Cortili Aperti celebrates five years.

The Lazio branch of the association of historic houses, Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane (ADSI), provides a unique opportunity to visit the courtyards of some of Rome’s most important privately-owned historic homes this weekend 23-24 May.

The fifth edition of the annual Cortili Aperti initiative involves a visit to the courtyards of numerous private palaces, which are usually closed to the public, from 10.00-19.00. The visits take place in the presence of ADSI guides as well as the owners of the properties.

The participating historic palaces belong to the Attolico, Berardi Guglielmi, Borghese, Capizucchi, Capponi Antonelli, Cisterna, Costaguti, Del Drago, Grazioli, Lante, Malvezzi Campeggi, Massimo Lancellotti, Montoro, Odescalchi, Pasolini dall’Onda, Ruspoli, Sacchetti, Sforza Cesarini, Taverna, and Torlonia families, as well as the Pamphilj palace in Piazza Navona, the seat of the Brazilian embassy.

For the second year, the capital’s artisans take centre-stage, presenting their skills in the courtyards of the palaces they help to conserve. Organisers say the role of artisans is crucial in the maintenance of Rome’s historic buildings, and the more than 30 craftspeople involved include restorers, gilders, framers, glaziers, potters, bronze workers, silversmiths, clockmakers and mosaic artists.

The non-profit organisation ADSI was founded in 1977 to help in the conservation, development and management of historic homes and to raise public awareness of Italy’s cultural heritage. The Cortili Aperti visits are free and do not require reservations.

For more information tel. 066832774, e-mail lazio@adsi.it, and for full Rome programme see the ADSI website.

Palazzo Attolico, Via di Parione 12.

Palazzo Berardi Gugliemi, Via del Gesù 62.

Palazzo Capizucchi, Piazza di Campitelli 3.

Palazzo Capponi Antonelli, Via di Monserrato 34.

Palazzo Cisterna, Via Giulia 163.

Palazzo Costaguti, Piazza Mattei 10.

Palazzo Del Drago, Via dei Coronari 44.

Palazzo Grazioli, Via del Plebiscito 102.

Palazzo Lante, Piazza dei Caprettari 70.

Palazzo Malvezzi Campeggi, Via del Consolato 6.

Palazzo Massimo Lancellotti, Piazza Navona 114.

Palazzo Montoro, Via di Montoro 8.

Palazzo Odescalchi, Piazza dei SS. Apostoli 81.

Palazzo Pasolini dall’Onda – già Santacroce, Piazza Benedetto Cairoli 6.

Palazzo Ruspoli, Via della Fontanella Borghese 56/B.

Palazzo Sacchetti, Via Giulia 66.

Palazzo Sforza Cesarini, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 284.

Palazzo Taverna, Via di Monte Giordano 36.

Palazzo Torlonia, Via Bocca di Leone 78.