The Mondo Contadino Festival in Valle del Chiesa, Trentino, focusses on aspects of traditional peasant life of the past in the mountain valleys of northern Italy. Visitors can follow an itinerary along the Rio Caino which takes them on a tour of discovery of ancient country trades and crafts.
The semi-mythical figure of the Witch Brigida, known as the Poisoner is sure to arouse interest and curiosity. This indomitable woman, an expert in the use of healing herbs and velenous plants and funghi, lived in the valley around 1470. After killing off her husband and the wives of several men she fancied, she managed to defend herself so well during her trial that she avoided being burnt as a witch, though one of her accomplices met a nasty end. In her honour, a Brigidae Ortus has been set out with medicinal herbs and magic filtres, such as would have been used by the healing women and witches of Brigida's era.
Mondo Contadino Festival runs from 24-25 September.
For information: Tel.(0039)0465.901217
