House-museums open: from Pavarotti to Leonardo — International Days of

International Days of Houses of Memory: what, when and why attend

On the weekend of 18 and 19 April 2026, more than 150 house-museums and museums dedicated to notable personalities will open for special visits across Italy. The initiative allows visitors to explore the homes and studios where artists, scientists, writers and historical figures lived and worked.

Highlights and notable openings

Popular venues preserve furnishings, memorabilia, documents and personal collections. Examples include:

• Luciano Pavarotti House Museum (Modena) – the Maestro's residence, with rooms, costumes and personal mementos preserved as he left them.
• Leonardo da Vinci's Birthplace (Anchiano, Vinci, FI) – a route combining the birthplace and a farmhouse section with a high-definition reproduction of The Last Supper.
• Michelangelo's Birthplace (Caprese Michelangelo, AR) – site connected to the life of the renowned sculptor and painter.
• Ugo Tognazzi's House (Velletri, RM) – the actor's space where he met colleagues and developed projects.
• Carducci House (Bologna) and Pellico House (Saluzzo, CN) – literary homes open to visitors interested in personal archives and memorabilia.

Regions involved

The program includes venues in many regions: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Marche, Molise, Piedmont, Apulia, Sardinia, Sicily and Tuscany. Openings range from birthplace museums to art studios and local foundations.

Practical visitor information

• When: Saturday 18 April 2026 and Sunday 19 April 2026.
• Hours: vary by venue; check each house-museum's schedule in advance.
• Reservations and tickets: some sites require booking or have limited capacity—contact the venue before you go.
• Accessibility: many houses are in historic buildings with stairs and narrow spaces; verify accessibility details if needed.
• Tips: wear comfortable shoes, arrive early for guided tours and carry an ID if requested.

Why visit

These special openings offer a rare chance to see the personal environments of figures who shaped Italian culture. Visiting a house-museum helps to understand the everyday and material context behind their work.