Open House Rome

A long weekend to rediscover Rome from the inside

Open House Rome is the event that, every May, opens hundreds of buildings and spaces in the capital to the public for free, many of which are usually closed or inaccessible. Organized by the non-profit cultural association Open City Roma APS, the festival is part of the international Open House Worldwide network, present in dozens of cities around the world, and brings a simple yet powerful idea to Rome: telling the story of the city through its architecture, voiced by architects, owners, students, and volunteers.

How it works

For an entire long weekend, over 220 locations open their doors: historic palaces and private residences, institutional headquarters and embassies, design studios, construction sites, infrastructure, churches, villas, and converted industrial spaces. The program also includes approximately 60 urban tours on foot or by bicycle and about fifty special events, including meetings, workshops, and activities designed for families and children. All initiatives have free admission: some can be visited freely, while others require booking on the official website.

The 2026 edition: «City in Flux»

The 14th edition, scheduled from May 16 to 24, 2026, revolves around the theme «City in Flux», a reflection on the city as a system in constant transformation, where historical heritage and environmental responsibility intertwine. Among the most anticipated openings are Piazza Augusto Imperatore, the Mausoleum of the Equinoxes, the new "Colosseo - Fori Imperiali" Metro C station, Palazzo Wedekind, Villa il Vascello, Forte Aurelia, and the Octagonal Hall of the Planetarium. The program is completed by the Insulae spin-off, dedicated to design as a participatory practice, and the Designing Rome from a Female Perspective trail, which highlights the contributions of female architects, urban planners, and designers.

A festival spread across the city

There is no single venue: Open House Rome is by definition a city-wide event that crosses the districts of the historic center and reaches out to the suburbs and outskirts, from the Roman Forum to new contemporary architectural hubs. It is this capillarity that makes it a unique opportunity to read Rome as a layered organism, where different eras and languages coexist.

A project on architecture as a common good

Beyond individual visits, Open House Rome promotes an idea of an open, shared, and participatory city, where the culture of design becomes everyone's heritage. The event takes place in the Municipality of Rome, the heart of the Lazio Region, and involves thousands of people, including the public and volunteers, every year, confirming its status as one of the most popular cultural events of the Roman spring.