The Piantamaggio, an ancient rite unique in its kind, takes place every year on the night between 30th April and 1st May. 

This tradition involves many villages of the Valnerina, at the border between the municipalities of Norcia and Preci.

Its origins are pagan and show striking similarities with the Roman Bacchanalia, in honour of Bacchus and Dionysus as well as the Gaelic Beltane that are hymns to fertility and a greeting of the spring season.

Therefore, in the afternoon of 30^th April inhabitants of Norcia, Preci and neighbouring villages go to the embankments of the river and look for a poplar to cut.

The tree is then stripped of its bark, decorated with foliage and the national flag. The “Maggio”, so decorated, is then planted in the main square, where it will stay until the following year.

For further information:

http://www.lavalnerina.it/