Today, more than 350 villages across Italy - from the snow-capped Alps to sun-drenched Sicily - are on the list.
What does a village have to do to be included?
In order to be listed among the Most Beautiful, a village must meet several criteria. It must have fewer than 15,000 inhabitants, its historic centre must be exceptionally well preserved, the village must haveartistic, cultural and historical significance, and it must meet strict criteria for environmental quality and hospitality.
Some of the pearls of 'I Borghi più belli d'Italia'
We have prepared a series of articles on some of the villages across the regions. So what can you look forward to?
Tuscany
Anghiari: A medieval town famous for a battle of 1440 and its picturesque streets.Pitigliano: A village carved into the tufa rock, nicknamed "Little Jerusalem" for its Jewish history.
Lazio
Civita di Bagnoregio: Nicknamed the "dying city", accessible only by footbridge, with breathtaking views
Castel Gandolfo: The summer residence of the popes overlooking Lake Albano.
Umbria
Spello: Famous for its flower festivals and Roman mosaics
Norcia: Hometown of St Benedict, famous for its gastronomy, especially its sausages and truffles.
Montefalco: City of wine and olive oil. narrow stone streets and spectacular views of the rolling Umbrian countryside.
Sicily
Savoca: The filming location of "The Godfather", with historic churches and catacombs.
Sambuca di Sicilia: Winner of the "Most Beautiful Village in Italy" competition in 2016, famous for selling houses for 1 euro.
Abruzzo
Santo Stefano di Sessanio: A village with stone houses and towers, popular with history buffs
Scanno: Photogenic village with traditional costumes and a beautiful lake.
Liguria
Apricale: Village with stone houses and narrow streets, often hosts art festivals
Vernazza: One of the five Cinque Terre villages, famous for its harbour and colourful houses.
Piedmont
Neive: Surrounded by vineyards, famous for its quality Barbaresco wine
Orta San Giulio: A romantic village on Lake Orta with a charming little island and ancient houses.
Trentino-Alto Adige
Rango: Alpine village with traditional wooden houses and Christmas markets
Mezzano: Known for its wooden art installations and mountain atmosphere.
Basilicata
A village that looks like it grew right out of the rocks. The surrounding mountains and adventure activities like the "Flight of the Angel" (zipline between the peaks) give it a special charm.
Apulia
Alberobello: Known for its typical white houses with conical roofs - trulli. The whole town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Why visit the "borghi"?
These small villages don't have such resounding names as the big and popular tourist towns. But know that here you can experience a truly authentic Italy - without the crowds of tourists, taste the local cuisine and traditional products, and learn about the crafts, festivals and customs that have been passed down for generations.
For an official list and map of all the villages, visit the I Borghi più belli d'Italia website.
