On Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, the FAI Fall Open House Days return—an event that this year will feature the special opening of over 700 sites in 350 Italian cities, many of which are not normally open to the public. This widespread cultural heritage—comprising palaces, monasteries, archaeological sites, landscapes, workshops, and examples of Italian culture—is what the FAI invites you to rediscover through visits with a donation-based admission fee.
From the Capital to the Treasures of Lazio: Rome and Tivoli
For those traveling on the A24 highway, the journey can begin in Rome. Among the most prestigious attractions are the Accademia Nazionale di San Luca, a historic art institution founded in the late 16th century; the elegant Villa Blanc on the Nomentana; and the village of Ostia Antica, one of the best-preserved examples of the Roman region’s millennia-old history.
Continuing eastward, the Tivoli exit leads to one of the FAI’s most iconic sites: Villa Gregoriana, an extraordinary blend of nature, archaeology, and 19th-century hydraulic engineering. With its waterfalls, caves, scenic trails, and views of the Aniene Valley, it is one of the most evocative destinations in the entire Lazio program.
Marsica and the Sagittario Valley: Villages, History, and Stunning Landscapes
Once past the Torano junction, the A25 leads the way to some of the most fascinating places in inland Abruzzo.
From the Avezzano and Aielli/Celano exits, you can reach Celano and Capistrello, which are the focal points of itineraries dedicated to the history of the local communities. In Pescocanale, the route tells stories of emigration, departures, and returns, while in Celano, the chosen theme is aviation and the transformations that shaped the Marsican region throughout the 20th century.
From Cocullo, you can reach Villalago, often ranked among the most beautiful villages in the Apennines. Here, guided tours take visitors through stone-paved alleys, past the ancient mill, the medieval fulling mill, and the famous Hermitage of San Domenico, which overlooks the waters of the lake that bears his name—a place frequented by numerous deer. A place where history, spirituality, wildlife, and landscape come together in one of the most picturesque corners of Abruzzo.
Along the Tirino River and Toward the Maiella
The A25 highway also runs through one of the region’s areas richest in historical and natural attractions—a must-see during the fall foliage season.
The recommended exit is Bussi/Popoli, the gateway to one of the most extensive FAI itineraries in the 2026 edition. In Bussi sul Tirino, visitors can explore the Medici Castle, the Church of the Madonna del Ponte, the Tower of Sutrium, and the splendid Church of Santa Maria di Cartignano, nestled in the countryside and considered one of the most important examples of medieval architecture in Abruzzo.
Further away from the highway, from the Alanno/Scafa exit, Pennapiedimonte—a spectacular village at the foot of the Maiella—is well worth a special trip. The “La pietra prende vita” (Stone Comes to Life) initiative guides visitors along the Sentiero del Balzolo trail and through Palazzo Finocchi Mahne, recounting the centuries-old relationship between the inhabitants and the rocky mountain that characterizes this extraordinary town in Abruzzo.
Also in the Chieti area—accessible via the Chieti/Pescara exit— Giuliano Teatino offers a tour dedicated to the traditions of the sheep trails and the history of the rural communities that have lived along the transhumance routes over the centuries.
At the Foot of Gran Sasso: Crafts, Literature, and Traditions
The last route takes you back along the A24, on the Teramo side of the Gran Sasso.
After passing through the Gran Sasso Tunnel, take the Colledara/San Gabriele exit to reach Chiarino di Tossicia, where the FAI has chosen to highlight one of the central themes of the 2026 edition: Italian craftsmanship. The “Chiarino, Where Copper Becomes Art” tour showcases a traditional craft that continues to be passed down through the generations, while nearby, the colorful murals of Azzinano transform the small village into a unique open-air museum.
This same exit also leads to Colledara, where visitors will have a special opportunity to tour Palazzo Petrilli—located in the hamlet of Ornano Grande and offering spectacular views of the Gran Sasso Massif—as well as the home of the 19th-century writer Fedele Romani. These two events offer a chance to explore a lesser-known yet extremely significant part of Teramo’s cultural heritage.
An invitation to slow travel
The FAI Fall Days invite you to see the areas you pass through every day in a new light. Along the A24 and A25 highways, hidden behind every exit are villages, castles, hermitages, trails, ancient crafts, and stories that reveal the most authentic identity of central Italy. For a weekend, the journey isn’t just the road leading to your destination—it becomes part of the experience itself.
