by Redazione 19/10/2026
Categories: News / Disclaimer
Five municipalities in northern Italy—namely Levone, Miagliano, Saint-Denis, Rifreddo, and Triora—have signed a memorandum of understanding to preserve the historical memory of witchcraft. As reported by *La Stampa*, the parish priest of Miagliano, Father Renato Bertolla, has expressed his opposition to the project.
Some time ago, we wrote about five Italian places linked to the Inquisition and the witch hunts: Triora (Imperia), Benevento, Fiè allo Sciliar (Bolzano), Rifreddo (Cuneo), and Valcamonica (Bergamo-Brescia), recounting the history of the persecutions that shaped these regions.
The topic has returned to the forefront with the launch of the Network of Northwest Witch Towns, presented on Sunday, October 18, at the Teresa Belloc Municipal Theater in San Giorgio Canavese, in the province of Turin.The initiative brings together five municipalities—Levone (Turin), Miagliano (Biella), Saint-Denis (Aosta), Rifreddo, and Triora—all of which share documented historical events linked to the Inquisition and witch trials—with the goal of preserving this legacy through shared cultural projects and tourist itineraries.
Representatives of the local governments signed a memorandum of understanding to promote cultural activities, educational programs, and tourist itineraries based on documented events and trial records related to witchcraft.
The memorandum aims to facilitate the coordinated planning of cultural initiatives and tourist itineraries—including digital ones—the exchange of documents and expertise, and the development of a shared narrative. The memory of witchcraft is thus regarded as anthropological heritage and intangible cultural heritage, with the goal of strengthening regional cohesion and enhancing the appeal of the municipalities.
However, the initiative also appears to have raised some concerns. As reported by *La Stampa*, the parish priest of Miagliano, Father Renato Bertolla, expressed his opposition to the project, believing it would have been preferable not to pursue this path and that the area has other unique features and attractions worth highlighting. According to the newspaper, the priest acknowledged the legitimacy of the municipal administration’s decision, while emphasizing that he does not support the initiative and has not had the opportunity to discuss this specific issue with the administrators, despite their collaboration on other aspects of local life.
The new network aims to transform memories of witchcraft into an opportunity for research, outreach, and cultural development. The parish priest’s dissent, however, brings a larger question to the forefront: should a region promote only the stories it can be proud of, or also those that make people uncomfortable?
 |
| The Network of Witches' Towns is launched, but the parish priest of one of the towns involved seems to disapprove |
Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.