FAI Spring Days – Cagli

The FAI Spring Days in Cagli

The FAI Spring Days are one of Italy's most beloved cultural events: for an entire weekend, the Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI) opens hundreds of normally closed or little-visited places to the public, guiding visitors on free guided tours. In Cagli, an elegant town in the Province of Pesaro and Urbino in the Marche region, the event is curated by the FAI Cagli – Terra del Catria e del Nerone Group, which each year selects some of the most significant assets in the historic center and surrounding territory.

A City with a Franciscan Identity

Cagli boasts a unique urban history: the city was refounded in 1289 by Pope Nicholas IV, the first Franciscan pontiff in history, according to a plan that intertwined architecture, spirituality, and a political vision of urban space. For this reason, the FAI Days have dedicated an itinerary to the borgo's Franciscan heritage, with the Church of San Francesco recognized as one of the most important contexts for understanding the relationship between Franciscanism and the construction of the medieval city.

The Open Sites

Among the featured sites in Cagli's openings are the Teatro Comunale (Municipal Theater), a gem of Marche theater architecture, and religious buildings such as the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Stelle on Monte Martello, built by the community in 1495 with an unusual Greek cross plan. The visits, spread between morning and afternoon, allow visitors to discover frescoes, historical stage sets, and architectural details that are otherwise difficult to admire.

The Apprentice Cic erones

• Students from local schools guide visitors along the routes
• Institutions such as the "Celli – Michelini Tocci" Comprehensive Institute of Cagli and the "Torelli" Scientific High School of Pergola are involved
• An educational project that brings young people closer to cultural heritage and its preservation

Why Participate

The FAI Days in Cagli are an opportunity to experience an authentic Marche borgo away from the major tourist routes, while simultaneously supporting the FAI's mission in preserving Italian landscapes and historical assets. Entry to the sites is by voluntary contribution to support the Foundation, which is particularly appreciated by FAI members.