Ecomuseum Kids

TO TufaraEvery year, a mysterious figure wanders the streets of the town: it's the Devil! But not the scary one... this one is funny and only plays pranks! He jumps, runs, chases people, and pretends to kidnap anyone he finds, but then... he bursts out laughing!

It is said that in ancient times, this Devil represented all that was bad in the past year, and that at the end of the celebration he was symbolically burned to make room for new and beautiful things.

Today it has become a carnival game, with masks, drums, songs and children running after the Devil... or running away, laughing their heads off!

In Jelsi, every year, something magical happens: wheat grains become art!
The whole town gets to work building special floats dedicated to Saint Anna, the protector of the harvest. But be careful... they're not just any floats! They are giant sculptures made only of wheat, glued, woven and sewn with patience, just like our grandparents did.

Some build a castle, some a church, some a dragon, or a tractor. The children help, draw, glue, and learn that even a simple grain can tell a story.

On the day of the festival, the floats parade through the streets, accompanied by music, singing, drums, and the smell of warm bread. Everyone applauds and thanks the earth, which once again that year has given its most precious gift: the wheat.

In Gambatesa, New Year's Eve is not a night like any other... it is the night of Maitunate!

When the sun sets and everyone gets ready to celebrate the arrival of the new year, the town fills with music, laughter and improvised singingThe groups of musicians, small and large, dress up in cheerfulness and move from house to house, singing witty stanzas to entertain those who listen to them.

Each team has its own singer, who invents rhymes and makes fun of—but always with humor—those who are about to celebrate the New Year. No one gets offended, because everyone knows that In the Maitunate you can say anything… but only for two days!

And the next day? Everyone in the square! The teams compete cheerfully to win a very special prize: the Golden Rattle!

Every year, on August 28th, Riccia fills up with colours, flags and clogs that beat loudly on the asphalt… it's the day of the Palio of Sant'Agostino!

The districts of the country prepare for weeks: each one has its own knight, called jockey, and his horse, elegant and fast. Everyone parades through the streets of the town in colorful clothes, amidst drums and applause, ready to challenge each other in an exciting race.

People cheer with all their hearts and encourage their champions. Whoever crosses the finish line first receives the Saint's Cloth, a beautiful banner with the image of Saint Augustine, which he can keep for a whole year, bringing pride to his district.

In Riccia, every September, something special happens: grapes become the protagonist of a great celebration! It's the Grape Festival, and the districts They prepare for weeks to create beautiful and fragrant floats.

THE grape carts they are not normal tanks: they are works of art made with real grapes, vines, leaves and wood, built by people of all ages. They climb on them costumed figures, which represent life as it once was: work in the fields, the grape harvest, the joy of good wine that was once shared with the whole family.

The town fills with music, smiles, and the scent of autumn. It's a day of celebration for everyone: for those who watch, for those who parade... and for the grapes, which finally take center stage!

In Gildone, every year, something truly special happens: the women of the village parade carrying huge baskets of bread on their heads decorated with white flowers, lilies, in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua.

But they are not the only ones who make the party so unique… there are also thirteen children, affectionately called little monks, who for thirteen days gather to pray in front of an altar filled with candles and flowers. On the day of the feast they wear the brown robe, just like little friars, and follow the procession holding in their hands a loaf of bread and a lily.

The entire town gathers in silence and respect: it is a celebration made of ancient gestures, whispered words, and bread that smells of sharing.

In Toro, every year, when June 13th approaches, something magical happens: for thirteen nights in a row, the boys of the village run between the fields and the houses to collect brushwoodBut it's not just any game... they are preparing the St. Anthony's fires!

Bonfires are lit every evening in many corners of the village. Families gather around the fire: they chat, tell stories, share good food, and warm their hearts, just like in the olden days.

But the real surprise comes on the last evening: on the largest bonfire a rag, paper and straw doll, colorful and funny. When it catches fire, everyone looks at it in silence: it's the greeting to the party and the beginning of a new time.

In Pietracatella, every year, a festival is celebrated with a name as sweet as its meaning: Our Lady of Ricotta.

Long ago, the shepherds of the village were famous for their milk and for the soft and white ricotta that they knew how to prepare. To thank the Madonna of Constantinople for her protection, they decided to offer cheese to those who needed it most.

Even today, a week before the celebration, the women of the village collect milkThey carefully heat it and transform it into ricotta, just as they used to do in the olden days. On the feast day, the Madonna, dressed in gold and carried under an elegant canopy, strolls through the town streets... accompanied by the scent of fresh milk and the gratitude of everyone.

In Jelsi, in winter, you may hear a distant sound: it is the Bear Man's drum! But don't be afraid… it's not a real bear, it's a man in disguise, covered in hair, dancing through the streets of the village.

In ancient times it was believed that the bear was a powerful animal, capable of awaken nature after the cold. So, every year, the Bear Man comes out of his den and dances, led by a tambourine player who keeps him tied with a rope. He jumps, runs, shakes off the imaginary snow... and brings good luck!

People follow him, laugh, clap their hands to the beat of the drum, and offer him something to eat. When he's finished dancing, Bearman returns to his den, ready to awaken again the following year.

In Riccia, in the great Mazzocca Woods, there is a magical place where they live fairy tales, games and enchanted characters: it is the Forest of Fairy Tales!
There you can walk among the trees and discover giant books, secret wells, wooden houses And old-fashioned games like tug of war and strummolo.

Every corner tells a story of the past, with curious elves, golden hens and dialect proverbs that make you laugh and think.

Tanto, tanto tempo fa, la pace regnava sulla terra e gli uomini vivevano felici. In cima a una montagna — che poi si chiamerà Monte Saraceno — abitavano le Fate, creature gentili vestite di bianco, con il sorriso sempre sulle labbra.

Dall’alto guardavano gli uomini lavorare nei campi, i bambini giocare felici e gli animali brucare l’erba fresca. Vivevano in una grotta magica di pietra: tavoli, letti, piatti, tutto era scolpito nella roccia bianca come la neve. I bambini salivano fin lassù a giocare con loro tra tronchi, tane e angoli segreti.

Ma un giorno qualcosa cambiò: gli uomini iniziarono a litigare, a diventare invidiosi e cattivi. Le Fate, tristi, piansero tanto che le loro lacrime si trasformarono in pietra… e anche loro divennero statue di roccia, silenziose nella loro grotta.

Da allora, la Grotta delle Fate è nascosta tra gli alberi. Ma si dice che, se un bambino dal cuore buono si avvicina in silenzio, possa ancora sentire le Fate sussurrare parole di pace.

💫 Curiosity: la Grotta delle Fate esiste davvero! Si trova sul Monte Saraceno, vicino a Cercemaggiore, ed è avvolta da misteri e leggende antichissime.
🎒 Esplora con la fantasia! Disegna la tua fata e inventa un nascondiglio segreto nella montagna!