National Days of Authentic Italian Villages — Villetta Barrea

An authentic village in the heart of the Abruzzo National Park

The National Days of Authentic Italian Villages are a widespread event promoted by the Authentic Italian Villages Association: on the same autumn weekend, dozens of small municipalities across the peninsula open their doors to visitors to share their unique identity, rooted in community, landscape, craftsmanship, and tradition. Among them is Villetta Barrea, a village in the municipality of the same name in the province of L'Aquila, nestled between Monte Mattone and the shores of Lake Barrea, in the heart of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park.

Transhumance as a common thread

The identity of Villetta Barrea is deeply tied to shepherding and transhumance, an activity that served as the town's primary economic resource from the 15th century until the late 19th century. It is no coincidence that the village hosts the Transhumance Museum, housed in an ancient municipal sheepfold and managed in partnership with the Park Authority: here, among pastoral tools, historical photographs, and artisanal works, the history of the shepherds and their flocks comes to life. During the Authentic Villages Days, the museum becomes the focal point of the event, offering guided tours and dedicated workshops.

What to expect during the event

The program, which typically spans an entire weekend in October, features:

• Local markets in the squares and alleys of the historic center, showcasing regional food, wine, and crafts;
• Guided tours of the Transhumance Museum and local heritage trails;
• Workshops for children and families centered on pastoral life: from cheesemaking to basket weaving, from the secrets of the bagpipes to the "I am a little shepherd" game;
• Traditional Abruzzese folk music and dance throughout the village streets;
• Tastings of traditional dishes from Villetta Barrea and the upper Sangro Valley.

Why it's worth the trip

Participating in the Authentic Villages Days in Villetta Barrea means experiencing an Abruzzo mountain village in its most authentic form, far from the crowds of mass tourism. It is the perfect opportunity to combine nature (the National Park, the lake, the trails) with cultural heritage (transhumance, culinary traditions, craftsmanship) in one of the most evocative areas of the central Apennines.