Journey To Southern Italy

The Witches of Benevento : Folklore & Plants

Trip to Benevento, Campania, Italy

Next Dates coming soon!

Join Italian American herbalists Lisa Fazio for a week in Benevento!

The city of Benevento is known as “La Città delle Streghe” or “The City of Witches”. The history of the city and the surrounding mountains goes back to ancient times and legends of the gatherings of witches around the famous “noce” or walnut tree of Benevento.

Basic Information

  • •All overnight accommodations for 7 nights

    •2 dinners cooked by local Italian Nonnas

    • Daily breakfast at BnB which usually consists of a pastry and coffee.
    ***note: American style breakfast such as eggs are not commonly found in Southern Italy although you might be able to find a place that offers something more than pastries, don't expect it.

    •Transportation to and from Naples airport

    •Transportation and admission to all events and activities

  • • Airfare

    • Travel Insurance. We will provide suggestions for where you can purchase your own.

    • Transportation to location from other points in Italy (other than Naples). We will provide suggestions for transport from other locations.

    • Meals other than the 2 dinners mentioned above. Where we will be staying is a walkable village where there are multiple restaurants. There are also groceries stores where you can purchase delicious and usually local produce, bread, meats and snacks.

  • • Anyone who wants to connect with the culture of Southern Italy. You do not have to be of Italian descent.

    •Anyone who wants to learn more about the folk medicine of rural italy or who is interested in folk medicine in general.

    •Anyone interested in learning more about witchcraft and its historical significance in the region of Benevento and Southern Italy in general.

    •Those that want to experience “village life” in Southern Italy

  • • This is not a “tour”. We will not be tourists, we will be guests and immersed in the experience of being in a different culture.

    • This is not a luxury resort style experience. We will be staying in an ancient village with all of its unique variations and history as well as its dynamic and fluid lifestyle. Things can be unpredictable (such as air conditioning and internet service). You may not always be comfortable in the way we are accustomed to being in the US.

Cost and Registration:

Our next trip is coming soon!

Itinerary 2024

We will be staying for 7 nights in the beautiful mountain village of Guardia Sanframondi in the province of Benevento.

Activities and Experiences (subject to change)

Home cooked dinners with local specialities made by the village Nonnas

Hike to Taburno Camposauro or Mount Tiburno which is part of the Apennine mountain range. We will be guided by local botanist, geologist, and historian Roberto Pellino/Zio Bacco.

Flower essence making on the mountain.

Visit to local Erboristeria(Herbal Apothecary) for tea and talk with local herbalist Maddelena Ferrucci

Visit to “Leonessa” a large rock formation and cave in the mountains of Benevento where the Janare (witches) of Benevento are said to have gone to collect herbs and perform magical ritual and ceremonies.

Visit to Benevento City and tour of the Witchcraft Museum/ Janua Museo

Trip to the city of Naples and the cave of the Sybil of Cumae

Trip to “Il Santuario di Montevergine”, the black Madonna, or Mamma Schiavona.