Italy boasts more Unesco world heritage sites than any other country; a fact that brings huge national pride, but also a burden. Years of short-lived governments, corruption scandals and bureaucratic hold-ups have all contributed to the neglect affecting its famous museums and historic sites.

In recent years, walls have collapsed at Pompeii, artefacts have been smuggled out of the country, and many of Rome’s museums remain outdated compared with those of other capitals. 

Now 56-year-old Franceschini, the culture minister and former secretary of Italy’s Democratic party(the party of the prime minister, Matteo Renzi) has been given the task of revolutionising the way that cultural heritage is managed.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/19/saving-italys-cultural-heritage-by-modern-means