National Day of Historic Residences – May 24, 2026

Sunday 24 May marks the National Day of Historic Residences. More than 34 sites in the province of L'Aquila and about 50 across Abruzzo open their doors free of charge. The initiative includes palaces, villas, convents, house-museums and private residences, giving visitors the chance to explore heritage sites usually outside standard tourist routes.

What to expect

• Free entry to most participating residences for the day.
• Main visiting hours: 10:00–13:00 and, in many venues, 15:00–18:00.
• Guided tours led by accredited tourist guides; many venues allow walk-in visits without reservation.
• Additional events such as exhibitions, lectures and concerts at selected locations.

Selected openings and events in L'Aquila

In the city, visits are accompanied by experiential activities and live performances. Key venues and schedules include:

• Palaces with guided visits (10:00–13:00, 15:00–18:00): Casa rinascimentale “Le Cancelle”, Palazzo Alfieri, Palazzo Benedetti, Palazzo Bonanni – Cipolloni – Cannella, Palazzo Camponeschi, Palazzo Cappa – Cappelli, Palazzo Carli Benedetti, Palazzo Di Paola, Palazzo Dragonetti, Palazzo Fibbioni, Palazzo Margherita, Palazzo Nardis, Oratorio di Sant’Antonio dei Cavalieri de Nardis, Istituto Superiore di Scienze Religiose – former Palazzo del Dottor Torquato, Palazzo Rustici.
• Palaces with open courtyards and free access (10:00–13:00, 15:00–18:00): Palazzo Alfieri, Dragonetti de Torres, Palazzo Ardinghelli, Palazzo Bucciarelli, Palazzo Burri – Gatti, Palazzo Carli “dei pavoni”, Palazzo Ciolina – Ciampella, Palazzo Gagliardi – Sardi – Nardis, Palazzo Lely – Gualtieri, Palazzo Manieri, Palazzo Natellis – Alessandri, Palazzo Santospago – Dragonetti.
• Exhibitions (10:00–13:00, 15:00–18:00): Casa rinascimentale “Le Cancelle” (historic Abruzzo blankets) and Palazzo Ciccozzi (Generoso Spagnuolo).
• Lecture: Palazzo Pica Alfieri at 18:00 (reservation required via email: [email protected]).
• Concerts: Palazzo Chiarizia at 12:00 (Ensemble Baccano), Oratorio di Sant’Antonio dei Cavalieri de Nardis at 18:00 (Ensemble Baccano). Reservation via Eventbrite (tinyurl.com/palazziaperti).

Selected residences open across Abruzzo

Beyond L'Aquila, numerous historic houses and sites welcome visitors, including:

• Palazzo Tilli, Casoli (CH)
• Palazzo Mayer, Fossacesia (CH)
• Sextantio Albergo Diffuso, Santo Stefano di Sessanio (AQ)
• Palazzo Vetoli, Scurcola Marsicana (AQ)
• Fondazione Erminio e Zel Sipari
• Villa Urania, Pescara (PE)
• Casa Museo Basilio Cascella, Pescara (PE)
• Relais Villa Rossi, Silvi Marina (TE)

Why attend

The event highlights the importance of preserving privately held historic buildings and promotes their cultural and touristic value. Visiting supports conservation efforts and offers a direct encounter with local history, architecture and collections often hidden from public view.

Date: May 24, 2026
Typical hours: 10:00–13:00 and 15:00–18:00 (check individual venues for variations)