A souvenir shop in Triora in Liguria Photo: stock.adobe.com/PaoloGiovanni
From our editorial team
Halloween is becoming more popular in Italy every year - between witches' villages, devil's bridges and ancient rituals.
Instead of a pure horror show, there is a mix of party, legend and remembrance that is surprisingly Italian. Halloween in Italy is not an imported carnival, but a growing cultural mix - of party, remembrance and regional pride.
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Between cemetery and festive mood
Photo: IMAGO/tiagozr
Two worlds collide in Italy: the Irish-American Halloween on 31 October and the Catholic holiday Ognissanti (All Saints' Day) on 1 November. Many families visit the graves of their deceased during these days, bringing flowers and candles. At the same time, in some places (especially) young Italians dance through the streets in witch costumes. Between cemetery ritual and festive mood.
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Witches' villages, bridges and masks
Some places in Italy have made Halloween their trademark. In Triora in Liguria - known as the „city of witches“ - there is a two-day programme around 31 October - nightly guided tours, fire performances and symbolic rituals take place. A hysterical and cruel persecution of witches took place in the village at the end of the 16th century.
In the Marche region, Corinaldo calls itself the „Halloween capital of Italy“. The medieval town celebrates for four days with parades, markets, the election of Miss Witch and a huge „Festival of Witches“ (26 to 30 October). Also in central Italy, in Tuscany, Borgo a Mozzano on the legendary Devil's Bridge with parades, music and spooky street decorations that attract thousands of visitors.
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Even the big cities like Rome celebrate Halloween in their own way in clubs and bars. In Milan, the splendidly spooky street parade is one of the highlights of Halloween. Organised by the Mexican consulate for „Dia de los muertos“ it will take place on 2 November this year. In Florence, hundreds walk in the Halloween Night Run through the city - accompanied by light shows and live music.
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