As families plan their travels to Italy, a new children's book offers a unique way to explore a hidden medieval village beyond the well-trodden paths of Rome, Florence, and Venice. Giulio Gargiullo's illustrated book, "Simonetta, Ruggero and the Cherry Forest of Celleno," combines a fictional adventure with the real Italian village of Celleno, a hilltop destination in Lazio, about 90 minutes from Rome. The story begins as a fairy tale but ends with a delightful surprise for young readers: Celleno is real, and families can visit the places that inspired the story.
The final pages of the book include a QR code that takes readers from the illustrated world to aerial drone footage of the actual village, allowing children to see Celleno's castle, landscape, and historic quarter before discovering them in person. This innovative approach turns sightseeing into part of the story, as children first explore the village through the characters Simonetta and Ruggero, then realize that the castle, medieval streets, and countryside they have been reading about actually exist.
Celleno, located in northern Lazio in the province of Viterbo, offers an off-the-beaten-path trip from Rome for families interested in medieval villages, nature, and lesser-known places in Italy. Its abandoned historic quarter, known as "Il Borgo Fantasma" (the Ghost Village of Celleno), was previously included by The Telegraph among 25 Italian ghost towns and places described as frozen in time.
Much of what children encounter in the story is inspired by the real history and landscape of Celleno. The Orsini Castle still overlooks the village, and before the Orsini family took ownership, Celleno belonged to the Gatti, a noble family based in nearby Viterbo that controlled the town for more than a century. Simonetta, the story's young heroine, is loosely inspired by a woman from the same family line. The book has received the official patronage of the Municipality of Celleno.
"I wanted children to enter Celleno through imagination and then discover that the place they have been dreaming about actually exists," Gargiullo 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." Gargiullo was named an honorary citizen of Celleno in 2024 in recognition of his efforts to promote the village internationally.
The connection between book and destination is also educational. The final pages introduce "Little Guardians of Nature," encouraging children to take simple actions such as 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 gives parents a way to introduce children to a destination before arriving in Italy—or inspire a future visit after reading the story.
For parents looking for a children's book about Italy for a family trip, "Simonetta, Ruggero and the Cherry Forest of Celleno" is available worldwide on Amazon in English and Italian editions, in print and Kindle formats.
Celleno is a medieval hill town in Lazio, around 90 minutes by car from Rome, surrounded by the countryside of Tuscia and within easy reach of Viterbo and Orvieto. Its atmospheric abandoned historic quarter, known as the Ghost Village, offers travelers an alternative to Italy's best-known tourist destinations. The area's history stretches far beyond the Middle Ages, with archaeological evidence pointing to Etruscan settlement from around the 7th century BC, when the area lay between the Etruscan centers of Volsinii (modern-day Orvieto) and Ferento. Rome took control of the territory in the 3rd century BC.
This innovative book not only entertains but also encourages families to explore a lesser-known part of Italy, fostering a deeper appreciation for its hidden gems and cultural heritage.
