The Lazio village known as “The Pearl of the Castelli” could be elected Borgo dei Borghi 2026: it is aiming for 1st place out of 20 (here’s how to vote for it and who else is in the running)

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Il Borgo dei Borghi, the Rai 3 television challenge that celebrates the hidden gems of our country, is back. Now in its thirteenth edition, the competition continues to promote small towns rich in history, art, and traditions, bringing to light places that are often far from the mass tourist circuits.

The village representing Lazio in this year’s challenge for the title of “Borgo dei Borghi 2026” is Nemi, the pearl of the Castelli Romani.

Here is everything you need to know to participate and vote in this 2026 edition.

The public plays a central role in deciding the winner. The window for expressing your preferences is open from 7:00 p.m. on March 1 until 11:59 p.m. on March 22, 2026, on the website www.rai.it/borgodeiborghi by logging in with your Rai account. The final result will not depend solely on the web. The ranking will be the result of a combination of popular vote and technical judgment:

• Web vote (85%): The greatest weight is given to preferences collected online.
• Expert Jury (15%): Three prominent figures will each award a 5% bonus to a village of their choice. To ensure maximum impartiality, the jurors must not have any institutional or honorary ties to the territories in the competition.

The wait will end on Sunday, April 5, 2026, when the name of the “Borgo dei Borghi 2026” will be revealed during a special prime-time episode of Kilimangiaro on Rai 3.

🍓 Nemi: Between Myth, Diana’s Mirrors, and Wild Strawberries

LPLT, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Known throughout the world for its wild strawberries, Nemi is not only a gourmet destination but also a site of inestimable historical and naturalistic value. Lake Nemi, formerly called Speculum Dianae (Mirror of Diana), was a sacred place dedicated to the goddess of hunting. Its waters held the gigantic Ships of Caligula, recovered in the 1930s.

Characterized by narrow alleys, artisan shops, and flower-filled balconies, the historic center culminates in the imposing Palazzo Ruspoli and its cylindrical tower that dominates the entire valley.

Did you know? Nemi holds the Italian Touring Club’s Orange Flag, an award that recognizes excellence in hospitality and the restoration of historical heritage.

All the villages in the competition

Northern Italy: Arenzano , Baselga di Pinè, Battaglia Terme, Castellaro Lagusello, Châtillon, Spilimbergo, Villar San Costanzo

Central Italy: Canossa , Cingoli, Lucignano, Nemi, Passignano sul Trasimeno.

Southern Italy and Islands: Guardialfiera , Margherita di Savoia, Realmonte, San Fele, San Nicola Arcella, Sadali, Villalago, Zungoli.