FAI Opens 780 Cultural Sites Across Italy for Spring 2026

The Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano (FAI) will hold its 34th Spring FAI Days on March 21-22, 2026, opening 780 cultural sites across 400 Italian cities. The event, founded by Giulia Maria Crespi and Renato Bazzoni in 1975, has engaged nearly 13.5 million Italians since 1993, with over 17,000 sites explored. This year's edition features a special itinerary commemorating the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, with openings in 8 regions including the Sanctuary of San Donato in Ripacandida (PZ), the Franciscan complex of San Bernardino in Caravaggio (BG), and the Convent of San Fortunato in Montefalco (PG). Other notable openings include Rome's Palazzo della Cancelleria, Milan's Palazzo Turati, Turin's Palazzo di Città, Naples' Stadio Maradona, Genoa's Lanterna, Palermo's Porta Nuova, Bari's Teatro Margherita, and Casa L'Orto in Praiano (SA), home of Carol and Sol LeWitt. The event relies on 17,000 volunteer 'apprentice ciceroni' and free contributions, with some visits requiring FAI membership. FAI President Marco Magnifico emphasized the event's role as a 'powerful megaphone' for the foundation's daily conservation work.