Montalto within the Walls (and To See the Stars Again)

A village illuminated by candlelight

Montalto tra le mura is the summer festival that the Municipality of Montalto di Castro, in the province of Viterbo, dedicates to its historic center. Its most iconic moment is «A riveder le stelle», the candlelit path: for two consecutive evenings, the village's public lights are dimmed, and thousands of flames—over ten thousand in the most recent edition—trace a route through the alleys, stairways, arches, and squares of Montalto Paese. The title is a Dantesque homage, also reflected in the photo contest that accompanies the event.

The origins of the event

The initiative has grown over just a few seasons thanks to the Historic Center Committee, a group of volunteers who prepare the decorations, arrange the candles, and coordinate the village merchants every year. The stated goal is to enhance the identity and beauty of the ancient core, which in the summer months risks being overshadowed by the Montalto Marina coastline and the nearby Vulci archaeological area. The formula has worked: the festival is now one of the most popular summer events in the northern Lazio Maremma.

A different theme every year

Each edition chooses a common thread for its sets and decorations. The last one featured the sea, highlighting the deep bond between the hilltop town and its eight kilometers of coastline: nets, sails, seashells, and shades of blue accompanied the walk among the candles. In the past, the route has played with masks, abstract painting, and references to the Divine Comedy.

Music, street performers, and children

The program goes beyond the night walk. From late afternoon, the village comes alive with:

• live musical entertainment and DJ sets along Viale Garibaldi and in Piazza Giacomo Matteotti;
• street performers: stilt walkers, clowns, puppets, roving characters, and fire shows;
• workshops for little ones, with Kamishibai animated readings by the local bookstore and wooden games;
• art and photography exhibitions set up in the halls and cellars of the historic center;
• tastings and street food with typical Maremma products, from organic Maremma meats to local oils and cheeses.

The photo contest

Among the most popular activities is the photo contest dedicated to the candlelit path: participants document the views, reflections, and atmosphere of the illuminated village, and the best shots are then exhibited. It is a way to multiply perspectives on the event and return the visual memory of each edition to the community.

Montalto di Castro and its territory

Montalto di Castro is located in the far northwest of Lazio, a few kilometers from the Tuscan border, between the Tyrrhenian coast and the hills of the Tuscia region. The historic center preserves its medieval layout around the Guglielmi castle and the walls that give the festival its name. Within a few minutes' drive, you can reach the Vulci Naturalistic Archaeological Park, with its Etruscan necropolis and the famous Devil's Bridge, the beaches of Montalto Marina, and, further north, Tarquinia with its UNESCO-listed painted tombs. Those arriving for the candlelit evening will find an entire territory to explore in the following days.

What atmosphere to expect

It is a village festival in the best sense of the term: without massive stages or big names, built on the hard work of residents and a simple, successful idea—walking in the dark guided only by candles. The audience is diverse—families with children, couples, coastal tourists, and curious visitors from Viterbo and the Tuscan coast—and admission is free, making the event easily accessible to everyone.