On Sunday, May 24, 2026, the National Day of the Italian Historic Homes Association returns, opening more than 450 sites—including castles, villas, palaces, parks, and gardens—to the public free of charge.
The theme of this year’s event is “Guardians of the Future: A Living Heritage for a Shared Love”
The following sites will be open to the public in Pisa:
- Giardino Garzella (Via Sant'Antonio 106) - free admission without reservation, open from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2.30 pm to 5 pm.
The owners will be on hand to welcome visitors and provide a brief historical overview of the site.
The Garzella palace and garden are located on a site previously occupied by the Casa Patriarchi, as evidenced by a 19th-century print depicting a compact two-story building with a rooftop terrace, accessible from Via Sant’Antonio and featuring a large garden.
Owned by the Garzella family since the early 20th century, the building was destroyed in the tragic bombing that struck the Sant’Antonio neighborhood on August 31, 1943. It was rebuilt by engineer Giovanni Battista Garzella in the 1950s, who reversed the layout of the complex, with the front of the current building facing Via Francesco Crispi and the large garden winding around the back, situated on a raised level above street level.
In terms of layout, the garden unfolds through a fluid system of stone paths that trace a calligraphic design across the lawns, enhanced by a lively interplay of volumes created by shrubs and trees—selected with an eclectic eye—and by vast floral accents that contribute to the vibrancy of this private space.
- Giardino pensile dell'Ussero (Lungarno Pacinotti 26) - free admission, reservation required: https://www.associazionedimorestoricheitaliane.it/evento-dimora.
Open from 2.30 pm to 6 pm.
The roof garden of Palazzo Rosso (a historic building listed by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage) is already documented in the deed of purchase for the Historic Residence (1494), which describes the palace of San Martino alla Pietra as consisting “of four floors and a citrus garden with a tower, partly covered and partly open, behind said palace, and four shops.”
The garden of Palazzo Agostini was once part of the ring of pleasure gardens that enriched the city; having fallen into oblivion, it was brought back to life a few years ago.
At 5 pm - Lecture on the history of the Garden organized by the Accademia dei Disuniti and the Accademia dell’Ussero.
https://www.associazionedimorestoricheitaliane.it/event/469693
