Fifth edition of Open House Roma features 200 buildings around Rome.

Many of Rome’s museums, libraries, galleries and contemporary buildings to which there is normally limited public access are open free of charge over the weekend of 7-8 May during the fifth edition of Open House Roma.

Since its launch in 2012, the annual initiative dedicated to Rome’s varied architectural design has opened up hundreds of interesting, important and sometimes off-limits buildings. This year Open House Roma features 200 buildings around the capital, with more than 50 guided tours and special events.

Some of the highlights will include Villa Mazzanti and the nature reserve at Monte Mario, the Salone d'Onore at Palazzo H (seat of the Italian Olympic Committee) in the Flaminio district, the Bank of Italy at Palazzo Koch on Via Nazionale, the Palazzo Aeronautica near Termini station, the Ministero Marina Militare in Flaminio, and numerous tours around the west Rome suburb Primavalle.

The two-day event is divided into five categories: Abitare (visits to private apartments), Architettura del Quotidiano (buildings which animate daily life in Rome but are little known to many of the city's residents), Factory e produzione (new sites of innovation and creative production), Attraversare la storia (exploring Rome's buildings through the various historical ages), and Città della conoscenza (visiting the city's sites of knowledge, culture and research).

The Rome version of the worldwide initiative, which began in London in 1992, is co-ordinated by non-profit cultural association Open City Roma and its volunteers.

Booking is required for many of the Rome tours, for details see website.