Romantic Night in the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy

The night of love in Italian villages

The Romantic Night in the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy is a national event promoted by the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, which every year at the beginning of summer simultaneously involves hundreds of certified small towns across the peninsula. Launched in 2016, it has become one of the most anticipated dates in the village tourism calendar: a single night when historic centers dress up in warm lights, candles, and installations to celebrate love in all its forms.

Among the Abruzzo towns participating in the initiative is Bugnara, in the province of L'Aquila, one of the most picturesque villages in the Peligna Valley. Perched at an altitude of about 600 meters at the foot of Colle Rotondo, the town joined the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy circuit in 2007 and, for one night, showcases its medieval beauty by turning squares and alleys into a romantic itinerary.

Bugnara, a stone village in the Peligna Valley

Bugnara develops around the ancient Ducal Castle, also known as the Scorpion Fortress, which dominates the town from the top of the hill. Walking through the historic center, you encounter the ruins of the fortifications, the Church of Santa Maria della Neve, the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, the Palazzo dei Papi, and the Palazzo del Barone Alesi dei Paparelli. It is in this setting of stone houses and views over the valley that the Romantic Night comes to life.

What to expect

The event format is shared by all participating villages, but each town adapts it with its own program. In Bugnara, the evening typically combines:

• Candlelight walks through the alleys of the historic center
• Live concerts and serenades
• Tastings of local products and themed menus in the village restaurants
• Artistic installations and love-themed exhibitions
• The "Pensiero d'Amore", the official dessert served simultaneously in all villages
• The midnight kiss with a collective toast

A community event

The Romantic Night is not just a concert or a food festival, but a widespread experience that enhances the village's identity and the bond between the community and its places. For Bugnara and other certified villages in Abruzzo, it also represents an opportunity for tourism promotion, inviting visitors to discover the region's historical and landscape heritage in an intimate, nocturnal setting. Admission to public spaces is free; some initiatives such as tastings or dedicated menus may have a cost.