On Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12, 2025, the most anticipated event for lovers of culture and beauty returns: the FAI Autumn Days.
For two days, more than 700 places in 350 Italian cities will exceptionally open their doors. Rome and Lazio will also be protagonists, with extraordinary openings of historic palaces, secret gardens, monumental complexes and sites normally inaccessible.
An opportunity to rediscover Italy from within and support the mission of the Fund for the Italian Environment, which has been protecting and enhancing the country’s heritage for 50 years.
What is FAI and why participate in the FAI Fall Days.
FAI – Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano is a foundation established in 1975 to protect the most beautiful and fragile places of our artistic and natural heritage.
The FAI Days – in spring and fall – represent the symbolic event of the foundation: a weekend when thousands of volunteers open places usually closed or little known to the public, offering guided tours with free contribution.
Participating means discovering hidden treasures but also concretely supporting land protection and contributing to knowledge and civic awareness.
In 2024, the initiative involved more than 750,000 visitors and more than 13,000 volunteers throughout Italy. The 2025 edition also marks FAI’s 50th anniversary, with symbolic openings and special routes dedicated to the themes of water, light and memory.
FAI places to visit in Rome during the 2025 FAI Fall Days.
Rome will be one of the richest centers of proposals, with openings that combine artistic charm, institutional history and hidden glimpses.
Here are the most interesting, exclusive and surprising places to discover on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12.
- Trevi Fountain – The secret maneuvering chamber
Under the famous fountain hides a technical chamber where the canals that feed the Virgin Aqueduct flow. A unique opportunity to go “behind the scenes” of one of the most photographed monuments in the world. (Reservations required for FAI members.) - Palace of Water and Light (Acea Heritage)
Between Testaccio and Ostiense, this 1930s building tells the story of energy and water in Rome, with historic installations and vintage industrial design. A journey between architecture and innovation. - Casino Giustiniani Massimo at the Lateran
A little-known gem that houses frescoes inspired by Dante, Ariosto and Tasso, painted by Nazarene painters in the 19th century. Art, literature and spirituality meet in a silent place almost suspended in time. - San Giovanni Addolorata Hospital
Not just a place of care, but a piece of the city’s history: an 18th-century pharmacy, monumental courtyards and traces of ancient medieval buildings can be found here. Guided tours by FAI volunteers. - Semenzaio and Clivo di Villa Celimontana
A green corner in the heart of Rome: among rare plants and glimpses of the Colosseum, the seedbed tells the botanical history of the eternal city. Also perfect for those who love photography and nature. - Viminal Palace
For the first time in years, the Ministry of the Interior opens to the public: you can visit the historic halls, inner courtyards and discover the secrets of one of the most impressive institutional places in the capital. (Sunday, October 12 only, reservations required.) - Church of San Lorenzo in Panisperna
Often closed, this is one of the oldest churches in Rome, built over the house of St. Lucy. The special opening allows visitors to admire little-known frescoes and artifacts.
FAI places open in Lazio in the Fall 2025 edition.
Not only Rome: the rest of Lazio also offers surprising itineraries during the FAI Fall Days.
Here are some of the most fascinating places not to be missed outside the city:
- Villa Taverna Parisi-Borghese (Ariccia).
An aristocratic villa nestled in the green Castelli Romani, with frescoes, gardens and period furnishings, usually closed to the public. - Abbey of San Nilo (Grottaferrata).
A masterpiece of Byzantine monasticism, still active, where Eastern tradition blends with Italian medieval history. - Santa Severa Castle (Santa Marinella)
A seaside fortress with centuries of history, breathtaking views and recently restored halls. - Farnese Palace (Caprarola)
A symbol of the Latium Renaissance, with frescoed rooms and the majestic spiral staircase. FAI tours provide access to areas not usually open to the public. - Monastery of St. Benedict (Subiaco).
Perched on the rock, it is known as the “Sacro Speco,” where Benedictine monasticism was born. Suggestive and spiritual. - Villa Mondragone (Monte Porzio Catone)
One of the most elegant papal residences in the Alban Hills, now a venue for events and exhibitions, open for special guided tours. - Garden of Ninfa (Cisterna di Latina)
Not always included, but often present: one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, with medieval ruins covered in flowers and streams. - Civita di Bagnoregio
The “dying town” is back in the spotlight with guided tours through the badlands and stories of the village suspended on clay.
Practical information: reservations, times and how to participate in FAI Days 2025
📅 Dates: Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12, 2025.
💶 Cost: free contribution (suggested donation 3-5 euros).
📝 Reservation: compulsory for places with limited numbers or reserved for FAI members.
🧡FAI membership: you can make it online or directly on site, even on the day of the visit.
⏰ Hours: variable (can be consulted at fondoambiente.it).
👉 Tip: choose 2-3 places close together to enjoy the day without rushing, taking advantage of volunteer guides and “Instagrammable” photo experiences.
Why not to miss the FAI Fall Days 2025 in Rome and Lazio
The FAI Fall Days 2025 are not just a cultural event, but a weekend that restores beauty and hope and an invitation to look at Rome and Lazio with new eyes.
From the undergrounds of the Trevi Fountain to the secret palaces of the Viminale, each opening tells a story that unites past and future, art and active citizenship.