Myths and legends in Valle d’Aosta

The protagonists of our fantastic traditions

Myths and legends (from Latin: "worthy of a read") are, as is well-known, tales from popular traditions where the protagonists approach creatures of incredible dimensions - gods, heroes, witches, ghosts, demons or saints. At times, the tales talk about fantastic origins or environmental morphology or historic events transformed by fantasy; the truth in these tales are open to interpretation, faced with a world of magic and fairy tale, however this veil of spirituality supports the ritual phases in which myths and legends form the foundations of popular festivals , with the important function of strengthening the origins of communities. There are different collections, even of literary value, of Valdostane myths and legends and it would be difficult to consider all the tales, often with multiple forms. Certain are based on the fantastic birth and transformation of the mountains , lakes, plants and flowers ; others talk of … “diabolic” actions – with the frequent appearance of the devil in local tradition.

Some stories cover religious themes and "talk" to voices from other realms; saints are celebrated for their intercession with God, leading to small miracles – the most frequent of the many saints's names include St. Martin, St. Orso, St. Anselmo and St. Bernard (the last two are still significant in today's culture). Witches are also often present in tales; their stories lapse between fantasy and reality, in a region in which past historians have long since denied the presence of the Inquisition. Only in recent years has investigations into the issue been attributed to members of the Order of Friars Minor or the tax prosecutor (ecclesiastical figure). It is worth noting that women investigated for witchcraft were often guaranteed the right to a defence, through a legal expert: a form of guarantee not always applied in parallel contexts. Ghosts, often the protagonists of legends applied to literature and “ghost stories”, appear in tales and

in more modern forms of popular word of mouth: “dark” magazines,blogs and websites. Here are a few quotes (with a hint of fantasy and the benefit of invention): tales of the ”presence” of an armiger from 1600 in Saint Marcel Castle , of a woman who died for a crime she didn't commit, in 1500, in Quart Castle and the spirit of Countess Bianca Maria of Challant in Verrès Castle , her residence from 1522 to 1525. Bianca Maria was just twenty when she was sent to trial and condemned to decapitation for a crime she didn't commit. It is said that a ghost appears in summer, near the octagonal fountain in the castle courtyard.


New search
Legends	Miracle at Machaby Town: Arnad
Legends	Il Lago Blu (The Blue Lake) Town: Breuil-Cervinia
Legends	Pont de Massoere – Borna du diable – Bois du Dot Town: Brusson
Legends	The passage of Napoleon Town: Brusson
Legends	The treasure and castellans of Graines Town: Brusson
Legends	The calf on the treasure Town: Challand-Saint-Anselme
Legends	The waterfall of Croix d'Arlaz Town: Challand-Saint-Victor
Legends	The Sé-Frid Town: Champdepraz
Legends	The last bear of the Valle d'Ayas Town: Champoluc/Ayas/Antagnod
Legends	Il Dente del Gigante (Giant's Tooth) Town: Courmayeur
Legends	The devils of Val Veny Town: Courmayeur
Legends	The ''Match in Valdigne'' Town: Courmayeur
Legends	The Miage Town: Courmayeur
Legends	The Monte Bianco Town: Courmayeur
Legends	The tseallii Town: Courmayeur
Legends	The wayfarer of Mont Maudit Town: Courmayeur
Legends	The Lys Glacier and the city of Felik Telephone: 01215 356248 Town: Gressoney-La-Trinité
Legends	The Madonna's water Town: Issogne
Legends	The Arlaz windmill Town: Montjovet
Legends	The broken idol Town: Verrès

WHERE

Select destination:

Maximum distance:

TYPE Width / reduce

Legends