46,000 historic homes in Italy drive cultural tourism and local economies

Italy has 46,000 protected historic homes, including palaces, villas, and castles, distributed across all regions, with nearly 30% located in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. The 6th Report of the Observatory on Private Cultural Heritage, promoted by the Italian Historic Houses Association (A.D.S.I.), highlights their economic and cultural potential. In 2024, these sites welcomed over 35 million visitors, with more than 2 million in internal areas. Over 20,000 historic homes organized at least one cultural event, and 60% already generate economic activities in tourism, agriculture, culture, and events. About 17,000 homes promoted free or socially oriented initiatives. 35% are available for rent, with around 3,700 offering short-term tourist hospitality, a segment growing by 46% in the last year. In the agricultural sector, 34% of Italian wine-producing companies are historic homes, and 86% of them reported increased visits due to tasting tours. 58% of historic homes host students for educational experiences. On maintenance and restoration, 85% of interventions are self-financed by owners, with average annual spending exceeding €50,000 per property. Only 2% received public contributions. Total spending on extraordinary restoration grew from €836 million in 2017 to €1.2 billion in 2024. A.D.S.I. calls for regulatory simplification and support tools, with a proposed law to amend the Cultural Heritage and Landscape Code.