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These are the 20 prettiest villages across Italy

The Local Italy
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These are the 20 prettiest villages across Italy
Orta San Giulio, an enchanting island village. Photo: Giulio Roggero/Flickr

Hoping to visit some of the lesser-explored corners of Italy, swapping the crowded city piazzas for idyllic scenery in tiny villages? The newly crowned 20 most beautiful Italian villages - that's one for each region - are a great place to start.

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The shortlist has been drawn up by the 'Borghi più belli d'Italia' organization, which every year selects 20 villages to promote, chosen for their landscape, heritage, and culture.

And 2017 has been named as the 'year of villages' by Italy's Culture Ministry as the country turns the spotlight on its hidden gems and encourages more diverse tourist itineraries. While hotspots such as Venice have been forced to introduce measures aimed at restricting visitor numbers, these villages are comparatively untouched by travellers. 

So from north to south and east to west, here are the most beautiful villages to visit across Italy in 2017.

Arquà Petrarca, Veneto

Arquà Petrarca is a medieval village that preserves the charm of the past and is nestled in Veneto's Euganean Hills. First established in Roman times, the village gained fame after Francesco Petrarch, one of Italy's greatest poets, chose to spend the last years of his life in this peaceful village. In return, the village added his name to its own, and you can learn more about the poet's life in the house where he once lived.

 

Un post condiviso da nicola.b (@nicola.besse) in data: 1 Mag 2017 alle ore 08:46 PDT

Canale di Tenno, Trentino Alto Adige

Anything but ordinary, this village lay abandoned after the Second World War, before being brought back to life in the 1960's as an artists' commune, where creative types from all across Europe gather together to exchange their ideas. Soak up inspiration as you stroll the narrow alleyways and enjoy panoramic views over nearby Lake Como.

 

A post shared by tm (@_travelman_) on Sep 20, 2016 at 1:16pm PDT

Castel Gandolfo in Lazio

 

This village hosts the summer residence of the Pope. It is surrounded by the natural beauties and it is filled with archaeological sites.

 

 

Un post condiviso da Alessandra Petruzzelli (@shari_tommy) in data: 25 Apr 2017 alle ore 12:18 PDT

Castelmezzano, Basilicata

Only 815 people live in this hamlet, which has previously been named as Budget Travel as one of the 'Best places in the world you've never heard of'. The houses and buildings are set into the rocky mountainside making for awe-inspiring views, and to enter you'll have to pass through a tunnel carved into the rock.

 

A post shared by Marjoleine Stol (@leintjepleintje) on Apr 30, 2017 at 9:59pm PDT

Castiglione di Sicilia, Sicily

Located close to the Gorges of Alcantara) Castiglione di Sicilia was singled out by Borghi Belli judges for both its natural and historical heritage. Nestled on Mount Etna's north side, this tiny gem is worth the steep climb to explore its churches and piazzas, nearby vineyards, and of course the stunning views.

 

Un post condiviso da I Borghi Più Belli d'Italia (@borghitalia) in data: 8 Dic 2016 alle ore 02:06 PST

Conca dei Marini, Campania

Clinging to a hillside along the Amalfi coast, this tiny fishing village is best known for spectacular sunsets and the nearby Grotta dello Smeraldo sea cave where the interior shimmers emerald green. 

 

 

A post shared by Travel Photography (@pocket_world) on Apr 27, 2017 at 12:12am PDT

Fiumefreddo, Calabria

Its name translates as the not-very-appealing 'cold river' - because the river's water comes from natural springs set into rocks - but there are plenty of good reasons to visit Fiumefreddo. Travel around the different fractions to try out the local delicacies (not to mention the wine), and don't miss the palaces, churches, and towers. 

 

A post shared by Valeted (@valeted5) on May 1, 2017 at 7:26am PDT

Gressan, Valle d’Aosta 

Tiny Gressan isn't just known for its beauty, but also for two unusual Italian sports which are still played in this area: Palet, which is similar to boules or petanque, and Rebatta, in which players compete to throw a ball as far as possible by hitting it with a bat.

 

Un post condiviso da Christian Betti (@chris_betti47) in data: 22 Apr 2017 alle ore 11:54 PDT

La Maddalena, Sardinia

La Maddalena's history has been far from calm: In 1793, the island fought to defend itself against the French army and its young commander, Napoleon, and during the Second World War, dictator Benito Mussolini was held prisoner here. Today however, it's a peaceful and relaxing place to enjoy the summer season, renowned for its sandy beaches and ancient fortresses.

