Romantic Night in the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy

The Romantic Night in Castel del Monte

The Romantic Night in the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy is a national event that, every year around the summer solstice, celebrates the love and beauty of Italy's small historic towns. Among the Abruzzo villages taking part is Castel del Monte, a stunning town in the Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, perched on the slopes of Monte Bolza in the heart of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park.

A village of wool, transhumance, and legends

Castel del Monte is one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy and preserves a medieval historic center of rare charm: narrow alleys, tower-houses, passages under stone arches (the sporti), and the ancient gates of San Rocco and Sant'Ubaldo. Known as "the village of wool and transhumance," its history is tied to shepherding and the shepherds who, between the 11th and 12th centuries, took refuge here, creating the fortified Ricetto. It is also nicknamed "the village of witches" due to ancient folk beliefs that still come alive today in a nocturnal re-enactment dedicated to local legends.

What happens during the evening

During the Romantic Night, from sunset until late at night, the village lights up simultaneously with lights, torches, and candles. The widespread program offers moments common to all participating villages as well as activities specific to each town:

• candlelit strolls through the alleys of the historic center;
• concerts, serenades, and musical performances in the squares;
• art installations, exhibitions, and guided tours;
• tastings of local products, including the famous Canestrato di Castel del Monte, a pecorino cheese that is a symbol of the territory;
• the official "Pensiero d'Amore" dessert, served simultaneously in all participating villages.

A unique atmosphere under the stars

The national edition has love and memories as its central theme: an invitation to rediscover, among the stones of this L'Aquila village, the emotions and memories linked to places of the heart. The backdrop of the Gran Sasso, the starry sky of the solstice, and the hospitality of the local community make the evening in Castel del Monte an intimate and authentic experience, far from mass tourism.

Useful information

The participation of individual villages in the Romantic Night varies from year to year depending on the registrations of the respective municipalities. It is recommended to check the participation and the updated program for Castel del Monte on the official channels of the I Borghi più Belli d'Italia association and the Municipality before planning your visit.