When walking into a bank in Italy, you may often be struck by its size and furnishings.
Often with vaulted ceilings and plenty of dark green marble, Italy’s banks are examples of a grandiose banking tradition.
Many banks don’t just hold their treasures in safes under lock and key, but are hosts to a significant artistic and cultural Italian heritage, with employees having access to rooms, halls and stairs unknown to customers passing through.
To share this heritage with inquisitive Italian art buffs and museum goers, the Invito a Palazzo initiative is being revived again this year, with 85 historical Italian buildings (including 50 banks) in 47 cities in Italy, open to the public from 10am to 9pm on Saturday October 4.
Frescoes, paintings, sculptures, baroque courtyards, gardens and cellars will be open in an event which highlights Rome’s cultural heritage in particular.
Other regions participating are Lombardy, Emilia Romagna and Tuscany, where it will be possible to view examples of Italian antique furniture, art collections and moments of historic civil significance.
Here you can find a map and details of the bank buildings open, divided by region.