Friday, October 31, 2025 (from 6:00 p.m. onwards), the city center will be decorated with a theme featuring many shows, followed by an “Escape Room” with the first open-air “horror museum.”
Can you imagine if Leonardo Da Vinci could have seen a “horror” version of “The Mona Lisa” or “Lady with an Ermine” in person? If you want to satisfy your curiosity, all you have to do is come to Castelfiorentino, which on Friday, October 31, will be transformed into CastelloFobia, with the first open-air “horror museum.” There will be twenty-five “Escape Room” stations that, starting at 9:00 p.m., will surprise visitors with nightmarish characters inspired by real paintings, along a route that can be followed using a map available at shops in the city center and the event’s “fear shop” (via Bovio).
Organized by Trivia Aps with the patronage of the Municipality, CastelloFobia confirms its dual format again this year—afternoon and evening—to invite all citizens (from children to adults) to participate in this festival, which has become very popular in recent years.
Starting in the afternoon (from 6:00 p.m.), children can have fun visiting shops displaying the “Castellofobia” logo, asking the fateful question: “Trick or treat?”, and collecting sweets from the shopkeeper. At the same time, the “face painting” station will open its doors, and the center will come alive with “spooky storytellers” and ‘horror’ music taken from some famous films. Following this, from 7:30 p.m., the “street food” section in Piazza Gramsci will open, and some of the center’s businesses will be actively involved, offering refreshments and aperitifs outdoors.
For the “Escape Room,” however, you will have to wait until 9:00 p.m., when participants can venture through the streets of the historic center at their own risk and try to discover the mysterious phrase hidden in the “horror”-themed works of art, thus participating in the final drawing for numerous prizes. But that’s not all: among the new features of this edition is the opportunity for everyone – upon registration – to try being a “Castellofobico for a Night”, entering the course and scaring passersby. The best costume—selected by a special jury (in secret)—will win a fantastic prize at the end of the evening (registration for the competition by October 29 via email to triviaaps@gmail.com, confirmation by the organization required).
“CastelloFobia,” observes Franco Spina, Councilor for Culture, “has been one of the most popular events among young people in Castelfiorentino for several years now, especially children, thanks to the creativity and inexhaustible energy of the Trivia team coordinated by Michele Cucchiara and Ilaria Monzitta. But this year they have really outdone themselves: through new synergies and their usual enthusiasm, they have combined fear, magic, and childhood revival, transforming Castello Alto into an enchanted and disturbing place for young and old alike, with enchanting details and winning ideas, such as the opportunity offered to anyone who wants to become ‘Castellofobico for a Night’. It is this sense of community that we love so much, for a Castelfiorentino that is lived and participated in.
CastelloFobia is organized by Trivia Aps (sponsored by the Municipality of Castelfiorentino) in collaboration with the CCN association “Tre Piazze,” Prociv Arci, School of Music, AVIS, Cambio Cultural Center, Auser, Cetra, and Polisportiva I’ Giglio.
Information: 346.6160478; www.castellofobia.it and on the dedicated social media pages.
