by InTrieste
Across Italy, more than 700 rarely accessible sites — from historic palaces to private gardens and cultural landmarks — will open their doors to the public on October 11 and 12 as part of the 14th edition of the Giornate FAI d’Autunno (FAI Autumn Days), an annual event organized by the Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano (FAI), Italy’s National Trust.
In Friuli Venezia Giulia, visitors will be able to explore 22 extraordinary openings and eight special initiatives across nine municipalities. Due to the annual Barcolana regatta in Trieste, the city’s openings will take place the following weekend, on October 18 and 19, ensuring that residents and visitors can enjoy both events without overlap.
The initiative offers visitors the chance to discover Italy’s rich and often hidden heritage — from art and architecture to industry and nature — through guided tours led largely by FAI volunteers, including many young people. Entry is by voluntary donation, with proceeds supporting the foundation’s mission to protect and promote Italy’s cultural and environmental treasures.
This year’s edition also marks a milestone: the 50th anniversary of FAI’s founding in 1975 by Giulia Maria Crespi and Renato Bazzoni, alongside Alberto Predieri and Franco Russoli.
FAI President Marco Magnifico described the event as “a model of civic collaboration between citizens who wish to understand their country more deeply and the volunteers who make this possible. It is a celebration of shared responsibility that fosters knowledge, hope, and a sense of community.”
Exploring Friuli Venezia Giulia
In Trieste, the FAI Giovani group will offer two distinct tours. The first, Via Cassa di Risparmio: Between History, Art, and Creativity, will take visitors through the historic headquarters of the CRTrieste Foundation, featuring its Art and Industry Stock Collection and the ITS Arcademy, Italy’s first museum dedicated to contemporary fashion. Visits will also be available in English and Slovenian by reservation.
Another highlight will be the monumental Banca d’Italia building on Corso Cavour, typically closed to the public. Designed in the late 19th century for the Austro-Hungarian Bank, the structure was later expanded by the architect Arduino Berlam. Guided tours will trace the building’s architectural evolution and its role in the city’s financial history, with special visits arranged for visually impaired guests.
In Gorizia — one of the twin capitals of the 2025 European Capital of Culture — FAI will open the Prefecture Palace (Palazzo della Torre), whose architectural history spans five centuries, and the Max Fabiani Art High School, originally built as the Casa dell’Opera Nazionale Balilla in 1928. Both sites will host guided tours and thematic discussions highlighting the city’s cultural transformation.
Special events in Gorizia will include an exclusive visit to the Prefecture Garden, a hidden green space in the heart of the city, and guided tours of two historic libraries: the Biblioteca Statale Isontina and the Trgovski dom Library, the latter a key site of Slovenian heritage designed by architect Maks Fabiani in 1904.
In Pordenone and the nearby town of Valvasone Arzene, visitors can explore the medieval Castello di Valvasone, the Casa-Studio Edo Janich — home and atelier of the renowned engraver and painter — and the eco-conscious Cantina TreZero, where tradition meets sustainable innovation in winemaking. The weekend will also feature concerts, art exhibitions, and even a gathering of vintage motorcycles.
A Celebration of Shared Heritage
Participation in FAI Autumn Days not only allows visitors to experience Italy’s hidden beauty but also contributes directly to the preservation of the country’s cultural landscape. Donations collected during the event will support restoration, education, and conservation projects throughout the year.
Members of FAI — including those who join during the event — will enjoy priority access and exclusive tours across all participating sites.
“Taking part in FAI,” Magnifico noted, “means taking part in an act of love for Italy.”
A full list of sites, opening hours, and booking information is available on the official website: www.giornatefai.it.
