Italian courts tend to place custody with mothers

In 90% of marriage breakdowns, the mother is granted custody of the children, leaving men to find somewhere else to live - a difficult task in Italy, where the cost of living is high.

But Italy's national family mediation service Asdi has joined forces with the regional authorities to set up a centre in Bolzano, where divorced or separated fathers are offered cheap accommodation and a place to rebuild their lives.

"This project didn't just come about to give fathers a roof over their heads - but more importantly, so that they could continue to be fathers to their children," says Elia Cillambelli, Asdi's director in Bolzano.

"Our message is that your marriage might have ended, but you are a parent for life. That's the role we're trying to support with this house," he told the BBC World Service's Outlook programme.

Financial burden

The refuge allows fathers to spend quality time with their children in a home, rather than in a park or cinema, Mr Cillambelli added.

He also stressed that the house was for separated parents, and not specifically men - but that women simply did not require it as they tended to get custody of the children, and keep the family house, in order to maintain stability.

Around two-thirds of Italy's 70,000 divorces and separations a year are initiated by women.

The father, while still expected to pay for the household and the children, usually has to find somewhere else to live, and this financial burden is proving too much for many men.

I had to change jobs, house and friends when I separated, so I really needed this kind of refuge Furio, resident of Asdi refuge

Fathers are allowed to stay at the refuge for a maximum of two years, at a cost of 200 euros (�139) a month.

Each of the men at the refuge has his own room with en suite bathroom, together with a communal kitchen.

There are also separate special bedrooms for the children for when they visit.

"I feel comfortable here," Diego, one of the residents, said.

"We've already established a nice little group in the house, and it's pretty good living here."

Furio, another resident, said he was happy to be at the refuge, as he had lost his family.

"It's nice having a bit of company," he added.

"Things were very difficult for me - I had to change jobs, house and friends when I separated.

"So I really needed this kind of refuge."

'Most suited' parent

Furio said that he had a close relationship with his daughter, but the judge in his case had decided he could see her "only every other weekend".

Many of the fathers at the refuge said they believed the Italian legal system was unfair.

Bolzano is an Alpine city in a mainly German-speaking area

"I think the law would be fairer if it allowed greater access to their children," he added.

"I've always done a lot for my children and looked after them since they were tiny... but they don't live with me.

"I'm lucky in that I see my kids every day because I pick them up from school. My wife and I have worked out what's best for them.

"But if I followed the judge's sentence, I'd only be seeing my kids at the weekend."

However, David Viacetti, a divorce lawyer in Bolzano, explained why the children of divorced parents - in total around 50,000 a year - usually end up with their mother.

"The judges' first duty is to find the most stable environment for the children - the supposition is that children are the victims of separation, and so should be affected as little as possible," he said.