If you think an envelope is only good for holding a utility bill, Miasino is about to change your mind.
From July 21 to 26, 2026, the village hosts the Borgo delle Buste Dipinte e delle Lettere, the debut edition of a special project by the Festival delle Lettere: a week in which the streets of the village transform into a living trail of artworks, readings, children’s workshops and quiet corners where you can write a letter, or simply stand still for a moment.
It’s free, it’s outdoors, it’s perfect for a family half-day. And yes, it is quite literally on our doorstep.
What is the Borgo delle Buste Dipinte e delle Lettere?
The Borgo delle Buste Dipinte e delle Lettere is a diffuse cultural event that turns Miasino into an artistic and emotional trail built around letter writing and children’s drawing. Over 800 children from schools in Pettenasco, Orta San Giulio, Alzo, Vercelli, Borgomanero and Novara painted and decorated envelopes, turning them into small works of art. Those works now live across the village — along the streets, in shop windows, in gardens. Every corner has something to say.
The project is organised by the Festival delle Lettere, celebrating its XX edition, in collaboration with the Pro Loco di Miasino and the Municipality of Miasino, under the patronage of the Distretto Turistico dei Laghi, Monti e Valli dell’Ossola and Casa Rodari.
The Trail: Eight Stops to Follow on Foot (map included)
This event is meant to be experienced walking, map in hand, available at the entrance to Villa Nigra. The eight stops are designed to be followed without rushing, with children in tow, between a break at the bar and a session at the workshop.
1. Village Entrance — via Martelli: the starting point, where the village begins to look like itself — only better.
2. Villa Nigra Entrance — pick up your map here and get your bearings at the heart of the event.
3. La Fermata delle Parole at Rial Bar — via Martelli 2: a place to leave a dedication, read a few lines, or simply sit and watch the world not scroll past.
4. Villa delle Storie / Villa Nigra — the beating heart of the event, with three exhibitions to visit (see dedicated section below).
5. Bar delle Lettere at Mea Cafè — Piazza Beltrami: where you can write a real letter, on real paper. No app. No send button. Just a pen.
6. Ufficio delle Emozioni — via Sappa Marietti 6: Maddalena Berliat’s permanent workshop where you personalise your own paper and envelope. Irresistible for children, unexpectedly irresistible for adults who thought they had outgrown craft tables.
7. Vicolo delle Buste Dipinte — via Cominazzini: the open-air gallery displaying the children’s works. The moment you realise that 800 kids armed with pencils and paintbrushes are an actual force of nature.
8. Giardino dei Semplici — via Umberto I: the final stop, among the plants, to read or write surrounded by greenery and the specific kind of silence that only old Italian gardens know how to keep.
Villa Nigra: the Heart of the Event
Villa Nigra is the main venue of the Borgo delle Buste Dipinte and hosts three separate exhibitions, all open during the event’s opening hours.
The Casa delle Lettere is the historical archive of the Festival delle Lettere, holding letters and correspondence collected across twenty years of the festival. Worth the trip on its own.
The Buste Dipinte Exhibition displays the works of the 800 children involved in the project: drawings, colours, tiny stories sealed inside a rectangle of paper.
The “Corrispondenza della Prima Guerra Mondiale” Exhibition presents original letters and postcards written by soldiers at the front and by refugees, from the archive of the Parish of San Zenone in Fossalta di Portogruaro (VE). A rare historical document, treated with the respect it deserves — which already says something, in an era when a ten-second story self-destructs before you’ve finished watching it.
Children’s Workshops: Dates, Times and How to Book
Three dedicated sessions for children aged 4 and above — to paint their own envelope, take it home and start a correspondence with anyone who still enjoys opening a paper letter:
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, July 22 | 5:00 PM |
| Thursday, July 23 | 5:00 PM |
| Friday, July 24 | 5:00 PM |
👉 Booking is required and can be done directly on bustedipinte.it, where you’ll also find the full programme available as a downloadable PDF.
Practical Information for Planning Your Visit
When: July 21–26, 2026 Opening hours: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM and 4:00–8:00 PM (evening openings when evening events are scheduled) Where: Miasino (NO) — reference point: Piazza Beltrami 5 Admission: free Info and contacts: segreteria@festivaldellelettere.it — tel. +39 347 5090610 Official website: bustedipinte.it
By car, Miasino is easily reachable from Milan and from Turin in about an hour and a half. The Orta–Miasino train stop is on the Novara–Domodossola line — for those who prefer to arrive without the parking anxiety, a thoroughly recommended option. 👉 How to reach us
Why Pair It with a Stay at Seme di Faggio
Miasino is not just a day trip destination: it’s a village that deserves to be lived slowly — in the early morning when the streets are still quiet, and in the evening when the lights of Villa Nigra come on.
We’re right here, in this same courtyard of stone and wood, the starting point for discovering Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, the Mottarone and all the villages that surround us — Orta San Giulio, Ameno, Legro. The Borgo delle Buste Dipinte is, quite literally, outside our front door. Which makes it very hard to find a convincing excuse not to come.
👉 Check availability and book your stay — July is filling up, and the painted envelopes are waiting.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions about the Borgo delle Buste Dipinte in Miasino
What is the Borgo delle Buste Dipinte e delle Lettere? It is a diffuse cultural event taking place in Miasino from July 21 to 26, 2026, organised by the Festival delle Lettere. The village transforms into an artistic trail across eight stops, featuring exhibitions, children’s workshops and installations made from the painted envelopes of over 800 local schoolchildren.
Is the Borgo delle Buste Dipinte suitable for young children? Yes. The envelope-painting workshops are open to children aged 4 and above, with three sessions available (July 22, 23 and 24 at 5:00 PM). The village trail is entirely on foot and manageable for the smallest visitors. Booking for the workshops is required via bustedipinte.it.
How much does it cost to visit the Borgo delle Buste Dipinte? Entry to the event and the village trail is free. The children’s workshops may involve a participation fee: please check at the time of booking on the official website.
Where is Villa Nigra in Miasino? Villa Nigra is the central venue of the event, located in the heart of Miasino. It is reachable on foot from the village car park and represents the second stop on the trail, where visitors also collect their map of the eight stages.
How do I book a stay near the Borgo delle Buste Dipinte? Seme di Faggio Guest House is located in Miasino, just steps from the event trail. You can check availability and book directly on our website.
Last updated July 1, 2026. For the latest event information, visit the official website bustedipinte.it.
