The Baìo of Sampeyre, held every five years, is one of the most important and oldest traditional festivals in the Italian Alps.
Its origins date back to before the year 1000, when a group of Saracens tried to occupy the valley, but were stopped by the local population.
The Baìo, which is carried out over three days, on the two Sundays of the carnival and ends on Shrove Thursday, today consists of four processions from the capital, Sampeyre, and three of its hamlets, Rore, Calchesio, and Villar, in memory of the popular brigades that had gathered to drive out the invaders.
Trivia: only men can participate the parade, playing both male and female roles, performing over the three days with the clothes woven by the women of the village.
Costumes are made following very strict rules because they must accurately identify the character to which they belong.
