Stregati dai Vicoli

A village that lights up at the end of October

Stregati dai Vicoli is the event that, at the end of October, turns the historic center of Ponte, a small town in the Province of Benevento in Campania, into a pedestrian path winding through staircases, arches, and illuminated alleyways. This is not just another imported Halloween party: it is a project to promote the ancient village that draws from the town's memory—its stone houses, traditional crafts, and legends—and presents them to visitors through immersive sets, storytelling, workshops, and tastings. Over three days, the town, with its population of just over two thousand, welcomes visitors of all ages.

From 2022 to today: the history of the event

The first edition in 2022 began as a labor of love for the ancient village: markets, tastings, small performances, and narrative trails were created to breathe life back into a part of the town that risked abandonment. The second edition in 2023 expanded the project into the concept of "diffused theater," featuring artisans, open cellars, workshops, and the first explicit references to local folklore. The third edition in 2025 cemented the event as one of the most popular autumn gatherings in the Sannio area, attracting exhibitors from various Italian regions, thematic trails, guided tours, live music, and food stalls. The fourth edition arrives in 2026.

The janare, the legend of Flumena, and the alleyways

The common thread is not costumes, but Sannite folk tradition. In the Benevento area, the janare—the witches of local peasant culture, linked to the famous imagery of the Walnut Tree of Benevento—are part of the territory's identity. In Ponte, this heritage is treated as cultural subject matter rather than postcard folklore: the legend of the janara Flumena accompanies guided tours through the "vichi" (alleyways), alongside local history, archaeology, and botany. The «Casa dei Vicoli Stregati» (House of Bewitched Alleyways), set up with thematic scenery, is the event's most photographed attraction.

Crafts, Sannio flavors, and live music

Along the route, you will find stalls featuring artisans and hobbyists, offering handmade creations, vintage items, and small-batch local products. The gastronomic experience is provided by stands offering traditional Sannio dishes:

• tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms
• caciocavallo impiccato (hanging cheese)
• padellaccia (pork stew) and tripe
• fried montanare
• artisanal sweets
• local wines and craft beer

The soundtrack is live and itinerant: musicians move through the alleyways in the afternoon, followed by evening concerts in the village squares, featuring acts that have ranged over the years from singer-songwriters to swing, acoustic pop-rock, and handpan melodies.

Historical Museum, guided tours, and workshops

During the event, the Historical Museum of Ponte in Piazza Leonardo Bianchi opens its doors for special viewings, featuring four thematic rooms housing archaeological finds, ancient documents, traditional costumes, and vintage postcards. Alongside the museum, guided tours—historical, archaeological, botanical, and narrative—are available, usually by reservation due to limited capacity. For children, the «Stregati a Colori» creative workshops are available, designed for ages 3-11 and free of charge.

Why it's worth the trip

Those looking for an authentic autumn event, far from the crowds of large city festivals, will find a well-balanced formula here: an intimate atmosphere, free admission, a focus on local food, and a community effort involving citizens, artisans, schools, and local associations. The village can be explored in an afternoon, but we recommend staying until evening, when the lights and scenery completely transform the atmosphere of the alleyways. It is also a great starting point for discovering the rest of the Sannio region: the Taburno hills, local wineries, and nearby Benevento with its Arch of Trajan.