Lecco City of the Betrothed
The festival celebrating Manzoni in his city
About City of the Betrothed
The only festival dedicated to Manzoni
Lecco City of the Betrothed is the only festival in Italy entirely dedicated to Alessandro Manzoni and his most famous novel, The Betrothed. It could only take place in Lecco: it is here, on the eastern branch of Lake Como, that Manzoni set the story of Renzo and Lucia, and here that the writer spent part of his childhood, in Villa Manzoni in the Caleotto district.
A weekend between literature and places
The festival, organized by the Lecco Urban Museum System (SiMUL), offers a packed schedule of events for an autumn weekend: conferences, literary meetings, guided tours, theatrical readings, and musical moments. The venues are the most significant places in the city — Officina Badoni, Palazzo delle Paure, Palazzo Belgiojoso, Canottieri Lecco, Villa Gomes, Villa Ghislanzoni — in a journey that intertwines literature and architectural heritage.
Manzoni as living heritage
Each edition chooses a theme that invites a re-reading of Manzoni in light of the present. The underlying idea is that of living heritage, uniting past and future, memory and innovation, literary tradition, and new languages. The festival is aimed at both scholars and the general public, with a language capable of making Manzoni accessible and current.
Towards the new Manzonian Museum
The festival also accompanies the enhancement of Villa Manzoni, the writer's house-museum, and its Manzonian Museum. A project that makes Lecco, in the Province of Lecco and the Lombardy Region, the Italian capital of Manzonian memory, a destination for literature enthusiasts from all over Italy.
City of the Betrothed — edition 2026
The 16th edition of Lecco City of the Betrothed is scheduled for autumn 2026, following the tradition of holding the festival on the first weekend of October. The event, organized by the Lecco Urban Museum System, is the only one in Italy entirely dedicated to Manzoni and his masterpiece.
The program, as is customary, will combine conferences, literary meetings, guided tours, theatrical readings, and musical moments, spread across the most significant locations in the city. The theme for the 2026 edition and the precise dates will be announced by the organizers. In 2026, the reopening of Villa Manzoni with the expanded Manzonian Museum is also planned.
Programme City of the Betrothed 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be announced by the organizers closer to the event. The usual structure of the festival includes:
- Conferences and literary meetings on Manzoni and The Betrothed
- Guided tours of the Manzonian sites in the city
- Theatrical readings and performances
- Musical moments
Traditional venues include Officina Badoni, Palazzo delle Paure, Palazzo Belgiojoso, Canottieri Lecco, Villa Gomes, and Villa Ghislanzoni.
Highlights City of the Betrothed 2026
Prices City of the Betrothed 2026
Practical information — City of the Betrothed
How to get here
The events take place in various locations in Lecco, including Villa Manzoni and the main historic buildings of the city. The city is reachable by train from Milan and Bergamo and by car from the SS36.
Admission
Many events are free; some guided tours and shows may require booking. Information: SiMUL, tel. +39 0341 481114.
Tip
Combine your visit to the festival with a tour of Villa Manzoni and the Manzonian sites of the city, from the Pescarenico district to the Azzone Visconti bridge.
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Where does it take place — City of the Betrothed
Villa Manzoni e sedi diffuse
Via Don Guanella 1, 23900 Lecco