Le Notti delle Streghe - Mystery in Rifreddo

A journey into mystery at the foot of Monviso

Every autumn, at the end of October, the village of Rifreddo, a small municipality in the Po Valley in the Province of Cuneo, is enveloped in an atmosphere of mist, candles, and ancient legends. Le Notti delle Streghe - Mystery in Rifreddo is a cultural tourism event created and promoted by the Municipality to showcase local historical and landscape heritage; in just a few years, it has become one of the most anticipated appointments in the Saluzzo area and the entire south-western Piedmont.

The masche, the witches of Piedmont

The heart of the event is the figure of the masca, the witch of Piedmontese folk tradition: an ambiguous creature, half-healer and half-sorceress, the protagonist of stories passed down for generations in the countryside and valleys of the Cuneo area. In Rifreddo, these stories come to life through theatrical routes, sketches, actors, acrobats, and fire shows that guide the audience on a journey between reality and legend.

Between the Monastery and Mombracco

The event takes place in the historic center, centered around Piazza della Vittoria, but also involves iconic local landmarks such as the ancient Monastery of Santa Maria della Stella and the Mombracco massif, the "mountain of Leonardo" that dominates the valley. The combination of evocative locations and magical storytelling creates an immersive experience that attracts visitors from across the region and beyond every year.

What to expect

• Theatrical night walks through the village streets, with staggered departures and mandatory booking
• Magical themed markets (the Magicum Emporium, the Felix Felicis) featuring handicrafts, local products, and street food
• Fire shows and acrobatics, nocturnal bird of prey displays, musicians, and flag-wavers
• Children's workshops at the Monastery and animated walks for families
• Live music, ranging from Occitan melodies to evening DJ sets
• On Sunday, the grand Sagra delle Masche (Masche Festival) with a market, a lunch hosted by the Pro Loco, and a final concert

An event for the territory

Organized by the Municipality of Rifreddo with the support of the Fondazione CR Saluzzo and the patronage of the Piedmont Region and the Province of Cuneo, the event involves numerous local entities: the Rifreddo Pro Loco, the Marchesato theater companies, and various volunteer and Civil Protection associations. It is an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Piedmont and to experience folk traditions in a spectacular and contemporary way.