It is billed as the biggest cultural investment in the history of the republic. Past governments—particularly that of Silvio Berlusconi—slashed funds for culture, or promised grants that never materialised. Announcing €1 billion ($1.1 billion) for the restoration of 33 cultural sites across the country, Dario Franceschini, the culture minister, said procrastination was over. The Uffizi Gallery in Florence—home to Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and works by Raphael and Caravaggio—will receive €40m for modernisation, measures to deal with overcrowding and new exhibition space. Some €70m will go towards renovating the horseshoe-shaped prison built on Santo Stefano island, off the west coast, by the Bourbon monarchy in the 18th century and later used to imprison Mussolini’s detractors. Archaeological sites such as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Paestum will also be brushed up. Given Italy’s history, sceptics will wonder if the money will be efficiently and honestly spent. Optimists will start booking tickets.