Garipalli's city escapes bring history to life through play and help visitors discover lesser-known neighbourhoods, steering clear of overtourism.
It has the thrill of an escape room, but played in the open air. There are the mysteries of historical figures who "interact" via chat. And there are the lesser-known corners of cities, to be discovered through a series of riddles and mysteries waiting to be solved. These are the ingredients of the city escape, a different way to visit historic city centres by focusing on less-frequented areas and immersing yourself in their stories as part of a group game suited to young people, couples and families. It is the brainchild of the startup Garipalli, founded in 2021 as a smart system for bringing young people closer to culture, engaging communities and small local realities in opposition to the logic of overtourism.
The curious name? It was born from the combination of Garibaldi and the Korean word "palli", meaning "fast". The aim? To make a city's history and its protagonists more appealing and immediate. How? Through storytelling and smartphone interaction, in a crescendo of clues and mysteries to unravel. Where? City centres serve as the backdrop, to be explored on foot by solving riddles scattered among small local businesses, lesser-known museums and hidden gems far from crowded tourist spots. A new tourism formula, in short, that blends play, culture and entertainment at the click of a button.
It was brought to life in 2021, after four years of work, research and planning, by four then-under-30s: Luca De Bellis, founder and CEO, Simone Radaelli, screenwriter and creative director, Simone Mazzenga, software developer, and Carlo Knol, creator and director of historical and logistical development. Over the years, other young talents have joined them. Founded in Bergamo, last September it was awarded the title of best innovative cultural startup as part of the InnovaCultura project by Regione Lombardia.
From Milan to Rome, from Naples to Venice. And then there's Cremona, Ravenna, Lucca, Bergamo, Brescia, Monza, Como and many more cities. More than 35 city escapes are available, which can also be given as gifts — a key to an adventure to share with friends, colleagues or family. Once you have chosen and purchased the experience, you download the QR code and start playing with no expiry date. Comfortable shoes, a curious spirit and a desire to explore the city through fresh eyes: that is all it takes to discover a wealth of cultural venues, addresses and information, learning new things and working as a team.
Medieval heroes, museums, crimes and mysterious number sequences. Among the latest discovery experiences bookable with Garipalli is Il furto degli astri gemelli at the Museo Bagatti Valsecchi in Milan, following a trail of clues scattered among Renaissance collections. Or Il sangue d'Enea, in Rome, where you venture through the alleyways of Trastevere amid hidden details and mysteries from the early twentieth century. Then there is Fibonacci: il mercante di numeri, in Pisa, where you explore the city by decoding sequences devised by the famous thirteenth-century mathematician. And I delitti della fattucchiera, in Parma, where a series of crimes unfolds in the wake of an enigmatic woman devoted to the magical arts. These are just some of the storylines on offer, blending fun and knowledge. Cities have never felt so intriguing and adventurous: it simply takes the right perspective — slow, curious and mindful. Giving them the time they deserve, the unhurried time of storytelling, but with a playful twist that is made to be shared.
