book in advance (tel. 06332810)

A peace demonstration is scheduled on various bridges around Rome and in the Fori Imperiali area. Traffic will be diverted from 4.00 am until 13.30pm on Friday. For

information on what lines will be affected telephone 800431784 or visit www.atac.roma.it.