On Sunday, 56 historic houses and farms across Italy will open their doors to the public

On Sunday, through open days as well as guided tours and in-depth sessions, villas, castles, farmhouses and country estates will showcase a living heritage, where conservation goes hand in hand with productive activities, hospitality and the promotion of local specialities.

The figures from the 7th Report of the Observatory on Private Cultural Heritage confirm the ‘agricultural’ role of historic residences: in 35 per cent of cases, they grow cereals, 26 per cent have vineyards, 13 per cent are involved in fruit and citrus cultivation, whilst 9 per cent produce olive oil.

66 per cent of the agri-food businesses involved in the survey offer agritourism or other forms of rural accommodation, whilst 56 per cent promote, either on a regular or occasional basis, food and wine experiences open to the public, including guided tastings, visits to production sites, themed tours and events. Direct sales on the farm, reported by 37 per cent of businesses, also remain the main distribution channel.

Bolstered by these figures, historic residences are thus confirmed not only as guardians of Italy’s cultural heritage and agricultural traditions, but also as active drivers of sustainable development, tourist appeal and the promotion of ‘Made in Italy’ excellence.

“Historic homes,” said Minister Mazzi, “are marvellous places handed down to us from the past, but they can also speak to future generations because they tell the story of the land, the history of our ancestors and the identity of these places. In this regard, the role played by these sites in the tourism sector is fundamental, given that 30 per cent of Italy’s historic residences are located in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants and that one of the Ministry of Tourism’s main objectives is to spread tourist flows, particularly international visitors, who tend to concentrate in cities of art. This is a proposal for an alternative form of tourism that allows visitors to enjoy authentic experiences in local areas and will enable these historic residences to play a leading role in the future.”

Odescalchi (Historic Houses): passing on this heritage to the younger generation

“Through ‘Coltiviamo la Cultura’,” commented Maria Pace Odescalchi, President of the Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane Ets, “we wish to emphasise that historic houses are not merely custodians of art and memory, but living entities, deeply rooted in their local areas and their productive activities. Cultural heritage and agricultural heritage are part of a single ecosystem, capable of generating economic, social and cultural value for communities. Supporting this link means safeguarding the identity of these regions and creating the conditions for this heritage to continue to thrive and be passed on to future generations.”