曾在上海世博会期间大受欢迎的意大利馆，而今“变身”为上海意大利中心，于28日开始试运行并对公众开放。 作为上海世博会闭幕后首个重新对外开放的欧洲国家展馆，上海意大利中心经重新设计和改建后，依然保留了原意大利馆浓厚的意式风格。 据介绍，上海意大利中心有8个展示区域，总面积2487平方米，将汇集意大利艺术、手工业、设计、饮食文化和创意等领域的精华。

The Shanghai Italian Center, the former Italian World Expo Pavilion, is now open to the public.
27-year-old Ge Wenchao arrived at the Shanghai Italian Center at 7:30 this morning, and, he was the first visitor. He won a certificate, and some souvenirs including a bottle of Italian red wine.
Ge Wenchao, a visitor, said, "I'm so excited! I didn't expect it at all. I used to be a fan of the Shanghai World Expo, and my home is close to the park, so I came. "
Zhao Jun, another visitor, said, "It was not easy for Italian people to make such delicate artwork so many years ago. I'm from Shandong Province, and didn't have a chance to visit the Italy Pavilion during the Shanghai World Expo. "
There were no long lines today as there were two years ago. Visitors got an authentic taste of the country’s long history and culture. Highlights include a 200-year-old bronze replica of Michelangelo’s iconic statue 'David', a replica of the Palladio's Olympic Theater in Vicenza, and wooden models by Leonardo da Vinci. Antique and contemporary jewelry are also on show.
The Italian pavilion was one of the most popular pavilions during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, attracting more than 7.3 million visitors. Organizers say apart from the tourism function, the brand-new Shanghai Italian Center will provide venues for the 900 small and medium sized companies in East China to showcase their products.
Sun Liansheng, Vice President of Expo Shanghai Group, said, "The center is also for business exchanges. There are many smaller Italian brands that want to enter the Chinese market, but lack the resources to do so. So we will provide a platform for them."
The Shanghai Italian Center is open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day except Monday. Tickets cost 60 each, and 45 for groups. And until May 1st, anyone who buys both tickets to the Shanghai Italian Center and the Saudi Expo Pavilion can get a 10 yuan discount.