The woods and mountains of Garfagnana are very different from the typical image of Tuscany that many have. According to locals, their wild beauty also hides many secrets and a whole lot of supernatural creatures. Traditions and legends have been rediscovered lately and there are many that believe that this ancient land would host many creatures. Some are funny, a bit mischievous, others are definitely more scary. This week we have decided to have a quick trip into Tuscan folklore and tell you some of the tales that involve elves, witches and other creatures. Most of the stories revolve around little pranksters like the "linchetto" of Lucca and the "buffardello" of Garfagnana, that looks a lot like your regular leprechaun. These small people walk around at night, making a mess of people's houses and making small pranks to humans and farm animals. Some of the legends are a lot darker and tell tales of satanic rituals, magic potions, curses and all sorts of dark rituals that happen on a New Moon. At the end of the XVI century, the Lucca countryside had its own version of the Salem trials, with a lot of young single women being burned alive or strangled. While no one has seen witches lately, their stories are still alive in this magical part of Tuscany. What is your take? Do you believe that the woods hide some sort of supernatural creature that sometimes just wants to have a laugh at our expense? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.justinlucca.it/2019/10/12/che-cose-il-linchetto/
https://www.welcome2lucca.com/il-linchetto/
https://www.lagazzettadelserchio.it/mediavalle/2019/08/linchetto-fest-cultura-tradizioni-e-leggende-lucchesi-rivivono-nel-centro-di-pescaglia/
https://www.fantasymagazine.it/6080/lucca-streghe-folletti-e-diavoli
https://terraevita.forumfree.it/?t=52978584
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/folletto-buffardello-leggenda-garfagnana/
http://paolomarzi.blogspot.com/2014/05/il-buffardello-folletto.html
https://www.aneddoticamagazine.com/it/non-solo-il-buffardello-ecco-gli-altri-folletti-toscani-che-leggenda-narra/
http://www.economiaitaliana.it/it/articolo.php/La-Garfagnana-che-non-ti-aspetti-tra-folletti-streghe-misticismo-e-magia?LT=CULT&ID=29705&ARCHIVIO=1

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Children of the Son
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental