Some of Rome's most magnificent houses will be open to the public during the month of October. The inaugural edition of "Ville di Roma a porte aperte" takes place from 1-31 October and is organised by the Palladio cultural tourism association in collaboration with the capital. There will be guided tours of the houses, many of which are in private ownership and have never been open to the public.

The calendar of events follows a chronological sequence, beginning with Renaissance masterpieces such as Villa Chigi and Villa Lante, progressing to baroque buildings such as Casino dell'Algardi and Casino Boncompagni Ludovisi, and finishing with houses dating from the end of the 19th century/start of the 20th century. Inside the doors of these buildings is a wealth of artistic and architectural jewels, from Renaissance times to neoclassicism, by Italian masters such as Peruzzi, Raphael, Sangallo, Vignola, Vasari, Caravaggio, Guido Reni, Guercino, Vasanzio, Bernini, Canova and Valadier.

The cost to visit each house is €10, with a small additional charge added by some locations.