The Village of Wishes

A night of stars and wishes in the alleys of Casale Marittimo

Every year, around August 10th, the small hillside village of Casale Marittimo, in the Province of Pisa, takes center stage for one of the most anticipated evenings of the Tuscan summer: The Village of Wishes. The event celebrates the Night of St. Lawrence, when the sky fills with shooting stars, inviting residents and visitors to experience the historic center in an atmosphere suspended between magic and tradition.

The national initiative of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages

The Village of Wishes is not an isolated event: it is part of a major national initiative promoted by the I Borghi più Belli d'Italia association, of which Casale Marittimo is a certified member. On the same night, over 150 villages from the north to the south of the peninsula join the event. The concept is simple and poetic: from sunset until dawn, you explore the village, look for shooting stars, and make a wish in a spot designated as the most evocative in the town, often a well, a fountain, or a secret garden.

What happens in Casale Marittimo

In Casale Marittimo, the heart of the evening is Piazza del Popolo, from where the event kicks off before spreading through the alleys, stairways, and small squares of the historic center. The program is designed for all ages: live music, performances, creative workshops for children, exhibitions, and moments of sharing take place throughout the evening. During the night, it is possible to observe the stars, discover the corner dedicated to wishes, and participate in activities organized by the Pro Loco and local associations.

Flavors and tradition

The culinary dimension, a true strength of Tuscan village festivals, is not to be missed: cocktails and dishes inspired by the theme of wishes, offerings from local businesses, and above all, the traditional frati caldi (warm fried doughnuts) prepared by the Pro Loco, whose scent fills the alleys and accompanies the evening until late at night.

A village to discover

Perched on a hill in the Val di Cecina, just a few kilometers from the sea of the Pisan and Livornese coast, Casale Marittimo is a jewel of rural Tuscany, with its medieval layout, walls, stone houses, and views that stretch to the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Village of Wishes is the ideal opportunity to discover it in its most evocative guise, when the evening lights and the August stars create a unique atmosphere.