In the popular belief a witch is a woman with magic powers who is able to do good or evil and to heal people from all kinds of diseases.

Even today there is still a “science of the witchcraft“ which is taught
by qualified witches and magicians. This science deals with the knowledge about herbs and the old European religions.

Old people say that many witches lived in Benevento for a long time. Manuscripts of witch trials in Italy mention a walnut tree where the witches used to dance around with their friends, the devils, on Sabbath. This tree carried leaves throughout the year. In the year 622 A.D. the Saint Barbato converted the longobard Duke Arechi II of Benevento to Christianity and had the tree cut down.

The legend says that a snake with a golden cup appeared out of the part which was left of the trunk and the tree began to grow again. There are still a lot of walnut trees in Benevento and its environment, but some people say that the “real” witch tree is to be found near Avellino in Stretto di Barba.

Give a look at the "Three witches and a froggy prince" video and you will know more about Stretto di Barba!!!