Lucciolata — The Night Magic

A night among fireflies in the heart of the Po Valley

When darkness falls over the Campo della Ghina in Borgolavezzaro, in the province of Novara, a spectacle that many thought was lost comes to life: the silent, glowing flight of fireflies. The Lucciolata — The Night Magic is a guided evening walk that invites you to rediscover this phenomenon and, more generally, the life that populates the Piedmontese countryside at night. It is a simple and poetic event, designed for families, curious minds, and nature enthusiasts.

The Campo della Ghina, a restored oasis

The walk takes place within the Campo della Ghina, a natural island recreated starting in 1985 by the Burchvif association to safeguard the original habitats of the Po Valley, which have almost disappeared today due to intensive agriculture. In about one hectare, a lowland forest dominated by English oak coexists with wetlands featuring reed beds and flooded alder groves, yellow irises, water lilies, and a rich fauna consisting of amphibians, dragonflies, and birds such as the long-eared owl and the nightingale. It is in this protected environment, recognized as an oasis by Piedmontese regional law, that fireflies still find the conditions to reproduce.

Fireflies and nocturnal birds of prey

During the tour, guides explain why fireflies are considered true environmental bioindicators: their presence signals a healthy ecosystem, while their disappearance is linked to habitat loss, light pollution, and climate change. Thanks to the collaboration of Novara Birdwatching, the evening also devotes space to nocturnal birds of prey, discussing their habits, calls, and ecological role. The walk thus becomes a small open-air journey of environmental education.

A FAI event for the local area

The Lucciolata is promoted by the FAI Novara Delegation — the National Trust for Italy — in collaboration with the cultural association Burchvif and Novara Birdwatching. The contribution requested from participants is donated to FAI to support activities for the protection of the country's natural and cultural heritage. It is a recurring appointment in the spring calendar of the Municipality of Borgolavezzaro and the Piedmont Region, highly anticipated by those who want to experience the nature of the Novara area in a different and conscious way.