On the occasion of the XVI edition of the National Day of the Association of Italian Historic Residences ETS, the largest distributed museum in Italy reopens its doors to the public for free, with over 450 historic residences open for visits throughout the Peninsula. Castles, villas, fortresses, parks, and gardens will exceptionally open their doors to offer a journey through the Italian cultural heritage, a custodian of history, art, and identity.

In Belluno, the appointment is set for Monday, May 25, at 4.00 p.m. with a special guided tour of the State Archive, housed in one of the most fascinating buildings in the city’s historic center.

The location of the State Archive coincides with the ancient “School” of the Flagellants of Santa Maria dei Battuti, a lay brotherhood of 14th-century origin adjacent to the homonymous church. A place of extraordinary historical and artistic value that, despite the numerous interventions it has undergone over the centuries, still preserves important testimonies of the past: valuable late Gothic frescoes from the 15th century and a rare series of painted wooden panels inserted between the original beams of the ceiling, an expression of the Gothic taste still alive in Belluno at the time.

The church of Santa Maria dei Battuti also tells a long and complex story. Built around 1330, it housed works by some of the greatest masters of Venetian painting, including Vivarini, Paris Bordone, Titian, Ridolfi, and Diziani. During the 19th century, many of these works were dispersed or transferred elsewhere, while the structure underwent profound transformations after the Napoleonic suppressions. Only in 1984 was the original complex reassembled, when the church was returned to the State and entrusted to the Archive for institutional purposes.

Reservation required via the form available at this link.

Free guided tour

On the occasion of “The Night of the Archives”, the State Archive of Belluno offers a special opening titled “Between Documents and Notes”. The event includes guided tours of the architectural complex of Santa Maria dei Battuti (church, chapter house, and garden), with the opportunity to also explore the documentary exhibition “30 Years of Exhibitions at the State Archive of Belluno”.

Visitation Times:

9:00 AM – max 25 people
10:00 AM – max 25 people
11:00 AM – max 50 people (with musical accompaniment by the Municipal Music School “A. Miari”)
12:00 PM – max 25 people

A unique opportunity to discover the historical-documentary heritage of the city, enriched by evocative live musical performances.