On Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, Rome will host a weekend where beauty literally costs 1 euro: the GEP—the European Heritage Days (European Heritage Days) — are back. This is Europe’s largest and most widely attended cultural event, promoted by the Council of Europe and coordinated in Italy by the Ministry of Culture.
The 2026 theme, “Protecting Heritage: Renew, Resist, Reinvent,” will feature guided tours, special openings, and initiatives taking place across state museums, archaeological sites, and lesser-known locations managed by the Capitoline Superintendency.
From the Centrale Montemartini to the Aurelian Walls: sites open in Rome during past editions
In Rome, the beauty of the GEP is precisely this: they go beyond the usual suspects. In recent editions, the Capitoline Superintendency has opened spaces such as the Centrale Montemartini in Ostiense and the Museum of the Walls on the ancient Via Appia to the public, in addition to organizing themed tours of Palazzo Braschi, the Napoleonic Museum in the heart of Piazza Navona, and the Ara Pacis Museum.
The complete and detailed 2026 program will be available online only after the registration deadline, set for September 18, but the Superintendency participates consistently every year: this is the first thing to keep an eye on.
GEP 2026 Daytime Events: Guided Tours and Special Openings in Rome
The 2026 daytime program is already taking shape, and it’s full of places that even Romans themselves have often never visited: On Saturday, September 26, the Central State Archives opens with the exhibition “L’identità sospesa” (Suspended Identity); the Casanatense Library opens its Monumental Hall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to showcase the recently completed restoration work; and volunteers from the Roman Archaeological Group will lead free tours of Villa Ada Savoia.
On Sunday, the 27th, it’s the Appian Way’s turn, once again with the Roman Archaeological Group. Among the most intriguing events, on Saturday, the 26th, the Rome War Cemetery is hosting an open house with guided tours, while the Alessandrina University Library is holding a talk at 5 p.m. on this year’s theme.
The calendar is constantly being updated: other Roman institutions have until September 18 to add their own initiatives.
Nighttime events: Rome’s museums open for 1 euro on Saturday evenings
On Saturday evening, as is the GEP tradition, participating state museums will remain open late with a symbolic admission fee of 1 euro (except for those already exempt by law). The first to confirm this for 2026 is the MUCIV—Museum of Civilizations at the EUR—which has already announced its evening opening for 1 euro on its official website.
Among the most consistent participants in the last two editions are the Borghese Gallery at Villa Borghese—with evening sessions and mandatory reservations—and Palazzo Barberini on Via delle Quattro Fontane; in 2024 , Castel Sant’Angelo, the National Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia, the National Gallery of Modern Art, and the Baths of Caracalla were also added.
The full 2026 schedule has yet to be confirmed for most state museums: between now and September 18, it’s a good idea to check the Ministry of Culture’s website and the social media channels of individual museums, as spots for evening openings fill up quickly.
