New Children's Book Turns a Hidden Italian Village into a Family Adventure

Families planning a trip to Italy often stick to the well-trodden path of Rome, Florence, and Venice. But a new children's book is inviting them to venture beyond the tourist crowds and discover a hidden medieval village in the Lazio region, just 90 minutes from Rome. "Simonetta, Ruggero and the Cherry Forest of Celleno," written by Giulio Gargiullo, blends fairy tale with reality, offering young readers an imaginative introduction to the hilltop village of Celleno.

The story follows the adventures of Simonetta and Ruggero in a cherry forest, but as the book unfolds, it reveals that the setting is not purely fictional. The final pages include a QR code that leads readers to aerial drone footage of the real Celleno, showing its castle, landscape, and historic quarter. This innovative approach turns sightseeing into a narrative experience, where children can explore the village through the characters and then see it come to life in actual footage.

Celleno, known for its abandoned historic quarter called "Il Borgo Fantasma" (the Ghost Village), offers a glimpse into Italy's medieval past. It was previously featured by The Telegraph among 25 Italian ghost towns, described as places frozen in time. The village's Orsini Castle overlooks the area, and its history includes the Gatti noble family, which controlled the town for over a century. The book's heroine, Simonetta, is loosely inspired by a woman from that lineage.

Gargiullo, who was named an honorary citizen of Celleno in 2024 for his promotional efforts, hopes the book will encourage families to step off the usual tourist route. "I wanted children to enter Celleno through imagination and then discover that the place they have been dreaming about actually exists," he said. "If a family reading the story decides to leave the usual tourist route for a day and discover the village together, the fairy tale has completed its journey."

The book extends beyond storytelling, incorporating educational elements. The final pages introduce "Little Guardians of Nature," encouraging children to take simple actions like leaving water for birds, caring for a plant, and picking up litter. This blend of children's literature, family travel, local history, nature, and digital technology provides parents with a unique tool to engage children with a destination before they arrive.

Celleno itself is a medieval town surrounded by the Tuscia countryside, within easy reach of Viterbo and Orvieto. Its history dates back to Etruscan settlements from the 7th century BC, and it later came under Roman control in the 3rd century BC. For families seeking an authentic, less-crowded Italian experience, Celleno offers an atmospheric alternative.

The book is available worldwide on Amazon in English and Italian editions, in print and Kindle formats. It has received the official patronage of the Municipality of Celleno, underscoring its significance in promoting the village. By merging a children's story with real-world exploration, Gargiullo has created a novel way for families to discover a hidden gem in Italy, making travel both educational and magical.