Every year, Italy opens its doors, quite literally, to hidden corners of its history. The FAI (Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano), known in English as the Italian Environmental Foundation, is a non-profit foundation dedicated to restoring, maintaining, and reintroducing the public to historic sites across the country. Twice a year, the organization grants access to buildings, gardens, and villages that are usually closed to the public. These events not only help reconnect Italians and visitors with the country’s architectural and cultural legacy but also contribute to local economies through cultural tourism and voluntary donations. By investing in heritage conservation, FAI turns history into a living form of sustainable development. Below, are short descriptions of a few of the many enthralling sites opening to the public this time.
Campiglia Marittima, Livorno
The first stop on this year’s itinerary is Campiglia Marittima, a medieval hilltop town where every ancient stone tells the story of a rich history filled with political and military power. The Palazzo Pretorio, also known as the residence of the 14th century Captain of Justice, is a grand structure that is still adorned with the coats of arms of Florentine governors from the 15th to 17th centuries. The addition of a clock tower to this architectural beauty, rightfully earns it the title of the tallest building in the area. The highlight, however, is the Teatro dei Concordi, inaugurated in 1867 and designed by engineer Francesco Fedi. Its neoclassical design boasts an elliptical interior adorned with 38 tiers that could hold up to 600 spectators. After closing and reopening several times over the past century, the theatre now stands as a preserved gem and a symbol of local creativity, one that is further brought to life by FAI’s maintenance work.
Village of Anchiano, Borgo a Mozzano, Lucca
Further north, in the Serchio Valley near Lucca, the fortified village of Anchiano offers a perspective on Italian heritage marked by both medieval grandeur and wartime memory. Anchiano has long been a strategic watchpoint over the valley and the Garfagnana region. At its centre is the Romanesque Church of San Pietro Apostolo, built atop the remains of a medieval castle once controlled by the powerful Suffredinghi family, and serving as a base and retreat point for the Nazi army. Inside the church, visitors can find art spanning centuries – from a 15th-century triptych to 17th-century Baroque paintings and 18th-century sculptures of the Crucifixion. During FAI Autumn Days, an Anchiano tour retraces centuries of local history, from its Roman roots to its role as a German military base during World War II. Visitors can explore the old village gates, the church’s underground chambers, and even join a youth event titled “Un messaggio oltre: Linea Gotica”, an interactive treasure hunt tracing the legacy of the Gothic Line, a major WWII defensive front, making this a must visit attraction.
Post WWII Garden in Pisa’s Sant’Antonio, Neighborhood
The Garzella family garden, once home to the Patriarchi estate, was destroyed in a 1943 bombing during World War II. Upon returning to the ruins, engineer Giovanni Battista Garzella chose not to rebuild upward, as was common in postwar urban design, but to preserve open space. His new home, completed after the war, was surrounded by a garden designed as a breathing space for both the family and the city. The garden stands as a rare architectural and environmental testament to resilience, reminding visitors that heritage is not only what survives from the past, but also what is intentionally rebuilt. During FAI Days, visitors can view original photographs, blueprints, and documents tracing the family’s story, often accompanied by personal anecdotes from the descendants themselves. This combination of private memory and public history embodies the very essence of FAI’s work: preserving Italy’s beauty not as a living narrative influenced by time and people.
To access the complete list of historical sites that will be available for public view in Tuscany this weekend, visit the website.
Through its restoration projects and public events, FAI proves that heritage is an investment, and by opening sites like Campiglia Marittima, the Garzella Garden, and Anchiano to the public, the foundation sustains local tourism, fosters community pride, and supports Italy’s broader cultural economy. Thus, visiting any of these sites is highly recommended for those who want a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Italian history and culture, and donations are encouraged to support the organization in continuing its timeless work. (Naysa Seth)
