Borghi

Borghi (singular: borgo) are Italy's medieval hamlets, typically hilltop or fortified, catalogued by the I Borghi più Belli d'Italia association (founded 2001) which lists about 360 of them. They differ from generic villages (paese) by their preserved architecture and historical density. Concentration zones include Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, Basilicata (Matera, UNESCO listed), and Puglia (Locorotondo, Cisternino). For travelers, the borgo gave rise to a distinctive hotel format called albergo diffuso (scattered hotel), invented by Giancarlo Dall'Ara in the 1980s: rooms are spread across multiple houses in the village with a single front desk. Borgo Egnazia, Sextantio, Borgo San Felice, and Castello di Reschio are flagship examples.