More than 400,000 people chose to explore Italy’s cultural and natural heritage through the 2026 FAI Fall Days, confirming the success of an event that invites visitors to see often-overlooked or normally inaccessible places with fresh eyes. On Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, the 15th edition of the initiative promoted by FAI—Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano ETS —transformed 350 cities into a vast network of itineraries dedicated to history, art, architecture, and nature.
More than 700 sites were opened to the public thanks to the efforts of FAI delegations and groups throughout the country, with the essential contribution of volunteers, especially young people. Visits with a suggested donation allowed thousands of people to explore historic palaces, prestigious buildings, architectural complexes, and landscapes, rediscovering the heritage that reflects the identity of local communities.
Palazzo Saladini Pilastri in Ascoli Piceno took first place among the most-visited sites. Palazzo Dugnani in Milan came in second, followed by CityWave, also in the Lombard capital. Villa Giorgina in Rome took fourth place, while fifth place went to Villa La Tesoriera in Turin. Lombardy was the region with the highest number of visitors, followed by Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont.
Despite inclement weather and unstable conditions, especially in central and southern Italy and on the islands, attendance was significant.
Among the event’s key participants were the 9,000 “Apprendisti Ciceroni” (Ciceroni Apprentices), students trained by their teachers to guide visitors as they explored the open venues. Special attention was also given to Italian craftsmanship and the “Made in Italy” movement, with over 75 themed events dedicated to traditional knowledge, craftsmanship, and manufacturing traditions. This was a way to highlight not only monuments and works of art, but also the skills and activities that form an important part of the country’s cultural identity.
FAI properties that are regularly open to the public also participated in the initiative, welcoming thousands of visitors. Villa del Balbianello in Tremezzina, on Lake Como, took first place in the ranking of the most-visited sites. Tied for second place were Villa Gregoriana in Tivoli and Villa dei Vescovi in Luvigliano di Torreglia, in the province of Padua. Third place went to Palazzo Moroni in Bergamo. These results reflect the public’s interest in historic residences, gardens, and monumental complexes.
The 2026 FAI Fall Open House Days were held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Merit and under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, all Italian regions, and the autonomous provinces.
A significant contribution also came from the European Commission’s Representation in Italy, which has long supported the FAI in organizing its national events. Over the course of the weekend, fifty historical, artistic, and cultural sites that have received European funding were opened to the public, offering visitors the opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the European Union’s commitment to the protection and development of cultural heritage.
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| The 2026 FAI Fall Open House Days concluded with over 400,000 visitors across Italy |
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