Since 1587, during the witches trials, Triora has been known as the “Town of Witches“. In fact, during that time, a number of the women of the place had been accused of being witches, or, as it said in Ligurian dialect, “bagiue”.
Authorities tought these ladies were responsible for causing bad weather, which meant crop shortages, poor, and a very bad economy.
Nowadays Triora hosts the Ethnographic and Witchcraft Museum, offering the chance to let visitors discover more about the local traditions and history.
The museum was built where, once, the town’s prisoners were located, as well as the women accused to be witches. They spent a couple of hours or days there, incarcerated, before been burnt in the stake.
Historical documents are shown and displayed at the museum, along with some reconstructions of scenary. The most impressive one is the one of the interrogations and the tortures to which the women suspected of witchcrafts were subjected. The rooms on the first floor focus on rural life, showing documents that reveal how isolated this community once was.Visitors can also discover the ancient agricultural traditions, as well as the prehistoric origins of the town.
The theme of witches continues even outside the museums: in fact, you can see statues, witches houses, and shops selling witchy souvenirs. Take also the chance to visit the Cabotina, which once was the poorest quarter in the town. It is the place where the majority of the women accused of witchcraft lived. So, pay attention the sound of footsteps echoing through the vaulted stone passageways of this mysterious town can be heard…
Museo Regionale Etnografico e della Stregoneria
Corso Italia 1 – Triora (Imperia)
Opening times: from Monday to Friday 14,30 – 18,00; Saturday and Sunday 10,30 – 12,00