Each spring, Bitonto reveals its most authentic and evocative self, welcoming residents and visitors to an experience that blends history, art, and civic engagement: Open Courtyards.

The event is organized by the Puglia Chapter of ADSI – Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane, a national organization devoted to preserving and promoting Italy’s historic private residences. With dedication and expertise, it helps open to the public some of the city's finest private homes—places that have shaped Bitonto’s identity through the centuries.

But this initiative is more than a celebration of heritage architecture and the charming corners of the old town. Above all, it is an invitation to shared knowledge, active participation, and a collective sense of care for cultural heritage.

The format is simple yet compelling: a city map comes alive with places usually hidden from view—noble palaces, monasteries, private gardens, places of worship, and memory. Each site is entrusted to young local guides, students from Bitonto’s schools specially trained to tell the stories behind these spaces in their own words. The event celebrates urban storytelling, where diverse voices intertwine to offer a communal portrait of the city.

With each new edition, more doors open, but the heart of the initiative remains unchanged: to promote slow, local tourism, encouraging Bitonto’s citizens to rediscover their city through overlooked details, untold stories, and stone walls that speak.

Over time, the event has also become a powerful driver of cultural tourism, drawing visitors from across Italy and, increasingly, from abroad. It reinforces Bitonto’s standing as a vibrant cultural hub—a city that successfully bridges local roots and international appeal through its architectural treasures and community involvement.

More info: https://www.bitontocortiliaperti.it