The Castles, villas and abbeys of DIY, the Fondo Ambiente Italiano are immersed in a scary but fun atmosphere to welcome the bravest among mazes and terrifying places, with guided tours and creative workshops to live with the whole family!
A unique opportunity to discover the wonderful locations proposed. From 25 October to 5 November 2023 many FAI assets offer evening openings and trick-or-treating themed games. The Anglo-Saxon tradition of Halloween has now joined the Catholic and sacred All Saints. Especially for children it is an opportunity to party and between castles and historic houses will find the perfect atmosphere to invent fantastic stories. Re-enactments and visits even at night will allow you to know the lesser known side of incredible buildings, allowing even children to appreciate some of the jewels of Italian architecture and history made accessible to all by the FAI.
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Here are all the events not to be missed:
Halloween at Castello della Manta
The Manta Castle in the province of Cuneo, was the home of Valerano, lord of the Marquisate of Saluzzo. Against the backdrop of the Cuneo Alps, its medieval interior is truly evocative and preserves wonderful evidence of 15th century painting. An ideal location to spend Halloween participating in three themed events:
Without fear… at the Castle
The Manta Castle is perfect for waiting for Halloween in the company of knights, ladies and stories of the past that come to life in the woods and gardens, in a path suitable for children aged 5 to 10 years.
When: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October 2023
Hours: 14.30 – 15.45 – 16.30
Between saints and heroes
The Manta Castle offers, then, a special journey to discover the frescoes of the apse of the Castellan Church and the Funeral Chapel of Michele Antonio, among mythical and historical figures from epic enterprises.
When: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October – Wednesday 1 November 2023
Hours: 10.15 – 10.45 – 11.15 – 11.45 – 12.15 – 14.15 – 15.45 – 15.15 – 15.45 – 16.15 – 16.45.
Night at the Castle
The Manta Castle opens its doors even during the night of Halloween for a special night visit by the most daring. The route starts with the discovery of the frescoes of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and then continue the walk through the ancient walls and streets of the village to the Church of Santa Maria del Castello.
When: Tuesday 31 October 2023
Hours: 19.30 – 20.00 / 21.15 – 21.45
Halloween at Masino Castle and Park
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The Castle of Masino is located within the park of the same name, in the province of Turin; it dates back to the nineteenth century and was the ancient residence of the Counts Valperga, descendants of Arduino, the first king of Italy. With its interior and panoramic views, it turns out to be an exceptional place to celebrate Halloween!
Pumpkin hunting in the Castle
Children will love what is organized inside the Castle: a special treasure hunt dedicated to the pumpkin, symbol par excellence of Halloween!
When: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October 2023
Hours: 10.30 – 14.00 – 15.30
Visits in the dark
How was life inside the Castle of Masino before the advent of electricity? On Halloween night you can discover it with a terrifying visit in the dark, equipped only with torches and candles.
When: Tuesday 31 October 2023
Hours: 18.00 – 18.30 – 19.15 – 19.45 – 20.30 – 21.00.
Halloween at Villa Della Porta Bozzolo
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The Villa della Porta Bozzolo in Casalzuigno, Varese, was built in the sixteenth century as a country residence, and then became a noble residence in the eighteenth century. The frescoes inside tell the story of the noble family Della Porta and is still a highly suggestive location.
Night in the villa
With a special route planned at night, with the support of torches, you can admire corners never seen before the Castle, in an atmosphere as magical as mysterious. Finally, there will be a tasty aperitif.
When: Tuesday 31 October 2023
Hours: 18:00 – 19:00 – 20:00.
Without fear!
Villa Della Porta Bozzolo has also thought about the little ones, offering them an extraordinary game-visit in its internal rooms between explorations, mysteries to discover and clues to recognize. A special afternoon waiting for the Feast of All Saints.
When: Wednesday 1 November 2023
Hours: 14:30 – 16:30.
Halloween in Villa Panza
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Another perfect location to celebrate Halloween is Villa Panza, in Varese, which has in store for adults and children scary stories, mysterious works and extravagant characters. It all starts with stories, legends and anecdotes from the past, and ends with a creative workshop for children aged 4 to 8.
When: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October – Wednesday 1 November 2023
Hours: Saturday 28 October at 11:30 – 15:00 – 16:30 / Sunday 29 October and Monday 1 November at 10:30 – 11:30 – 15:00 – 16:30.
Halloween at the Torba Monastery
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The Torba Monastery in Gornate Olona, Varese, was founded as a military outpost of the Lombards, and then became a place of prayer for the nuns of a nearby monastery. Its typical medieval atmosphere has made it so famous that it has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Between history and legend
The last days of October are tinged with history and legend to tell the Monastery of Torba in a completely new, as well as evocative. In addition, participants can also dine in the restaurant at the end of the day.
