Would you like to learn more about this inland Ligurian village, where witches once lived? Then hire a vehicle, come, and discover its mysteries and terrible legends.
Lost at the bottom of the Argentina valley, in the province of Imperia, is the village of Triora, known for its witches and legends. The origin of this village dates to Roman times. However, the inhabitants like to remember that at the end of the Middle Ages, the largest trial for witchcraft in the entire peninsula took place in the municipality: a major witch hunt began in Triora at the end of the 1500s because several inhabitants were accused of engaging in demonic rituals. The occult holds an important place in local tradition, to the point that, even today, the symbol of the town of Triora is Cerberus. If it is a chilling adventure that you want to experience, then hire a vehicle and come to Valle Argentina.
Triora is a fascinating and mysterious place
The centuries-old village of Triora lies at the foot of Monte Trono, overlooking the Argentina valley, where it retains its medieval appearance almost intact. In the heart of the village, you will enjoy exploring the ancient alleys, vaulted passageways, and steep streets of what is considered one of the oldest villages in Liguria. Besides the village itself, points of interest include: the Ethnographic Museum of Witchcraft, Collegiate Church of the Assumption, the Church of San Bernardino, the famous ‘Cabotina’, where, according to tradition, witches once gathered; and the ruins of Triora Castle.
The village, as mentioned already, was strongly marked by the events that resulted from the witchcraft trial that involved many of the village women. The Ethnographic Museum of Witchcraft has been set up in the centre of the small village to reconstruct ancient rural life and the chronicles of the famous 1588 trial, which remains much discussed by writers and critics. It immortalises the memory of an event that has been compared to the importance of the famous Salem witch trials. The museum is not only about witchcraft, but it also preserves interesting prehistoric animal remains from the region.
Other monuments and sites of interest in Triora
The ruins of what remains of the five fortresses of Triora, the ‘Fortino’ and the castle of Triora are also very evocative, enhancing the mysterious charm of the small medieval village.
Triora can be a real ‘discovery’ for nature lovers. The vegetation is very varied, consisting of pines, chestnuts, oaks, firs and larches, where you can hike along paths in the open countryside. The fauna is very rich in insects and birds such as grouse, pheasants, and birds of prey in an area considered a natural habitat worthy of study by specialists. And speaking of ‘specialities’, no one should leave Triora without first tasting the bread and cheeses typical of one of Liguria’s oldest villages.
