Invisible Villages: the 2026 events season kicks off in Barchi

Invisible Villages: the 2026 season starts in Barchi

Borghi Invisibili relaunches the Palazzo Lenci site and inaugurates a season of events focused on enhancing small historic towns in the Marche. The program blends architecture, art, technology and community participation to reactivate local heritage.

What the season offers

The 2026 program, titled "Invisible Forms. Mathematics, Architecture and Ideal Cities", investigates proportions, materials and landscape through exhibitions, immersive installations, lecture-concerts and workshops. Activities range from traditional drawing to laser-scan mapping and digital reinterpretation.

Key events

• Main exhibition in the historic rooms of Palazzo Lenci, from the Sala delle Onde to the Sala della Materia.
• Digital installations and projection mapping on fortifications and town gates, showcasing Palladian motifs and geometric patterns.
• Workshops and guided tours for families, schools and visitors, including observation notebooks to record proportions and local impressions.
• Material-focused talks on earth, wood and brick led by artisans and restoration experts.
• Educational projects involving university students and local schools in field research and degree work.

Locations and partners

The initiative covers Barchi and nearby hamlets such as Cerasa, Stacciola and Poggio, across the area between the Metauro and Cesano rivers. Key partners include 593 Studio, Istituti Filippin – La Salle International Campus, the Pro Loco associations of Barchi and Orciano, IU International University, and local R&D hubs.

The permanent site at Palazzo Lenci

Ongoing restoration work is bringing historical features back to light and reactivating public spaces. The site functions as a permanent laboratory where discoveries made during renovation inform the next phases of the participatory design process.

Why attend

Borghi Invisibili is an opportunity to learn traditional craft techniques, observe how digital tools enhance heritage and take part in a community-oriented regeneration process. The season aims to turn the village into an open cultural laboratory for residents and visitors alike.