Mural Towns of Italy
Latest page update: 28 January 2025
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By Dion Protani
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The mural towns of Italy detailed here are something of a modern phenomenon in the country. In most cases, they're little villages off the beaten path that have created a new way of attracting visitors.
Each of the towns and villages below are open-air galleries where the very houses and other public buildings have been transformed by the murals on their walls. The paintings themselves are known as murales, a Spanish word that's found its way into Italian to represent this particular art form. A particular hotbed of mural towns is Basilicata with the two nearby villages of Sant'Angelo Le Fratte and Satriano di Lucania. |
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Dozza
Dozza, a charming medieval village in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, is nestled in the hills near Bologna.
Known for its artistic flair, Dozza is famous for its Biennale del Muro Dipinto, a festival where artists paint vibrant murals on the village’s walls, transforming it into an open-air gallery.
The town’s historic centre features cobblestone streets, colourful facades, and the impressive Rocca Sforzesca, a 13th-century fortress that now houses a museum and enoteca showcasing local wines.
Known for its artistic flair, Dozza is famous for its Biennale del Muro Dipinto, a festival where artists paint vibrant murals on the village’s walls, transforming it into an open-air gallery.
The town’s historic centre features cobblestone streets, colourful facades, and the impressive Rocca Sforzesca, a 13th-century fortress that now houses a museum and enoteca showcasing local wines.
Sant'Angelo Le Fratte
Sant’Angelo Le Fratte, a picturesque village in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, is nestled in the verdant hills of the Potenza province.
Known as the "Village of Murals," it boasts vibrant artwork adorning its walls, depicting scenes of local life and history.
The town’s historic centre features narrow cobblestone streets, charming squares, and the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, showcasing beautiful religious art. Sant’Angelo Le Fratte has a deep-rooted agricultural tradition, producing fine wines and olive oil.
Known as the "Village of Murals," it boasts vibrant artwork adorning its walls, depicting scenes of local life and history.
The town’s historic centre features narrow cobblestone streets, charming squares, and the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, showcasing beautiful religious art. Sant’Angelo Le Fratte has a deep-rooted agricultural tradition, producing fine wines and olive oil.
Valogno
Valogno is a small, enchanting village in the Campania region of southern Italy, located near the city of Sessa Aurunca.
Nestled amidst rolling hills, this quiet hamlet is renowned for its vibrant murals, which adorn the walls of its traditional stone houses.
Created by local and international artists, these murals transform Valogno into an open-air art gallery, depicting scenes of rural life, folklore, and cultural heritage.
Nestled amidst rolling hills, this quiet hamlet is renowned for its vibrant murals, which adorn the walls of its traditional stone houses.
Created by local and international artists, these murals transform Valogno into an open-air art gallery, depicting scenes of rural life, folklore, and cultural heritage.
San Sperate
San Sperate is a vibrant village in southern Sardinia, located near Cagliari. Renowned as an "open-air museum," it is celebrated for its colorful murals that adorn the walls of homes and public spaces.
These murals, created by local and international artists, depict scenes of Sardinian culture, traditions, and history, transforming the village into a living canvas.
San Sperate’s artistic identity began in the 1960s, inspired by sculptor Pinuccio Sciola, who also introduced his unique "sound stones" sculptures.
These murals, created by local and international artists, depict scenes of Sardinian culture, traditions, and history, transforming the village into a living canvas.
San Sperate’s artistic identity began in the 1960s, inspired by sculptor Pinuccio Sciola, who also introduced his unique "sound stones" sculptures.
Satriano di Lucania
Satriano di Lucania is a quaint town located in the region of Basilicata, southern Italy, nestled in the Apennine mountains.
It is part of the province of Potenza, surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills. The town is known for its historical and cultural heritage, with several well-preserved stone houses, narrow streets, and charming squares.
The Church of San Michele, dating back to the 13th century, is a key historical landmark. Satriano di Lucania has roots dating back to ancient times, with evidence of Roman and medieval settlements.
It is part of the province of Potenza, surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills. The town is known for its historical and cultural heritage, with several well-preserved stone houses, narrow streets, and charming squares.
The Church of San Michele, dating back to the 13th century, is a key historical landmark. Satriano di Lucania has roots dating back to ancient times, with evidence of Roman and medieval settlements.
Usseaux
Usseaux is a charming village located in the Susa Valley, Piedmont, in the western Alps of Italy, near the French border. Known as the "mural village," Usseaux is famous for its colourful murals that adorn the walls of homes and buildings throughout the town.
These murals depict scenes of local traditions, historical events, and Alpine life, adding a unique artistic touch to the village’s rustic character.
These murals depict scenes of local traditions, historical events, and Alpine life, adding a unique artistic touch to the village’s rustic character.
Cibiana di Cadore
Cibiana di Cadore is a picturesque village located in the Veneto region of northern Italy, nestled in the Dolomite Mountains.
Cibiana is famous for its stunning collection of over 50 murals painted on the walls of its buildings, depicting scenes of local history, folklore, and traditions.
The murals, created by various artists, began in the 1980s and have turned the village into an open-air gallery, attracting visitors from around the world.
Cibiana is famous for its stunning collection of over 50 murals painted on the walls of its buildings, depicting scenes of local history, folklore, and traditions.
The murals, created by various artists, began in the 1980s and have turned the village into an open-air gallery, attracting visitors from around the world.
Diamante
Diamante is a scenic town located on the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria, in southern Italy.
The town's murals, which began in the 1980s, depict themes from local history, culture, and folklore. Diamante is also known for its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, making it a popular summer destination.
The town's murals, which began in the 1980s, depict themes from local history, culture, and folklore. Diamante is also known for its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, making it a popular summer destination.
Orgosolo
Orgosolo is a small town located in the Barbagia region of central Sardinia, renowned for its vibrant murals that adorn many of its buildings. Historically, Orgosolo has been a center of resistance, and its murals reflect the region’s rebellious spirit and desire for cultural preservation.
Borgo San Giuliano
Borgo San Giuliano is a charming neighborhood located in the historic center of Rimini, near the city's famous harbour. Known for its colorful murals, the area features vibrant street art that adorns the walls of traditional houses, reflecting themes of local history, culture, and the sea.
Close by, the historic Rimini landmark, the Tiberius Bridge, offers further insight into the city’s ancient Roman heritage.
Close by, the historic Rimini landmark, the Tiberius Bridge, offers further insight into the city’s ancient Roman heritage.
Civitacampomarano
Civitacampomarano is a picturesque hilltop town located in the Molise region of southern Italy. Known for its unique and vibrant murals, the town has transformed its medieval streets into an open-air art gallery. The murals, which began appearing in the early 2000s, cover the town’s buildings and depict a wide range of themes, from local history to modern social issues.