Historic Houses Day in Abruzzo — 24 May 2026

On Sunday 24 May 2026 the National Historic Houses Day promoted by the Association of Italian Historic Houses (ADSI) takes place. In Abruzzo approximately 50 sites will be open free to the public, including palaces, villas, convents, house-museums and private residences; more than 34 of these are in the province of L'Aquila.

Typical opening hours: most sites will be open in the morning from 10:00 to 13:00, and many will also be available in the afternoon from 15:00 to 18:00. Some events require prior booking.

Highlights: selected historic houses open in Abruzzo

• Palazzo Tilli, Casoli (CH)
• Palazzo Mayer, Fossacesia (CH)
• Palazzo Lucà Dazio, San Vito Chietino (CH)
• Palazzo Caccianini, Frisa (CH)
• Convento Michetti, Francavilla al Mare (CH)
• Sextantio Albergo Diffuso, Santo Stefano di Sessanio (AQ)
• Palazzo Vetoli, Scurcola Marsicana (AQ)
• Fondazione Erminio e Zel Sipari
• Palazzo Pirro – Historic House, Acciano (AQ)
• Palazzo Monaco, Introdacqua (AQ)
• Palazzo De Rubeis, Prata d'Ansidonia (Tussio hamlet)
• Palazzo D'Alessandro, Caporciano (AQ)
• Palazzo Corradino di Svevia, Scurcola Marsicana (AQ)
• Palazzo Ciarrocca, Santo Stefano di Sessanio (AQ)
• Church of San Pietro in Arco, Santo Stefano di Sessanio (AQ)
• Villa Urania, Pescara (PE)
• Fondazione Summa, Pescara (PE)
• Convento San Panfilo, Spoltore (PE)
• Casa Museo Basilio Cascella, Pescara (PE)
• Villa Devincenzi, Roseto degli Abruzzi (TE)
• Relais Villa Rossi, Silvi Marina (TE)
• Casa Museo Vincenzo Bindi, Giulianova (TE)

Program and activities in L'Aquila

The openings in L'Aquila will include experiential visits, live performances, lectures and exhibitions. Guided visits are often led by licensed tourist guides in collaboration with the cooperative and travel agency WelcomeAQ.

Palaces with guided visits (approx. 10:00-13:00, 15:00-18:00)

• Renaissance house “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
• Oratory of Sant'Antonio dei Cavalieri de Nardis
• Higher Institute of Religious Sciences – former Doctor Torquato's palace
• 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, lectures and concerts

• Exhibitions: Renaissance house “Le Cancelle” ("Ju Sbannmend": historic Abruzzo blankets); Palazzo Ciccozzi (Generoso Spagnuolo).
• Lecture: Palazzo Pica Alfieri (18:00) by Archeoclub L'Aquila – Sandro Zecca: “The founding of L'Aquila”. Booking required by email: [email protected].
• Concerts: Palazzo Chiarizia (12:00, Ensemble Baccano), Oratory of Sant'Antonio dei Cavalieri de Nardis (18:00, Ensemble Baccano). Some concerts require booking on Eventbrite (tinyurl.com/palazziaperti).

Why attend: the event allows access to historically and artistically significant sites that are often closed to the public. The 2026 theme, "Custodi di futuro. Un patrimonio vivo per un valore condiviso", highlights the role of private historic heritage in cultural identity and community value.

ADSI Abruzzo will continue throughout the year with special openings, guided tours and cultural projects, including the Dimore Culturali – Palazzi Aperti program with free visits (by reservation) to 46 historic houses across the region.