17 Places Open in Lecce for FAI Spring Days 2024 | Italy Travel

Seventeen locations across the Province of Lecce in Italy’s Puglia region opened their doors to the public this weekend as part of the annual Giornate FAI di Primavera (Spring FAI Days), an event dedicated to Italy’s cultural and landscape heritage. The two-day event, running Saturday, March 21st and Sunday, March 22nd, 2026, featured a diverse range of sites, from historic churches and castles to urban woodlands and contemporary art installations.

The initiative, now in its 34th edition, is organized by the Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano (FAI), the National Trust for Italy. Volunteers and student “Apprendisti Ciceroni” (apprentice cicerones) from local schools guided visitors through the sites, sharing their knowledge and passion for the region’s cultural wealth.

Among the locations open to the public in Lecce city was the Casa Museo Spada, housed within a former industrial building, Palazzo Prete. The museum showcases over 1,000 musical instruments dating from the 17th century to the 20th century, collected by Francesco Spada. Visitors were offered guided tours by Spada himself, and the event culminated in short concerts performed on period instruments by students from the “Tito Schipa” Conservatory.

In Parabita, the “Votiva” project transformed traditional roadside shrines – edicole votive – into an open-air museum. Contemporary artworks by renowned artists such as Mimmo Paladino and Michelangelo Pistoletto were displayed alongside expressions of local religious devotion, creating a dialogue between artistic traditions.

The Bosco delle Ciancole, a biodiversity-rich woodland near Maglie, was also opened for the occasion. Established in 1880 by Senator Achille Tamborino, the forest features ancient oak trees, including a particularly majestic specimen known as the “Querciaccia,” and walking paths steeped in the legacy of poet Salvatore Toma, who found inspiration within its boundaries.

The Giornate FAI di Primavera aim to raise awareness about the importance of preserving Italy’s cultural and natural heritage, and to foster a sense of civic responsibility for its protection. The FAI relies on the contributions of its members and volunteers to carry out its mission.