The Flowered Village
The floral contest that turns the alleys of Zungoli into a sprawling garden
About The Flowered Village
A village dressed in flowers
The Flowered Village is neither a food festival nor a concert: it is a slow, patient collective effort that lasts for months. From April to September, the residents of Zungoli, in the Province of Avellino, adopt an alley, a balcony, a staircase, or a small square and transform it into a miniature floral display. The result is a village that changes color as the season progresses: geraniums, hydrangeas, succulents, terracotta pots hanging on tuff walls, and, in the most recent edition, handmade crochet decorations.
Visitors arriving in Zungoli in the height of summer do not find a stage, but a trail: you wander up and down the narrow streets and alleys of the historic center, discovering decorated nooks around every corner, taking photos, and—if you wish—casting your vote. It is one of the simplest and most effective ways to promote a village, and it works particularly well in Zungoli because the narrow, vertical medieval urban fabric multiplies the possible perspectives.
How the contest works
The competition is organized by the Pro Loco Zungoli APS with the support of the municipal administration and is included in the Sistema Irpinia provincial calendar. Participation is free: those who wish to enter fill out the form (Model A) and email it to the Pro Loco by the end of April, then have all spring and summer to tend to their display.
- Photographs of the decorated corners are published on the Pro Loco social media pages, where the public can cast their votes.
- A technical jury of experts announces the top three finishers.
- Winners receive a cash prize.
- The awards ceremony takes place in September; in previous editions, it was held in the charming courtyard of the Norman Castle.
The edition dedicated to Dario Bavaro
The contest was conceived and promoted by Dario Bavaro, who also chaired its technical jury. The 2026 edition is dedicated to his memory and saw very high participation, with over fifty entries: a remarkable number for a town of fewer than a thousand inhabitants, which speaks volumes about the sense of belonging of the Zungoli community.
Zungoli, one of Italy's most beautiful villages
Zungoli is one of the few municipalities in Southern Italy to boast both the Orange Flag from the Italian Touring Club and membership in the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy circuit. Perched at 657 meters on a tuff hill in upper Irpinia, it preserves a historic center dominated by the Norman Castle, the Franciscan Convent, and above all, the famous tuff caves carved beneath the houses, historically used for aging Podolico caciocavallo cheese. In 2026, the town represented the Campania region in the "Il Borgo dei Borghi" television competition, placing third nationally: a recognition that brought an unprecedented flow of tourists to the Municipality of Zungoli, for which the floral contest has become the most photographed showcase.
A summer of events around the flowered alleys
The Flowered Village serves as the common thread for the "The Beautiful Summer in Zungoli — Between flowered alleys and flavors under the stars" festival, which brings events to the village in August and September, such as the "Al Chiaro di Luppolo" Beer Festival, the "Cheeses under the Stars" tasting dedicated to Irpinian cheeses, the Chicozza Festival with traditional local dishes accompanied by pizzica, tarantella, and tammurriata music, and the "Borghi Forte" cultural festival. Visiting Zungoli during this period means finding the alleys in bloom and, very often, a village festival in full swing.
When to go
The best time is from June to early September, when the displays are at their peak bloom. The visit is free and has no set hours: simply leave your car at the edge of the historic center and walk up. Late afternoon offers the best light for photography, and in the evening, many alleys remain illuminated.
The Flowered Village — edition 2026
Third edition, with over 50 corners competing
In 2026, the Pro Loco Zungoli contest reaches its most participated edition: more than fifty entries for a village in upper Irpinia that has fewer than a thousand inhabitants. The initiative is dedicated to the late Dario Bavaro, the creator and animator of the competition.
The formula remains the tried and tested one: residents decorate alleys, balconies, flowerbeds, and small squares in the historic center with floral installations—this year including crochet decorations—and photographs of the displays are published on the Pro Loco's social media pages, where anyone can vote. The final word, however, rests with the technical jury, which designates the three winners.
The contest opened to the public in the height of summer, with a tourist return that, according to the organizers, exceeded forecasts, also supported by the third national place obtained by Zungoli in the Rai competition "Il Borgo dei Borghi 2026". In August and September, the flowered alleys serve as the backdrop for the "The Beautiful Summer in Zungoli" festival.
Programme The Flowered Village 2026
Contest period: from April to September 2026, in the historic center of Zungoli.
- Registration: free, by filling out the form (Model A) and sending it to [email protected]; regulations and form downloadable from the Pro Loco website. Deadline set for the end of April.
- Displays: participants decorate alleys, balconies, flowerbeds, or small squares with floral installations; in the 2026 edition, crochet decorations are also allowed.
- Public vote: photographs of the decorated corners are published on the Pro Loco Zungoli Facebook and Instagram pages, where it is possible to cast your preference.
- Technical jury: a group of experts proclaims the top three finishers.
- Prizes: cash prize for the three winners.
- Awards ceremony: in September; in previous editions, the ceremony was held in the courtyard of the Norman Castle.
Events connected to "The Beautiful Summer in Zungoli 2026":
- August 2, 9:00 PM — "Al Chiaro di Luppolo" Beer Festival, in the historic center, with food and wine tastings, craft beers, local products, and music.
- August 10, 9:00 PM — "Cheeses under the Stars", a tasting tour dedicated to typical Irpinian cheeses, on the night of San Lorenzo.
- August 24, 9:00 PM — Chicozza Festival, with food stands and typical dishes accompanied by pizzica, tarantella, and tammurriata music.
- September 5, 5:30 PM — "Borghi Forte", third edition, dedicated to the memory of Dario Bavaro: artists and musicians, literary contest awards, and musical performances.
- Date to be defined — "Borghi in Scena", from 6:00 PM, with the screening of the short film "Su Zungoli: Basilicè" and the "Torrella" photographic exhibition in the village's nooks.
Highlights The Flowered Village 2026
- Over 50 entries: the most participated edition of the contest
- Alleys, streets, and nooks of the village entirely decorated with flowers and plants
- 2026 novelty: crochet decorations also allowed
- Voting open to the public on Pro Loco Zungoli social channels
- Cash prize for the top three finishers chosen by the technical jury
- Awards ceremony in September in the courtyard of the Norman Castle
- Edition dedicated to the memory of Dario Bavaro, creator of the competition
- Zungoli third place in the Rai competition "Il Borgo dei Borghi 2026"
Prices The Flowered Village 2026
Practical information — The Flowered Village
How to get there
By car: A16 Naples-Canosa motorway, exit at Grottaminarda, then take the SS90 road towards Ariano Irpino and Zungoli (about 30 km from the exit). From Foggia, you can arrive via the SS90 in about an hour. The historic center is pedestrian-only: park in the spaces at the entrance to the village.
By train: The reference station is Ariano Irpino or Benevento/Foggia, with onward travel by bus or taxi. Local rail service is limited: a car remains the most convenient option.
Costs
Strolling through the flowered alleys is completely free. Registration for the contest is free and is done by sending Model A to the Pro Loco. Only the tastings at the summer food and wine events in Zungoli require payment.
Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes: the village is hilly and the paving is made of stone.
- Combine your visit with a tour of the tuff caves and the Norman Castle.
- Check the Pro Loco Zungoli social media pages for the award ceremony date and the link to vote for the competing corners.
- For lunch or dinner, try the Podolico caciocavallo cheese and dishes based on chicozza, the town's signature product.
Contacts
Pro Loco Zungoli APS — [email protected] — prolocozungoli.com
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Where does it take place — The Flowered Village
Centro storico e cortile del Castello Normanno