ADSI's 16th National Day Opens Italy's Historic Homes for Free

On May 24, 2026, the 16th National Day promoted by ADSI (Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane) will open historic homes across Italy to the public for free. In 2025, the event involved over 500 residences and more than 250,000 visitors. ADSI's 2026 theme is 'Custodi di futuro. Un patrimonio vivo per un valore condiviso.' The article argues that historic homes should become strategic hubs for territorial rebalancing, not just cultural containers. Italy has over 46,000 private cultural properties, often in small towns. About 60% of these homes engage in economic activities (tourism, agriculture, culture, events), generating employment. In 2024, over 19,000 homes received visits, hosting more than 35 million people. The article highlights a parliamentary initiative by Federico Mollicone on horizontal subsidiarity and a tax relief bill introduced by Giulio Tremonti on June 24, 2025. ADSI President Maria Pace Odescalchi emphasizes that 85% of maintenance and restoration costs are self-financed, with investments exceeding €1.9 billion in 2024. She calls for simplified regulations, unified VAT for listed buildings, and extension of the Art Bonus to private cultural properties. The interview underscores the role of historic homes in training young professionals and fostering sustainable tourism.