Ancona: FAI Spring Days return with tours of San Domenico, Palazzo Benincasa and Fincantieri

Ancona: FAI Spring Days on 21–22 March 2026

The FAI Spring Days return to Ancona with three sites highlighting the city's artistic, historical and industrial heritage. The programme includes guided tours, normally restricted access and interpretative routes led also by local students.

Sites open to visitors

• San Domenico Complex – Located in Piazza del Plebiscito, the complex comprises the Church of San Domenico and the former Dominican convent, now Caserma G.M. Paolini. Visitors can see the cloister, the main ceremonial hall and a small picture gallery; the church will be open on Sunday afternoon from 15:30 to 18:00 with important artworks on display.
• Palazzo Benincasa (for FAI members only) – A private palace with frescoed rooms and a historic library: highlights include the Hall of Audiences refurbished by Luigi Vanvitelli and the Room of Beatitudes, both overlooking the port, as well as the Room of the Gods and the Room of Virtues.
• Fincantieri – The Ancona shipyard offers a guided itinerary through workshops, the dry dock and the quay, with workers' testimonies and insights into the construction of luxury vessels. The site covers a large area and employs staff from many nationalities.

Who leads the tours

The FAI Ancona delegation will welcome visitors together with “apprentice guides”: students from Liceo Classico "Carlo Rinaldini", the Scientific High School (Applied Sciences option) and Technical-Technological address of IIS "Volterra-Elia", Liceo Scientifico "Galileo Galilei" and a group from the Art High School "E. Mannucci". Young volunteers play a key role in communicating the cultural and social value of these sites.

Practical information

• Dates: 21–22 March 2026.
• Access: FAI Spring Days are open to all; entry is by free contribution with a suggested donation to support conservation activities.
• Palazzo Benincasa: visits reserved for FAI members (membership and booking information available on the official site).
• For detailed schedules and reservations consult the official FAI Spring Days website: www.giornatefai.it

Institutional remarks

The local launch introduced the new FAI delegation for Ancona with regional representatives. The initiative underlines FAI's role in opening and preserving sites that are often closed to the public and fosters collaboration between schools, the community and the workplace.