Notte d'Incanto

Notte d'Incanto in Capistrello

Notte d'Incanto is a cultural and sensory event hosted in Capistrello, a town in the Marsica area of the Abruzzo region. Conceived and organized by the Associazione Amici dell'Emissario OdV, the event transforms the path leading to the monumental outlet of the ancient Emissario di Claudio—later restored by Prince Alessandro Torlonia—into a nocturnal journey of light, sound, and wonder. The date is significant: it commemorates August 9th, 1862, the day work began on draining Lake Fucino, one of the greatest hydraulic engineering feats of the 19th century, following a route mapped out nearly 1,800 years earlier by Emperor Claudius.

A sensory experience in the dark

The core concept of Notte d'Incanto is to traverse the trail in the dark, allowing the senses to reach their full potential. Visitors are divided into small groups and guided along the path, where the sound of the Liri river blends with live music from flutes, cellos, and saxophones placed along the route. Light and color installations illuminate the way, while a dedicated astronomy segment invites guests to look up at the starry summer sky of the Marsica region.

History and memory of the Emissario

The heart of the initiative is the preservation of collective memory linked to the Emissario and the stonemasons of Capistrello, who spent generations working the stone. The Associazione Amici dell'Emissario, active since 2017, has contributed to the restoration and accessibility of the trail, returning a site of great historical and landscape value to the community. Today, Notte d'Incanto is the flagship of a rich summer calendar that also includes social walks, the Emissario Trekking, and conferences dedicated to local history.

How to participate

The event is held by mandatory reservation only, with staggered departures in small groups throughout the evening. Given the limited capacity of the trail, spots are strictly limited and early booking is recommended. The event is supported by the Municipality of Capistrello and the Fondazione Carispaq, involving civil protection volunteers, local producers, and artisans from the Marsica area.