Historic residences: from guardians of memory to economic resource —

Historic residences: from guardians of memory to economic resource

The 49th Assembly of the Association of Historic Italian Residences (Adsi), held on 16 April 2026 at Teatro Argentina in Rome, focused on the cultural value and economic potential of historic residences in Italy. Owners, experts and sector representatives discussed regulatory tools and public-private collaboration to support preservation and sustainable use.

• 46,000 private cultural assets identified by the VI Report of the Observatory on Private Cultural Heritage, with nearly 30% located in municipalities under 5,000 inhabitants.
• 60% of residences generate direct value through tourism, culture and agriculture; in 2024 these sites recorded over 35 million visitors.
• 85% of maintenance interventions are self-funded, with an average annual expense above €50,000 per asset; restoration investments reached €1.2 billion for extraordinary works in 2024 and over €1.9 billion in total.
• More than 10,000 residences could expand activities and public openings if regulatory conditions improve.

Proposals discussed include extending the ArtBonus to private cultural assets managed by foundations or third-sector organisations and rationalising VAT for restoration and cultural activities to make investments more sustainable. Speakers stressed that stable instruments and stronger cooperation can help turn private heritage into a driver of local development and employment.