On Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28European Heritage Days (GEP), Europe’s most participatory cultural initiative, promoted by the Council of Europe and the European Commission, returns. This year’s theme, Architectures: the art of building, invites us to explore the architectural heritage (tangible and intangible) that shapes our cultural identity and the aspirations of European national communities.
During GEP 2025, thousands of cultural sites throughout Italy will open their doors with free guided tours, special openings, educational workshops, performances, historical re-enactments and thematic conferences. State museums, in particular, will offer evening openings on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the symbolic cost of 1 euro, making culture accessible to all.
This year’s theme celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 1975 European Year of Architectural Heritage, and is interpreted in Italy as an invitation to rediscover the variety of styles, materials and techniques that have reshaped the social environment. Architecture is seen not only as a function of spaces, but as collective memory, social narrative, spiritual and artistic testimony.
Rome: a journey through visible and invisible architecture
In Rome, the Capitoline Superintendence offers a rich program of events at museums and archaeological sites, with guided tours, thematic itineraries, special evening openings for 1 euro and activities for all ages.
Saturday, September 27:
- “Time for Art” at the Pinacoteca Capitolina, the Ara Pacis Museum and the Museum of Rome.
- Special tours of the Argentina Theater Museum, Porta San Paolo and the Ardeatino Bastion, with in-depth studies of defensive architecture.
Sunday, September 28:
- Pathways between tangible and intangible architectures at the Casal de’ Pazzi Museum.
- Tours with LIS interpreters to Centrale Montemartini, Aurelian Walls, Porta del Popolo and the exhibition on Carlo Levi and Piero Martina.
Abruzzo: among castles, museums and villages to rediscover
Abruzzo is also enthusiastically participating, offering a program spread among L’Aquila, Chieti, Pescara and numerous inland villages:
L’Aquila – Museo Nazionale d’Abruzzo (MuNDA)
- Free guided tours of the Borgo Rivera Museum, the 16th-century Castle and the Amiternum Archaeological Park.
- Special appointments: visit to the Mammoth and thematic tours on historic architecture.
Chieti – Villa Frigerj
- Saturday: narrated tour of the 19th-century mansion and evening opening with “Stories of Women, Princesses and Goddesses.”
- Sunday: detail hunt for families and children to discover architectural details of the museum.
Pescara and province
- Guided tours there will also be in Pescara to the church of St. Anne and the restoration site of the Rowing Club “La Pescara”, a venue rebuilt and restored several times due to events such as river floods and World War II bombings, is now one of the most representative sports buildings in the city and Abruzzo, a symbol of resilience and tradition.
- A number of buildings in Manoppello can also be discovered free of charge, such as the Roman villa and theAbbey of St. Maria Arabona, one of the most important examples of Cistercian architecture in Abruzzo, founded between 1197 and 1208 by Cistercian monks, which stands on a hill overlooking the Pescara valley.
- In Lettomanoppello, on the other hand, Trekking at the rock site of St. Michael the Archangel is scheduled for Sunday 28.
An opportunity for all
GEP 2025 is an invitation to rediscover our heritage with fresh eyes, through stories, architecture and community. Whether you are in Rome or Abruzzo, the weekend of September 27-28 will be an unmissable opportunity to experience culture in a participatory and accessible way.
Many activities are free, but some charge a symbolic ticket, and some events also require reservations. For the detailed and updated program, it is always recommended to consult the official websites of museums and superintendencies.
