Sundays at Villas, Mansions, and Castles

The “Sundays at Villas, Palaces, and Castles…” event returns in May, now in its ninth year! Eighteen private historic residences, often closed to the public, will open their doors for this occasion.

The residences are located between Bergamo and its province, Franciacorta in the Brescia area and the province of Lecco, a group that originated in the Bergamo area but expanded in 2023, on the occasion of Bergamo-Brescia Italian Capital of Culture, to the neighboring provinces.  

Nine Sundays featuring guided tours between spring and fall allow history and art enthusiasts to discover the treasures housed in these residences. In many cases, the homeowners themselves will lead the groups.

The offerings are very varied: visitors will explore country villas with splendid parks, fortified castles, and city palaces with magnificent frescoed halls. Every residence is worth visiting because each has its own unique features. For a small donation, you can request the “PASSPORT OF HISTORIC RESIDENCES” to collect stamps from all the residences you visit. Loyal visitors who tour them all and collect all eighteen stamps will receive a special thank-you gift from us!

In addition to tours, several residences will also offer other experiences: concerts, workshops, tastings…. From the collaboration between FAI - Palazzo Moroni, Palazzo Agliardi, and Palazzo Terzi comes “The Treasure of the Silk Thread,” a project conceived by FAI to introduce the general public to Bergamo’s artistic heritage and explore the theme of silk, which for centuries has sustained the province’s economy. At Palazzo Agliardi, the Fal’ Fil Silk Museum will set up a special educational workshop to tell the story of silk.

Many other activities, which you can find described in the individual property listings, are held in addition to these openings throughout the year: guided tours for groups by reservation, corporate or private events, concerts, overnight stays… 

On the website www.dimorestorichebergamo.it you can consult the calendar with event details, the description of each residence, a map showing their locations, contact information for booking, and details on prices and times for each visit. Guided tours require a fee and are subject to mandatory reservation via the online form or by emailing the individual residences.

This year, our event is sponsored by ADSI – Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane ETS (Italian Historic Residences Association) of the Lombardy Section.