This weekend, Saturday, March 21st, and Sunday, March 22nd, marks the 34th edition of the FAI Spring Days. This beloved event invites the public to explore 780 unique locations across 400 Italian cities, offering free admission with a suggested voluntary contribution. The initiative, presented at the Ministry of Culture, serves as a remarkable opportunity to rediscover Italy’s immense cultural and landscape heritage.
Extraordinary Openings Across Italy
Among the many sites typically inaccessible to the public that will open their doors:
- In Rome: The magnificent Palazzo del Ministero dell’Istruzione e del Merito, designed by Cesare Bazzani in 1912, and the Supreme Court of Cassation, housed in the grand Palazzo di Giustizia, a masterpiece by Guglielmo Calderini built between 1888 and 1910.
- In Naples: The iconic Stadio Maradona, inaugurated in 1959. Visitors will have the unique chance to observe the pitch from the sidelines and walk the ‘Blue Mile,’ just like the athletes.
- In Liguria: The historic Lanterna di Genova, the city’s most famous monument, with its first written records dating back to 1128.
- In Turin: The Palazzo di Città (City Hall), showcasing richly decorated rooms such as the Mayor’s Office (exceptionally accessible), the Sala dei Marmi (Marble Hall), and the Sala del Consiglio (Council Hall), adorned with red velvets and damasks.
- In Palermo, Sicily: Porta Nuova, a prominent example of the city’s triumphal architecture, will offer an innovative, inclusive, and accessible visit. This special experience, developed in collaboration with the Military Command ‘Sicily’ and the University of Palermo, includes tactile models and virtual videos for visitors with reduced mobility, and an engaging animated cartoon for children.
These are just a few highlights; a comprehensive list of all open locations and participation details is available online.
New Initiatives and FAI’s Ongoing Commitment
This edition introduces a special itinerary commemorating 800 years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. A selection of sites in eight regions will highlight the spiritual and cultural legacy of Italy’s patron saint. These include the Santuario di San Donato with its historic garden in Ripacandida (PZ), recognized by UNESCO as a ‘monument messenger of culture of peace,’ and the Complesso francescano di San Bernardino in Caravaggio (BG), featuring precious frescoes depicting the Passion of Christ. In Umbria, visitors can explore the Convento di San Fortunato in Montefalco (PG), a Franciscan convent housing Renaissance frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli and ancient underground oratories in its surrounding woods, and the FAI’s own Bosco di San Francesco in Assisi, a serene haven at the foot of the Basilica, home to Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Third Paradise.
Thanks to the dedication of 7,500 FAI volunteers and 17,000 ‘Apprendisti Ciceroni’ (young secondary school students specially trained as guides), hundreds of special places across Italy will open their doors. These often-unseen treasures range from villas and castles to churches, educational and research centers, artisan workshops, natural areas, institutional buildings, theaters, art collections, industrial sites, a pumping station, and even a football stadium, underscoring that Italy’s rich heritage of art, nature, and culture is truly everywhere.
Visitors are encouraged to support the FAI Foundation’s vital mission through donations. Some specific openings are reserved for FAI members or those who choose to join during the event. Since the pioneering first edition in 1993, nearly 13.5 million Italians have had the opportunity to discover and rediscover over 17,000 unique sites in their own cities and territories.
The Enduring Value of FAI Days and the Foundation’s Mission
During the press conference, Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, emphasized the fundamental importance of rediscovering Italy’s immense heritage and the collective duty to preserve, protect, and enhance it. He particularly highlighted the invaluable involvement of 17,000 young ‘Apprendisti Ciceroni’ in this endeavor.
Marco Magnifico, President of FAI, described the FAI Spring Days as a powerful megaphone, showcasing the foundation’s daily, widespread commitment to safeguarding Italy’s cultural landscape. He stressed that this is not merely an isolated spectacular event but a testament to continuous dedication, curiosity, spirit of service, and tangible attention to conservation. FAI relies on the growing support of citizens to continue its work alongside state institutions, benefiting “the most beautiful country in the world: ours.”
The FAI Spring Days, like their autumn counterpart, offer Italians a precious opportunity to connect with their country’s wonders. More importantly, they serve as a crucial public awareness and fundraising initiative for the Foundation. The mission of FAI is dedicated to the public utility of caring for and protecting Italy’s cultural heritage, aligning with Article 9 of the Constitution and the principle of subsidiarity (Article 118). Donations and memberships collected during these events directly support FAI’s institutional activities, enabling the restoration and valorization of its 75 managed properties, 60 of which are regularly open to the public, ensuring these treasures can be enjoyed by all, forever.
