The Romantic Night in the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy

A Night of Love in the Val Taro Village

The Romantic Night in the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy is the major national event promoted by the Club The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy which, just before the summer solstice, simultaneously lights up over two hundred villages across the peninsula. In Compiano, a small municipality of about a thousand inhabitants nestled in the Parma Apennines in Emilia-Romagna, the initiative finds an exceptional setting: a perfectly preserved medieval village, dominated by its Castle, which for one evening transforms into a romantic candlelit stage.

Compiano, the 'San Marino of Parma'

Counted among the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, Compiano is located in the heart of the Val Taro, in the province of Parma. Once the capital of the Landi State, one of the longest-lived independent principalities in Italian history, the village is nicknamed the San Marino of Parma for its ancient autonomy. The Compiano Castle, built on a rocky spur overlooking the Taro River, retains the appearance of a fortress from the 15th to 18th centuries and today houses the renowned Museum of Freemasonry and a food and wine museum dedicated to the valley's products.

Experiencing the Romantic Night

Each village interprets the evening in its own way, with a common thread that changes from year to year. Typically, during the Romantic Night, visitors can experience:

• streets and squares illuminated by candles, torches, and warm lights, with light hearts and themed decorations;
• sunset dinners and aperitifs offered by local restaurateurs and businesses;
• guided evening tours of the Castle and its ramparts, suggestively lit;
• shared symbolic moments – toasts, readings, and rituals dedicated to promises of love;
• live music and slow strolls through the most picturesque corners of the village.

The 2026 Edition

The 2026 edition is set for Saturday, June 20th, close to the summer solstice, with the national theme 'Love for Memories'. Compiano is among the participating villages for Emilia-Romagna. The detailed program for the village will be announced in the weeks leading up to the event: advance booking is recommended for dinner at the Castle and local initiatives.

An Experience for Couples and Families

The Romantic Night is not just for lovers: the intimate atmosphere of the candlelit village is also perfect for a family evening, with children discovering the illuminated castle and medieval alleys in a fairytale setting. It's the ideal opportunity to visit one of the most charming villages in the Parma Apennines just as summer begins.