In total, 129 historic abodes in 17 regions will welcome visitors, including the house in Tuscany where Michelangelo was born and the Velletri home of the late Italian actor and director Ugo Tognazzi.

The initiative, organised by the national association Case della Memoria, is sponsored by Icom Italy and the culture ministry.

“In addition to promoting the two days of joint openings, we have invited each house to dedicate an itinerary, an in-depth study or a meeting to the theme of travelling memories,” said Adriano Rigoli, president of the Case della Memoria association.

“In the year of the seventh centenary of the death of the great traveller and narrator Marco Polo, it will be an opportunity to focus collectively on a fascinating topic that unites many famous people of the past who often travelled widely because of their roles,” he added.

The list of participating homes and booking instructions can be found on the website www.casedellamemoria.it.

ANSA