Montecassiano, Le Marche

Surrounded by medieval walls, Montecassiano is also an'Orange Fla' village, a recognition of excellence from the Italian Touring Club, based on the historical heritage and the conservation of the cultural sites. Various medieval festivals are held here, the largest in the second week of June, but all year round you can enjoy the green landscape and historic buildings.

 

Un post condiviso da Montecassiano Turismo (@montecassianoturismo) in data: 25 Mar 2017 alle ore 06:03 PDT

Montegridolfo, Emilia-Romagna

First built as a medieval fortress, Montegrifoldo has been the site of dozens of battles and was part of the Gothic Line, the Germans' last major line of defence as the Allies approached to liberate Italy - today, a museum tells the story of the war period. It's one of the best preserved villages in the country, the red hues of the bricks contrasting with the greenery all around.

 

Un post condiviso da ♀♦️Federica♦♏️ (@nuvolaveloce) in data: 23 Apr 2017 alle ore 11:15 PDT

Orta San Giulio, Piedmont

Less chaotic than the nearby Lago Maggiore, San Giulio is an enchanting village set on an island, barely touched by tourists. The nearby Sacro Monte or Holy Hill, a site of pilgrimage made up of nine religious buildings, has earned a place on Unesco's World Heritage list. Orta San Giulio has long been a favourite of writers and was a popular stop on the Grand Tour thanks to the unspoilt beauty of its streets.

 

A post shared by ivankacarov (@ivankacarov1413) on May 1, 2017 at 12:50pm PDT

Otranto, Puglia

At the the most easterly point on the Italian mainland, you'll find Otranto. In Roman times it was a bustling city but these days it makes for a peaceful seaside break. The highlights are the lighthouse, the castle, and the cathedral - home to a stunning mosaic floor, and an eerie collection of the bones of martyrs killed in a 15th-century Turkish massacre.

 

A post shared by GiuGiu (@giusy_rolli) on May 1, 2017 at 12:47pm PDT

Panicale, Umbria

Inhabited since 2000BC, this Umbrian hamlet overlooks Lake Trasimeno, the fourth biggest in Italy. You can still see the walls built to protect it from attacks from the Vatican State, Florence, Rome, and nearby Perugia.

 

Un post condiviso da Umbria Tourism (@umbriatourism) in data: 21 Mar 2017 alle ore 01:54 PDT

Rocca San Giovanni, Abruzzo

There are more ancient walls, churches, and towers to be found in hillside town Rocca San Giovanni - but the main attraction are the views across the Adriatic Sea. 

 

Un post condiviso da B&B Al Primo Piano (@al_primopiano) in data: 19 Apr 2017 alle ore 07:52 PDT

Suvereto, Tuscany

Between Florence and Livorno, tucked away in the Tuscan hills is Suvereto, an art- and history-rich town set in the green valley of the River Cornia. Enter through its medieval walls and wander the atmospheric streets, or explore the surrounding olive groves and vineyards.

 

Un post condiviso da Thomas Boom (@tomprato) in data: 1 Mag 2017 alle ore 09:47 PDT

Tellaro, Liguria

Perched on a cliff, Tellaro is a beautiful fishing village along the Gulf of Poets and home to one rather strange legend: local folklore states that the village was saved by a giant octopus that saved residents from a pirate attack by climbing the church tower to ring the bells. We can neither confirm nor deny the tale, but if true, the giant octopus did us all a favour - Tellaro is a maze of beautiful streets which are worth wandering through.

 

A post shared by dalila (@_dali_) on May 1, 2017 at 2:18pm PDT

Vastogirardi, Molise

Home to just 690 people, Vastogirardi has been home to shepherds and farmers for centuries and centuries. Remote and peaceful, it's a perfect rural escape and you can see the remains of walls and ancient religious structures.

 

Un post condiviso da Viaggio con la Fotografia (@ilaria_fenato) in data: 4 Feb 2017 alle ore 15:18 PST

Venzone, Friuli Venezia Giulia

Venzone, considered a 'national monument' since 1965, was voted the overall most beautiful village for 2017. It's known for the local lavender, annual pumpkin festival, and a creepy display of mummies, but mostly for its incredible recovery following a deadly earthquake: the local cathedral was destroyed by the tremors, but rebuilt painstakingly with every stone returned to its original place.

 

Un post condiviso da Michele (@michaelmancini72) in data: 25 Apr 2017 alle ore 11:29 PDT

Zavattarello, Lombardy

Just a 70km drive from Milan, Zavattarello is surrounded by nature, mountains, and woods. The picture below shows the village fort, a formidable architectural complex which was able to resist several sieges and is studied by military architects today.

 

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