Il Club

Preface by the President of the Club

In March 2001 the Club of "THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN ITALY" was founded through the incentive of the Tourism Council of the ANCI (National Association of Italian Municipalities).

This project arose from the need to promote the great heritage of History, Art, Culture, Environment and Traditions found in small Italian towns which are, for the most part, cut off from the flow of visitors and tourists.

There are in fact hundreds of small villages in Italy that risk depopulation and a consequent decline caused by a situation of marginalization as regards the economic interests that gravitate toward tourism and commercial trends.

Thus it was decided to establish a Product Club that brings together the needs of those wise administrators who are most sensitive to the protection and promotion of the Village and who believe in and will participate actively in such an important and challenging association.

Admission to the Club requires the meeting of a number of prerequisites, both structural, such as the architectonic harmony of the urban fabric and the quality of the public and private building heritage, and general, regarding the quality of life in the village in terms of activities and services for the people.

It is also necessary to be committed to continuously improving these prerequisites, as admission to the Club does not guarantee being allowed to stay in the Club, if the village does not show its commitment to increasing its qualities through concrete actions and practices.

Thus it is the goal of our Club, which was not created merely as an integrated tourist promotional operation, to guarantee - through protection, restoration, promotion and utilization - the preservation of a great heritage of monuments and memories that would otherwise be irretrievably lost.

The "smaller" Italy, that which is more hidden and less known, best represents the unfolding of the millenary history that has left its indelible marks especially in these places cut off from development and modernization at all costs.

We are not offering heavens on earth, but we do want that the increasing numbers of people who return to live in these small historic villages and the visitors who are interested in learning about them may find the atmosphere, the fragrances and flavors that make typical local customs, products and traditions a way of life that is worth "savoring" with all five senses.

This website offers you a small taste, which you can investigate further with the GUIDE and thoroughly enjoy with a "TOUR".

Fiorello Primi
Presidente Club dei Borghi più belli d'Italia