The Romantic Night in the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy

The Romantic Night in Montescudaio

The Romantic Night in the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy is one of the most anticipated national events promoted by the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy. Established in 2016, it transforms hundreds of small historic centers into timeless settings every year around the summer solstice, where the beauty of alleys and squares meets romance. For the 2026 edition, scheduled for Saturday, June 20, the chosen theme invites us to rediscover our love for villages, our roots, and the memories that unite generations.

Among the participating villages is Montescudaio, a stunning town in the municipality of the same name in the Province of Pisa, in the heart of Tuscany and the Val di Cecina, just a few kilometers from the Etruscan Coast. Awarded the Orange Flag by the Touring Club and included in the club of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, Montescudaio is also a City of Wine, City of Bread, and City of Oil. For its Romantic Night, the village literally dresses in white, asking all participants to wear a total white outfit that makes the atmosphere even more evocative and uniform.

A medieval village between hills, vineyards, and the sea

Strolling through Montescudaio during the Romantic Night means crossing centuries of history. The hill, inhabited since the Villanovan era and frequented by Etruscans and Romans, entered recorded history in 1092 with the donation of the church of Sant'Andrea to the Benedictines by Gherardo Della Gherardesca. The construction of the Civic Tower, the ancient entrance to the castle, dates back to those years, while the historic center features the church of Santa Maria Assunta—which houses a 17th-century Annunciation of the Venetian school—and the remains of the Badia di Santa Maria, an ancient Benedictine nunnery. All around, the city walls and the small Guardiola tower are preserved, from which the view stretches over rows of vines and olive trees to the sea and the Tuscan Archipelago.

A night of taste and music

The heart of the evening is the grand open-air dinner in Piazza Matteotti, transformed into an open-air restaurant. The town's restaurateurs offer themed menus inspired by local tradition, featuring meat and fish dishes accompanied by the flavors that have made Montescudaio famous: Montescudaio DOC wine, cured meats, extra virgin olive oil, and "pane sciocco" (unsalted bread) baked in a wood-fired oven. The setting is completed by live music and attractions that enliven the alleys until late at night.

An international event

The Romantic Night is not just Italian: associations of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, Spain, Wallonia (Belgium), and Bosnia and Herzegovina also organize similar initiatives in their respective countries on the same occasion, making this evening an event dedicated to enhancing the identity and heritage of these territories. In Montescudaio, the event is organized by the Pro Loco Asprom in collaboration with the Municipality and effectively opens the village's summer season.

What to expect

• Total white dress code for all participants
• Cultural conference at CeDiAS, the center for archaeological and historical documentation
• Grand open-air dinner in the streets and squares of the historic center
• Themed menus curated by local restaurateurs, featuring typical products and DOC wine
• Live music and attractions along the village alleys