Triora – not only witches

Liguria, Italy’s rainbow shaped north western region, is flanked by the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the Ligurian Alps mountain range to the north along its full, narrow, 250 kilometre length. There are any number of picturesque villages in the upper reaches of its many valleys. Dwindling and aging populations and consequently a shrinking local economy characterize them all: alas photogenic vistas and tranquil wooded surroundings are seldom enough to keep a village young and vibrant. Occasionally a village is fortunate enough to have been the birthplace of a famous person or the site of a miraculous event: a regular stream of enthusiasts and pilgrims is assured. Other times an enterprising local committee will ‘create’ an attraction that draws tourists from far and wide. Yet other villages have a time in their past which even if tragic can be adapted to modern tastes and fancies to attract tourism and thus hopefully keep the village alive. I have dedicated “Triora – not only witches” to the memory of witches past, but as the title suggests there is much, much more to Triora than the sad story of a ferocious witch trial held there in 1587-1588. In writing this short book I have tried to convey an understanding of why Triora is known far and wide as the “villages of witches” and at the same time I will take my readers on an exploratory walk around the ancient town and its immediate surroundings.