Chiese Aperte
A Sunday in May exploring the hidden religious treasures of Irpinia
About Chiese Aperte
Chiese Aperte: Sacred heritage revealed
Chiese Aperte is a national festival promoted by Archeoclub d'Italia, held annually since 1994 and reaching its 32nd edition in 2026. For one Sunday in May, local branches of the association open up churches, chapels, convents, hermitages, and sanctuaries that are typically closed or difficult to access, with volunteers, scholars, and local guides accompanying visitors. The organizers' stated goal is to "awaken a new awareness of the treasure that is Italy's religious heritage," turning small towns into capitals of culture for a day.
Santo Stefano del Sole, a gem of Irpinia
In 2026, the national circuit selected fifty exceptional sites from north to south, from Manduria to Terracina, including the Municipality of Santo Stefano del Sole, in the Province of Avellino, Campania. With just over two thousand inhabitants, located about ten kilometers from the provincial capital and perched at an altitude of 500 meters, the town is known as the Belvedere of the Valle del Sabato for the panoramic views over the surrounding hills. The village, led by Mayor Gerardo Santoli, recently celebrated five hundred years of municipal autonomy: an anniversary that added further significance to the decision to open its minor places of worship.
Two 17th-century treasures
The extraordinary openings featured two buildings that are usually closed or rarely accessible:
- Church of the Immacolata Concezione, also known as the Chapel of San Giovanni, whose foundation dates back to 1590;
- Cappella dell'Annunziata, built in 1698, a small treasure chest with its charm intact.
As the organizers explained, these are "small places of worship that preserve centuries of religious memory and community identity." Antonella Botta, president of the Avellino Archeoclub, drew attention to the paintings inside, likely attributed to the school of Solimena or Lo Zingaro: an artistic heritage that often remains off the traditional tourist circuits in the villages of Irpinia.
A secular and spiritual pilgrimage
Every edition of Chiese Aperte has a central theme. The 2026 edition was dedicated to the eight-hundredth anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi and focused on sites of Italian Franciscanism, with excursions, guided tours, and cultural walks. It is not merely a tourist event, but what the organizers define as a true secular and spiritual pilgrimage through Italy's small towns.
Why it's worth it
- Free entry to historical buildings that are normally inaccessible;
- Visits are led by those who truly know the area, blending art history, popular devotion, and local chronicles;
- An opportunity to discover the lesser-known Irpinia, with its hills, views, and local flavors;
- The initiative supports the protection and promotion of a widespread heritage at risk of abandonment.
When it takes place
The event is traditionally held on a Sunday in May: May 11 in 2025 and May 10 in 2026. Openings generally begin in the morning, around 10:00 AM, and continue throughout the day. Updated information on participating sites, including downloadable fact sheets and posters, is published on the national Archeoclub d'Italia website in the weeks leading up to the event.
Chiese Aperte — edition 2026
Chiese Aperte 2026: Santo Stefano del Sole unveils its treasures
On Sunday, May 10, 2026, Italy's religious heritage was showcased in a unique way thanks to the 32nd edition of Chiese Aperte, the national event by Archeoclub d'Italia. The edition held special significance as it was dedicated to the eight-hundredth anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi: fifty churches, convents, hermitages, and sanctuaries were opened for free along an itinerary that crossed the peninsula from Manduria to Terracina, featuring about 45 excursions and cultural walks.
In the Province of Avellino, the Municipality of Santo Stefano del Sole was a key participant: the Church of the Immacolata Concezione (also known as the Chapel of San Giovanni, founded in 1590) and the Cappella dell'Annunziata (1698) were opened to the public—two places of worship that are usually closed or rarely accessible and hold centuries of religious memory and community identity.
Fortunata Flora Rizzo, national vice-president of Archeoclub d'Italia, spoke of "a great turnout and excellent participation, because there is a desire to know and admire the cultural heritage of small villages." Antonella Botta, president of the Avellino Archeoclub, highlighted the value of the works preserved in the chapels, likely attributed to the school of Solimena or Lo Zingaro. Mayor Gerardo Santoli included the opening as part of the promotion of a town that recently celebrated five hundred years of municipal autonomy.
Programme Chiese Aperte 2026
Sunday, May 10, 2026 — Santo Stefano del Sole (AV)
- Extraordinary opening of the Church of the Immacolata Concezione (known as the Chapel of San Giovanni, founded 1590), normally closed to the public;
- Extraordinary opening of the Cappella dell'Annunziata (1698), with an explanation of the paintings and furnishings kept inside;
- Welcome and accompaniment by volunteers from Archeoclub d'Italia and the municipal administration, with stories about the history of the two buildings and the village;
- Walk through the historic center, including the viewpoints of the Belvedere of the Valle del Sabato.
Openings for the national event generally start in the morning, around 10:00 AM, and continue throughout the day. The full calendar of the fifty participating sites, with fact sheets and posters, was published on the Archeoclub d'Italia website. The national festival concluded on May 16 and 17 in Massa Lubrense.
Highlights Chiese Aperte 2026
- Church of the Immacolata Concezione (San Giovanni), founded in 1590
- Cappella dell'Annunziata, built in 1698
- Paintings likely attributed to the school of Solimena or Lo Zingaro
- Edition dedicated to the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi
- Fifty sites open across Italy, free admission
- Views from the Belvedere of the Valle del Sabato
Prices Chiese Aperte 2026
Practical information — Chiese Aperte
Location
Santo Stefano del Sole (AV), Campania — Church of the Immacolata Concezione (known as San Giovanni) and Cappella dell'Annunziata, in the village center.
How to get there
By car: from the A16 Naples-Canosa motorway, take the Avellino Est exit, then the SS7 bis towards Serino/Valle del Sabato; the village is about ten kilometers from Avellino. By train: Avellino station, then local bus connections to the Valle del Sabato. Nearest airport: Naples Capodichino (about an hour's drive).
Admission
Free, as with all openings of the national Chiese Aperte event.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes: the village is hilly and the chapels are reached on foot. Openings are concentrated in a single day, so it is best to arrive in the morning. Information: Municipality of Santo Stefano del Sole, Via Colacurcio 54, tel. +39 0825 673053; Archeoclub d'Italia, www.archeoclubitalia.org.
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Where does it take place — Chiese Aperte
Chiesa dell'Immacolata Concezione (San Giovanni) e Cappella dell'Annunziata