ANCIENT TIMES – PRESENT

DESCRIPTION

The Walnut of Benevento was an ancient and leafy walnut tree consecrated to the Germanic god Odin, around which met a community of Lombards settled near Benevento from the sixth century, in the territories originally inhabited by the Samnites. The celebration of pagan and religious rites, which included hanging a goatskin from the walnut, has given rise to various legends that have perpetuated over the centuries, concerning ceremonies and magical rituals officiated by witches on the occasion of sabbath (the return of the devil).

The witch is still the symbol of the city of Benevento, first called Maloenton by the Greeks and then Maleventum by the Romans, which in a dark sense stands for “bad wind”.

The rituals are still active today in the countryside around the town

Submitted by Andrea N.