Morro d’Alba Nighttime Installations

Exploring the village at night is a fascinating experience, recommended in every season but particularly enchanting in summer, when the heat from the coast and the inland areas drives people to seek refuge on the hill, where it is more breezy—a tradition dating back to the 1500s, followed by noble families.

The suggested itinerary begins in the center at Tarsetti Square, where the Stele with a graffito by Maestro Enzo Cucchi is located. Here, the installation called “The Sign” was conceived and created to highlight the work of the father of the Transavanguardia movement, a native of Morro d’Alba. Turning your gaze toward the castle, the village entrance arch is illuminated with different colors depending on the event or the season, a customization that always offers a fresh visual experience.

As you cross the arch, you’ll notice Barcaroli Square deep within the fortress, featuring another light installation called “The Symbol”, which illuminates a land art work that tells the story of the local territory. This piece was created during a workshop with the Poliarte Academy during the first edition of the Green Loop Festival. Just past the village entrance arch, we suggest entering the La Scarpa walkway.

The Bacio Monument invites visitors to recognize this spot as one of the most romantic locations in the Marche region. The monument’s side wall features numerous doors or windows, which are access points for local residents who share this extraordinary architectural jewel with tourists. These openings, called “finestroni,” allow views of the Marche countryside. Along the walkway, you will encounter two towers offering panoramic views. Federico I Tower (Il Barbarossa) faces west, while Teodorico Tower, often used in summer for concerts, weddings, and theatrical performances, faces east, offering a view of the coast where the moonlight reflects on the sea.

Continuing, another spectacular viewpoint is the terrace in front of the restaurant, a gap in the walkway roof caused by post-WWII demolition. The absence of the roof creates a breathtaking panorama, both day and night, where you can see the coast near Falconara and Ancona and the lights of surrounding villages on the hilltops. In the warmer months, it is not unusual to catch the scent of sea breeze from the coast, which influences the local wine—whether Verdicchio, particularly mineral in this eastern production area, or Lacrima di Morro d’Alba, with its unmistakable bouquet of roses and violets.

Along the La Scarpa walkway, you will find the entrance to the Sotterranei – Museo Utensilia, housing the photographic works of Maestro Mario Giacomelli along with a curated collection of tools from the sharecropping culture. Another entrance not to miss is the enoteca, where wine lovers can taste and purchase local wines, often paired with regional products.

Further along the walkway, a reddish light on the pavement marks “Hellish Walk”, a luminous installation inspired by Dante, recreating the thrill of walking among flames—a unique monument in Europe. Exiting the walkway brings you to Romagnoli Square, opposite the entrance, completing in just 300 meters a captivating journey that blends history and landscape for a truly immersive experience.

If visiting Morro d’Alba during an event, don’t miss the view of the castle from Piazzale Bersaglieri to admire “Green Heart”, a videomapping projected on the castle facade that offers a spectacular and original storytelling of the village. The installation is visible from kilometers away, and at Christmas, it is customized with lights celebrating the magic of the season.

Amid light magic, intoxicating glasses, and breathtaking landscapes, a nighttime visit to Morro d’Alba is an unforgettable experience.

Text by Alessandra Boldreghini