When: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October – Wednesday 1 November 2023
Hours: 17.00 – 18.30 – 20.00.
Waiting for the Halloween night
To wait for Halloween night with the right spirit, the Torba Monastery has organized a game-visit dedicated to children aged 6 to 10 years to discover the exploits of the Lombard warriors and the events of the abbess Aliberga.
When: Sunday 29 and Tuesday 31 October 2023
Hours: 14.30 – 16.00.
Halloween in Palazzina Appiani
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Among the meadows and monuments of Sempione Park in Milan hides Palazzina Appiani, along with legendary dragons and mysterious mermaids. Through a visit-game designed for children between 6 and 10 years, you can discover stories and legends related to one of the most famous parks in Italy.
When: Wednesday 1 November 2023
Hours: from 15.00 to 16.30.
Halloween at Casa Macchi
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In the small village of Morazzone, in the province of Varese, there is Casa Macchi: abandoned suddenly, it still retains the scent of everyday life, from the coffee pot remained on the stove to the pipe still placed on the table.
Waiting for Halloween
For Halloween night you can make a magical evening visit in Casa Macchi, dedicated to adults, to discover the most secret corners of this abandoned place.
When: Tuesday 31 October 2023
Hours: from 18.30 until 20.00, with possible second shift from 20.00 until 21.30.
Trick hunt… or trick
For children, however, aged between 4 and 8 years, Casa Macchi offers a spectacular treasure hunt in search of sweets hidden in the most unthinkable corners of the house.
When: Wednesday 1 November 2023
Hours: at 15.00, with possibly second shift at 16.30.
Halloween at the Castle of Avio
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With a splendid view of the Val Lagarina, the Castle of Avio still preserves the secrets and mysteries of the noble Castelbarco family. A great location to spend the Halloween party in a scary weather just enough!
Special Halloween Treasure Hunt
The Castle of Avio is totally available to visitors for the whole week preceding the night of Halloween and for the days immediately following with an extraordinary game-path dedicated to children aged between 4 and 12 years.
When: from Wednesday 25 to Friday 27 October – from Monday 30 October to Sunday 5 November 2023
Hours: from 10.00 to 17.00, with recommended admission at 16.00.
A thrilling visit
Designed for the whole family, here is an adventure to be experienced inside the Castle of Avio with guided tours, theater performances and stories related to the history of the castle.
When: from Saturday 28 to Tuesday 31 October 2023
Hours: from Saturday 28 to Monday 31 October from 10.00 to 19.00 – Tuesday 31 October from 10.00 to 16.00.
Halloween at Villa dei Vescovi
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As in the past, Villa dei Vescovi in Torreglia, Padua, becomes the protagonist of the Halloween festival offering thrilling adventures dedicated to families, including animated visits for children, theater performances and mysterious stories.
When: from Saturday 28 to Tuesday 31 October 2023
Hours: from 17.30 to 21.00.
Halloween at Casa Carbone
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Also Casa Carbone in Lavagna, Genoa, is an ideal place to spend the Halloween night. Thanks to an accurate guided tour, you can discover the secrets that are hidden inside and children can participate in an exciting creative workshop.
When: Sunday 29 October 2023
Hours: 14.00 – 16.00.
Halloween in the Garden on Colle Infinito
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Anyone who knows the famous Colle dell’Infinito of Recanati, celebrated by the poet and writer Giacomo Leopardi; here, on the occasion of Halloween, The FAI provides the Garden inside to offer participants special visits and insights on the healing properties of the plants present.
When: Tuesday 31 October and Wednesday 1 November 2023
Hours: Tuesday, October 31 at 16.00 – Wednesday, November 1 at 11.00 – 12.00 – 15.30 – 16.00.
Halloween at the Abbey of Cerrate
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There are three days to spend at the Abbey of Cerrate in the province of Lecce, which on the occasion of Halloween, offers fantastic and unusual stories related to the history of Salento. There are also creative workshops for children and lunches based on local products.
When: Sunday 29 and Tuesday 31 October – Wednesday 1 November 2023
Hours: Sunday 29 October and Wednesday 1 November at 10.30 – 15.00 / Tuesday 31 October at 15.00.
Halloween at Saline Conti Vecchi
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A last appointment is scheduled at the Saline Conti Vecchi in Assemini, Cagliari: a special guided tour for children to discover all the mysteries related to Halloween night, with its myths and legends, first of all that of the Ghost of Salt.
When: Tuesday 31 October 2023
Hours: 10.00 – 11.00 – 15.00 – 16.00.
Copertina: fondoambiente