Ph. fcentur71/flickr
It is said that childhood ends when we stop believing in dreams. And you know, our wishes and expectations not infrequently arise from fantastic stories, from those fairy tales we grew up with and from which we learned that happy endings can also exist in reality. So, long live the magic. It would be nice to dive inside a book and experience fabulous adventures among castles, witches and stepmothers, kings and princesses, turquoise fairies and fire-breathing dragons… Imagination is vivid, and by engaging a little, all you have to do is close your eyes and open them again in the right place. Where? In Sant’Angelo di Roccalvecce, in the province of Viterbo. We are in the heart of Tuscia, less than two hours from Rome, totally immersed in a village that has the incredible. They call it the “Land of Fairy Tales”, and indeed there is no better appellation. You can tell from the first moment, when once you reach your destination you come across the colorful murals that fill the streets with a unique atmosphere.
Ph. Stefano Maria Core/flickr
Once upon a time… the street fairy tale project
Walking through Sant’Angelo di Roccalvecce you might suddenly end up in Wonderland and, surprised just like little Alice, stumble upon the Mad Hatter or the hasty White Rabbit. Beware of the Cheshire Cat’s smile; they say it is bewitching. All of a sudden, it is not out of the question that Pinocchio, Snow White and, perhaps still sleepy, even Sleeping Beauty will appear. This is not a figment of the imagination, but rather an idea that blossomed in 2016 from the ingenuity of Gianluca Chiovelli, a citizen of this Lazio hamlet and founder of Acas (Associazione Culturale Arte e Spettacolo – Arts and Entertainment Cultural Association). The purpose of the association was from the beginning to redevelop the village from an environmental but also cultural and social point of view, thus giving new dignity to the area. Decay was swept away with a wave of a magic wand, leaving room for creativity and that beauty capable of capturing the gaze of visitors of all ages.
Ph. Stefano Maria Core/flickr
Living in a fairy tale
The project “Sant’Angelo the Land of Fairy Tales” was officially launched in late 2017. The choice of this theme was not accidental: fairy tales, in fact, are a universal heritage, have an immediate language shared by adults and children, travel freely around the world and survive the passage of time. The artists involved, starting with a selection of tales proposed by Acas, reinterpreted their content by coloring the village buildings. What can be seen today is an open-air museum that has given a sparkling personality to this until a few years ago almost unknown destination. Numerous street artists have exploded their talents without neglecting any detail, even the letterboxes on the facades of the houses have become part of these wonderful murals. The art itinerary is also enriched by sculptures, mosaics and installations, all with a soul that mixes local traditions with the enchantment of myths and legends.
Ph. Stefano Maria Core/flickr
The “Trail of castles and fairy tales”
After visiting the village one can go further and discover how much the Tuscia valley has to offer. One of the most popular trails is the “Trail of Castles and Fairy Tales”, a 5.2-kilometer route that leads from Sant’Angelo di Roccalvecce to the ghost town of Celleno. We are talking about a scenic hiking trail that allows you to delve into the landscapes of the Viterbo area, into the mysteries and curiosities of history by crossing some branches that, heading to other municipalities in the area, allow you to reach archaeological sites with an ancient Etruscan flavor. In addition to this path, using Sant’Angelo as a base, a series of activities can be planned to deepen the knowledge of the area. During one’s stay, one can plan a stop in Viterbo, Civita di Bagnoregio or Lake Bolsena, or get as far as the towns of Pitigliano-known as “Little Jerusalem”-, medieval Sovana as well as picturesque Tuscania.
Celleno – Depositphotos
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