Benedetto Croce National Culture Prize

The literary prize of Pescasseroli

The Benedetto Croce National Culture Prize takes place every year in Pescasseroli, a small town in the province of L'Aquila nestled in the heart of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. The village, one of the most charming in the Abruzzo Apennines, is famous for being the 1866 birthplace of the philosopher Benedetto Croce, one of the greatest Italian thinkers of the 20th century, to whom the prize is dedicated.

A national recognition

Established by the Municipality of Pescasseroli in 2005 and held for the first time in 2006, the prize recognizes the best books published in the previous twelve months across three categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Journalistic Literature. Over the years, the event has grown to become one of the most authoritative literary gatherings in Abruzzo, featuring a high-profile jury chaired by the writer Dacia Maraini.

Three days of culture

The event spans three days filled with activities that bring Piazza Umberto I and the Ettore Scola Cinema to life. The program alternates between book presentations, author meet-and-greets, film screenings, and school-focused sessions, culminating in the solemn awards ceremony for the winners. During the prize days, it is also possible to visit Benedetto Croce's birthplace, thanks to the collaboration of the Ersilia and Zel Sipari Foundation.

Culture and territory

The prize is deeply rooted in the identity of Pescasseroli, blending its cultural vocation linked to the figure of Croce with the extraordinary natural setting of the National Park. In a territory where mountains and literature engage in dialogue, the event attracts a passionate audience every summer, helping to promote inland Abruzzo as a place for civic reflection and high culture.

A summer appointment for Abruzzo

With the patronage of the National Park and the involvement of regional institutions, the Croce Prize represents an opportunity to discover Pescasseroli and its history, through walks in the village, excursions in the Park, and meetings with some of the most significant voices in contemporary Italian literature.