Romantic Night of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy (Vitorchiano)

The 'hanging village' lights up for the Romantic Night

Every year, for the summer solstice, Vitorchiano joins the Romantic Night of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, a major national event that transforms hundreds of villages across the peninsula into places of emotion, beauty, and connection. Known as the 'hanging village' for its position perched above the Vezza valley, the town offers one of the most evocative settings in Lazio: medieval peperino alleys, intimate squares, and dizzying viewpoints that, when illuminated for the occasion, create a unique atmosphere.

A national event born from the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy

The Romantic Night is promoted by the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy association, of which Vitorchiano is a member. It involves around two hundred villages nationwide with over a thousand initiatives, including concerts, performances, readings, exhibitions, emotional trails, and tastings from sunset until late at night. In 2025, the event celebrated its tenth anniversary, confirming its status as one of the most beloved appointments in the Italian tourism and cultural landscape. In Vitorchiano, the event is organized by the Municipality, with tourism councillor Alessandro Vagnoni serving on the association's national board.

The illuminated cliff and the Moai Belvedere

The heart of the evening in Vitorchiano is the dramatic lighting of the cliff that supports the historic center: a spectacular sight that highlights the profile of the 'hanging village'. Nearby, the Ettore Salimbeni Belvedere is decorated in a romantic style under the gaze of the famous Moai, the monumental peperino sculpture created in the nineties by stone carvers from Easter Island—the perfect spot for a sunset souvenir photo.

Open-door art: Artists' Gallery and Tower

For the Romantic Night, the Artists' Gallery inside the Sant'Agnese complex and the Artists' Tower (managed by the EIPAA association) open for special visits: a widespread journey through art, creativity, and beauty that guides couples and visitors to discover the most hidden corners of the historic center.

The official dessert: "Pensiero d'Amore"

As in all participating villages, local restaurants in Vitorchiano take part by serving the official dessert of the Romantic Night: for 2026, it is "Pensiero d'Amore" (Thought of Love), a creation by pastry chef Francesca Benedettelli designed specifically for the national event. A delicious way to end the evening in the village's restaurants and bars.

Vitorchiano, a jewel of the Viterbo Tuscia

The Municipality of Vitorchiano, in the province of Viterbo, is one of the most fascinating destinations in the Tuscia region and Lazio: a medieval village that has been loyal to Rome since the 13th century, it preserves walls, towers, and houses perched over the precipice. The Romantic Night is the perfect time to discover it in an unusual guise, amidst soft lights, artistic glimpses, and local flavors, less than an hour and a half from the Capital.