A walk in Belcastro, the Fairytale Village

If you dream of immersing yourself in a daydream fairy tale, follow us on this trip to Belcastro (Calabria), the medieval town in the province of Catanzaro that has become an open-air storybook. How did the idea of Belcastro "Fairytale Village" come about? Let's find out on a walk through the colourful alleys.

Famous for the remains of the Conti D'Aquino Castle, Belcastro has lent its enchanting views to a street art initiative dedicated to children, but not only...

Belcastro "Fairytale Village" welcomes us like an open book, all to be leafed through!

It takes little in Calabria to find yourself surrounded by the protagonists of the most famous fairy tales: a trip to the Catanzaro centre of Belcastro, "Fairytale Village", is enough to live a daydream. Walking through the alleys of this medieval village is like leafing through the pages of an illustrated book, captivating both young and old. That's why Belcastro is the ideal destination for the whole family!

The initiative to transform Belcastro into the ‘’Fairytale Village‘’ stems from the brushes of Matteo Lupia, the street artist who in a short time has turned the village into a fantasy setting, amidst bright colours and daring scenes recalling some of the most famous fairytales. An idea that, like other street art operations in the villages of Calabria, has allowed Belcastro to be reborn, becoming a ‘’child-proof‘’ tourist destination.

What to expect in Belcastro? Literally everything! Here it is possible to run into Alice chasing the White Rabbit on chequered floors; or, around the corner, to be catapulted into Toyland, where Pinocchio and Lucignolo are attracted like us by the colours of an enchanted world. Afraid of losing your way? Just follow the signs indicating ‘’above‘’, ‘’below‘’, ‘’left‘’ and ‘’right‘’, reserving a surprise at every corner: ‘’interactive‘’ spaces that allow you to have fun and play among the colours of the rainbow, as at the top of the painted staircase.

Not only fairy tales in Belcastro! Sea at a short distance, on the Gulf of Squillace, mountains at the back and medieval monuments also make a visit unforgettable for those who love history and traditions. Dominated by the remains of the Castle of the Counts of Aquino, Belcastro tells its oldest fairy tale on the trail of the noble family from which St. Thomas is descended.

The castle, in Norman style, stands out on the rocky spur that dominates the town. From above, the statue of St Thomas Aquinas watches over the village and its inhabitants, a reminder that the philosopher saint, among the Catholic ‘’Doctors of the Church‘’, was the seventh son of Landolfo, lord of Loreto and Belcastro. Although officially born in Roccasecca, the Latium county of Aquino, St. Thomas is disputed by Calabrian historians (including Barrio and Marafioti), who claim his birthplace right here, in Belcastro, in the dedicated chapel inside the castle.

The so-called ‘’Mastra Tower‘’ (11th-12th century), stands in defence of the other historical buildings: the Cathedral, Palazzo Poerio (or Cirillo), the bishop's palace and the numerous 17th- and 18th-century churches, such as those of the SS. Annunziata, the Pietà and the Chapel of S. Rocco. Belcastro, between the sea and the mountains, is halfway between the Sila Piccola (Sila National Park) and the Ionian coast overlooking the Gulf of Squillace, a unique position to enjoy both landscapes in all seasons of the year.