FAI opens historic sites in Italy on 14-15 October.

More than 700 noted Italian buildings and historic sites open to the public for free on the weekend of 14-15 October as part of the Giornate FAI d'Autunno event.

The annual autumn open days initiative organised by the Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI) will allow entry into palaces, villas, castles, churches, gardens, theatres and libraries in 350 towns and cities across Italy.

Many of the participating sites are not normally open to the public or are difficult to visit.

Some of the Rome treats in store include guided tours of the Oratorio dei Filippini, built in the 17th century under the supervision of Borromini, and the richly-stuccoed rooms of the Consiglio di Stato at Palazzo Spada.

È online l’elenco dei luoghi che potrai visitare in 350 città d’Italia durante le #GiornateFAI d’Autunno, il 14 e 15 ottobre! Scopri le oltre 700 aperture e scegli cosa visitare qui: https://t.co/Hjav5yN5n9 pic.twitter.com/Y4fZZaNdyT

— FAI (@Fondoambiente) October 4, 2023

Outside the capital in the Lazio region, there are special visits to Palazzo Rospigliosi and its museum of toys in Zagarolo, the Castello di S. Giorgio in the coastal area of Maccarese, and the Soratte Bunker in Sant'Oreste and the park of Villa Gregoriana in Tivoli.

Similar to Britain’s National Trust, FAI works to preserve and promote Italy’s cultural heritage through education, restoration and annual open day initiative which introduced in 1993.

For full details see the FAI website which lists the participating sites region by region. Visits are free but donations are encouraged.