Il Borgo dei Libri
The literary festival that turns Torrita di Siena into a town of readers
About Borgo dei Libri
A village that turns into an open-air bookstore
Il Borgo dei Libri is the literary festival that brings the historic center of Torrita di Siena to life every May. Located in the Val di Chiana, in the Province of Siena, in the heart of Tuscany, the event was founded in 2015 with the ambition of making Torrita "the town of reading." For a few days, the streets and squares of the medieval village are transformed into a vast, open-air bookstore where publishers, booksellers, antique dealers, authors, writers, and cartoonists meet a curious public of readers.
What to expect
The heart of the event is the book fair, set up along the streets of the center, accompanied by a packed program of presentations, conferences, readings, performances, and creative workshops. The historic venues for the event include the Teatro degli Oscuri, the Sala Fedra Neri Farolfi in Piazza Matteotti, and the Sala delle Spighe in Via O. Maestri, in addition to the village's outdoor spaces.
- Meetings and presentations with writers and popularizers
- Workshops and readings dedicated to children and teenagers
- Exhibitions, including those showcasing work created by local schools
- Award ceremonies for literary competitions, such as the Clanis Literary Competition
- A special focus on children's literature and micro-publishing
A local event
Il Borgo dei Libri is promoted by the Municipality of Torrita di Siena in collaboration with the Società Bibliografica Toscana, the Fondazione Torrita Cultura, the Accademia degli Oscuri, and the local Pro Loco, with the patronage of the Tuscany Region, the Province of Siena, the Union of Valdichiana Senese Municipalities, and the Center for Books and Reading. Its strong roots in the community are also reflected in initiatives dedicated to schools, such as book vouchers distributed to students to encourage their love of reading.
Why it's worth visiting
More than just a book fair, Il Borgo dei Libri is a village festival built around culture: strolling among the stalls and the halls of the village, listening to an author, and then tasting the typical products of the Valdichiana is the best way to experience a slow, high-quality weekend in the Sienese countryside. It is an ideal destination for families, passionate readers, and curious travelers looking to discover an authentic corner of Tuscany far from the most crowded tourist circuits.
Borgo dei Libri — edition 2026
The twelfth edition of Il Borgo dei Libri, held from May 22 to 24, 2026, marked an important milestone: for the first time, the festival extended to three days instead of two, preceded by a series of previews throughout May.
Over twenty initiatives enlivened the historic center of Torrita di Siena, including meetings with authors, workshops for children, exhibitions, conferences, and performances, distributed between the Teatro degli Oscuri, the Sala Fedra Neri Farolfi, the Sala delle Spighe, and the village's outdoor spaces. The book fair through the streets of the town and the awards ceremony for the Clanis Literary Competition were also confirmed.
Programme Borgo dei Libri 2026
Friday, May 22
- 9:00 PM — Sports Hall: inaugural talk with physicist and popularizer Vincenzo Schettini, author of "La fisica che ci piace" (tickets on liveticket.it)
Saturday, May 23
- 9:30 AM — Inauguration of the school projects exhibition
- 3:30 PM — "Il Risveglio dei polli", game-book by Giovanni Franceschelli
- 4:30 PM — Readings and workshops "In search of Courage"
- 5:30 PM — Archaeological conference "A cameo glass balsamarium"
- Evening — "Dalla parte delle bambine", performance by the Bucchero Theater Company
Sunday, May 24
- 10:00 AM — Conferences on local history and edible herbs
- 10:30 AM — Workshops "Using our heads"
- 3:00 PM — Awards ceremony for the Clanis Literary Competition
- 5:00 PM — Geo-archaeological conference
- 5:30 PM — Closing performance
Among the authors and speakers present over the three days: Giampaolo Simi, Samantha Macchia, Simona Fruzzetti, Luca Bigozzi, Silvia Cassioli, Fabio Mundadori, Roberto Frazzetta, Paolo D'Orazio, Paola Iannelli, Angela Correl, and others, including the crime-themed meeting "Delitti di carte e di fatto".
May Previews
- May 9 — Nature readings at Podere Padolecchie
- May 15 — "Peter and the Wolf", musical fairy tale by Fondazione Aida
- May 16 — Reading workshops for children at the Montefollonico Library
- May 21 — Angela Correl presents "Village Life"
Highlights Borgo dei Libri 2026
Prices Borgo dei Libri 2026
Practical information — Borgo dei Libri
How to get there
Torrita di Siena is located in the Val di Chiana, in the Province of Siena. By car, it can be reached via the A1 motorway (Valdichiana or Chiusi-Chianciano exits) and the Siena-Bettolle junction. By train, the reference station is Sinalunga, on the line to Siena, or Chiusi-Chianciano Terme on the Rome-Florence line, with bus connections to the center.
Admission and tickets
Access to the book fair and most of the initiatives is free. Some major evening events may require a separate ticket, generally available online through the platforms indicated by the organizers.
Tips
The event takes place in the historic center: it is advisable to park in the external parking areas and reach the venues on foot. For the updated program and times, please refer to the official website and the festival's social media channels.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Borgo dei Libri
Centro storico di Torrita di Siena
Centro storico, 53049 Torrita di Siena