From March 21st to 22nd, hundreds of sites that are usually off limits to visitors will open their doors.
This limited public opening is part of the popular FAI Spring Days (Giornate FAI di Primavera) – a long-standing event organised by cultural heritage trust Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI).
The event takes place twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn, and is designed to draw locals and tourists alike off the beaten path and towards some of Italy's lesser-known treasures.
Tours and visits will be free of charge at all sites, though participants are encouraged to make a voluntary donation of at least €3 to support the trust’s work.
Booking may be required for some sites, while others are reserved for FAI members.
Altogether there are more than 780 sites in 400 locations across Italy to choose from. You'll find a full list of sites and opening times on FAI's website.
Among this year's new additions is a selection of openings to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Here are just a few of the sites you can visit without being a FAI member:
Montalto Dora Castle – Turin
Perched high on a hill near Ivrea, Piedmont, this privately owned 12th-century castle has been the setting for many films and shows. It’s not hard to see why, with its towers, medieval frescoes and panoramic views.
Historic paper mill and convent – Lazio
In Frosinone on the river island of Isola del Liri lies an old paper mill built on the ruins of a convent. Today you can visit the historical remains of both the industrial and the sacred site intermingled with the area’s famous waterfalls.
Bellini Garden Cryptoporticus – Sicily
Underneath the 19th-century Bellini Garden in Catania is a maze of subterranean pathways forming a crypt labyrinth, newly opened to the public in February 2026.
Corte Benedettina – Padua
The Benedictine Court of Legnaro is a sweeping religious complex that has been evolving architecturally since its first stones were laid in the 1400s. Parts of the Court normally closed to the public will be open for the FAI Spring Days.
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