The Italian association for historic houses (Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane) and Italys telecommunications operator, Telecom Italia, are offering the public the opportunity to see works by three great artists in the palaces where they are housed.

Over three weekends in June, the owners of these paintings will open their homes to the public.

The first paintings to go on show (3-5 June) will be the 43 works by Vanvitelli, the entire collection of the Colonna family, which has never before been shown all together.

Then the Annunciation by Fra Lippo Lippi, a magnificent work from the early Florentine renaissance, will be on display (10-12 June) in the private apartments of the Palazzo Doria. These will be open to the public, along with the Doria Pamphij Gallery, where there are several other paintings from masters of the period.

The final painting is La Derelitta by Botticelli (24-26 June) which has never been put on display to the public. This painting will be on show in the magnificent central room of the Casina dell' Aurora at the Palazzo Pallavicini. The Casina alone is well worth visiting with its famous frescoes by Guido Reni, and these and the Botticelli are expected to attract art critics and enthusiasts from far and wide.

Vanvitelli at the Galleria Colonna, Palazzo Colonna, Via della Pilotta 17, from 3-5 June, 10.00-17.00. Entrance free.

Fra Lippo, Palazzo Doria, Piazza del Collegio Romano, from 10-12 June, 10.00-17.00. Entrance free.

Botticelli at Palazzo Pallavicini, Casina dell'Aurora, Via XXIV Maggio 43, from 24-26 June, 10.00 -17.00. Entrance free.