Discovering Belcastro — Castles, Aquinas, and Fairy Tales

Today, my family and I took a wonderful trip up to the beautiful town of Belcastro, in provincia di Catanzaro. We were absolutely charmed by how clean, well-organized, and welcoming it is. Perched high with incredible panoramic views (like the scenic overlook shown at the top of this post), it felt like stepping into another world.

Belcastro is a town of unique historical significance. It is an ancient borgo medievale (medieval village), home to a magnificent ancient castle, and was the traditional home place of the family of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Walking through the historic streets, you can feel the deep layers of history beneath your feet.

But there is also a modern, magical touch to the town. Belcastro is widely known as the Borgo delle Favole (the Village of Fairy Tales).

The Borgo delle Favole was an inspired idea that the mayor, Antonio Torchia, had together with the artist Matteo Lupia. They started this beautiful transformation with Alice nel Paese delle Meraviglie (Alice in Wonderland), painting not only the walls but also the pavement. Actually, the pavement wasn't painted—it was retiled, exactly like in Alice in Wonderland, like a black and white chess board. It is absolutely gorgeous! They began their work in the most run-down part of the medieval village, the Castellacci district.

This project brought incredible new life to the town, turning a neglected area into an amazing attraction. Following the success of Alice, they continued with other fairy tales like Pinocchio and Snow White, transforming the historic center into an illustrated book. Today, the medieval village is famous, attracting many tourists throughout the year. It is absolutely spotless—not a single piece of paper or litter in sight—making it a wonderful, magical experience for the whole family!

As you wander the lanes, you'll spot these beloved characters painted beautifully on the walls:

A beautiful collage of the fairy-tale murals around the village

It was a truly beautiful day out, and our family enjoyed every single moment of it. If you ever have the chance to visit this part of Italy, Belcastro is highly recommended!

The incredible street mural of the giant whale from Pinocchio in the village, set against the black and white chessboard tiling of Alice in Wonderland.