Banco de la Resòn
Place of discussion for the Comunità and of witch trials
One the highest point of Parco della Pieve in Cavalese lies the Banco de la Resòn, a curious structure made of blocks of stone organized so as to form two concentric rows of seats, and in the centre there is a circular structure, similar to a table, with a hole in the middle. This kind of composition of stones is unique in Italy: here, the Comunità di Fiemme delegates used to meet on different occasions, as for example each 1st of May in order to elect the new Scario; each 15th of August to celebrate the Day of the Assumption (being Holy Mary protector of the Valley and of Cavalese), and every time it was necessary to discuss important matters for Val di Fiemme people. Votes were expressed by a system of marbles which were introduced in the hole in the middle of the central table. This is where, in the 16th century, public trials against women who were considered witches took place. During these tragic years for the history of Trentino, 28 people were accused of witchcraft: 6 of them managed to run away, but among the other 22, 18 were condemned and burned to death and 4 died in prison.
