Triora, Voted as one of the 100 most beautiful medieval towns in Italy, may not be how one would expect to start a witchcraft story. Yet, this historical, quaint little hamlet that is clean and welcoming to all who visit, has a very dark and sinister past pervading this place, and for all of its beauty, Triora also carries the ominous nickname of il paese delle streghe, or “The Village of Witches.”
The town of Triora has a history going all the way back to the ancient 11th century, it was a thriving center of commerce in the region that, from time to time had to defend itself from forceful invasion by the powerful Republic of Genoa. Genoa eventually purchased the town. It went on to become a town of great importance as far as strategic position and for trade between France and Italy. Until the 16th Century, when things took a turn.
In 1587, the towns glory, began to fade. Crops dried up, money ran out, and the town began to falter. Having known the town to always be fruitful. The villagers soon began to suspect something nefarious or supernatural could be at play. Could the town have been cursed? Who could have done such a thing?
Before long, the situation was growing to include freak weather, plagues, pestilence, acid rain, and mysteriously dead, sometimes mutilated livestock. Rumors of witches began to spread throughout the town. Reports of healing magic, curses, and other, darker rituals permeated the area. Even reports of human sacrifice and cannibalism were heard. These eventually spread far enough to reach the Inquisition of Genoa.
The inquisition arrived and deemed the town corrupt with evil. After assessing reports, they focused mainly on one area of the town. The Cabotina area of the village, which was a collection of deteriorating, filthy huts outside the town walls inhabited by the poor and destitute. The inquisitors initiated a door to door search. The inquisitors rounded up dozens of young women, and one boy, suspected of witchcraft. After a time, the local magistrate directed them to others. So many were targeted as possible witches, that even the Inquisition questioned how one town could hold so many.
They were subjected to intense interrogation and torture, with some of them dying from this torture and another young woman committing suicide by leaping out of a window, marking bloodshed before the trials had even begun. Twelve of the accused refused to confess.
Four of the suspected witches were executed, at least four, as far as the records are concerned. The rest were eventually spared further pain by the Inquisition. There are rumors that nearly all of them were actually secretly executed. However, the facts are elusive. The magistrate who pointed out so many young people, was eventually excommunicated for his "ways."
Around 200 people were allegedly put forth as possible witches from the town and surrounding areas. Their fates are murky, thanks to shoddy record keeping. The inquisition of Triora set off many more instances of suspected witchcraft and further inquisition across Italy and surrounding countries. In modern times, "Italy's Salem" has now become some what of a tourist destination.
There are now witch tours, events, and celebrations to remember the trials, as well as capitalize on the history. However, the town is still seeing reports of paranormal activity. Strange events, ghosts, and shadow beings have all been reported within the city. It is clear, and believable that some ripples of the massive inquisition of Triora is still felt and remembered today.
(Side Note) Just a personal reflection here. It is interesting to think for all of the history involving witchcraft, shamanism, mysticism. We were always told to fear the witches, and not the men that tortured them, drowned them, flayed them, and burnt them alive...Just a thought.