Bräuche und Aberglaube zum Dreikönigstag
We recall an ancient custom together with the Three Wise Men, the shepherds and a taste of the "de la giava Carlota" cake
The Ladins of Fassa call Epiphany "Pèsca Tofènia", according to a terminology used in the East. Once upon a time, all over the Alpine world on the eve of the Twelfth Night after Christmas, a ritual was performed involving the blessing of the family, the house, the barn and the animals in the stable. At the end, people would sit down at the table for the Great Supper, a moment of thanksgiving for the year that had just passed and a good omen for the year to come.
On this night, the animals in the stable were believed to talk to each other. They would tell each other how they had been treated by the master of the house during the year, but no one could listen to them: on pain of death! Each householder had to bless the whole house with holy water to protect it from storms, fire and witches. At the end of the blessing rite, the initials of the Three Kings were marked on the door lintels: K (Kaspar) + M (Melchior) + B (Balthasar). 3 monograms which, together with the date of the current year and the blessed water, were left until the following year to keep evil spirits away.
The Ladin Museum reproposes this ancient rite, accompanied by the Song of the Three Kings.
Booking required by 4 January. Activity fee 8 € per person.
