Allein Carnaval Meison

The Magic of the Meison di Carnaval de la Coumba Freida: In a world where the new and the technological attract attention, there are still traditions that stand the test of time, bringing with them stories and cultures from a distant past.
One of these is the Meison di Carnaval de la Coumba Freida, an event that enlivens the Aosta Valley each year with its rituals and colors, a heritage of inestimable value.
What is the Meison di Carnaval de la Coumba Freida?
The Meison di Carnaval de la Coumba Freida, or “Carnival House of the Great St. Bernard Valley,” is a unique folkloric event held in the Aosta Valley.
This festival, rooted in local history and culture, sees participants wearing traditional masks and vibrant costumes, celebrating the arrival of spring and the end of winter in a way that echoes through the centuries.
The house-monument of Ayez in Allein, is a 15th-century fortified house, a classic example of late Gothic rural architecture.
The building, composed of several bodies, is built almost dry-stone walled, with carved stone windows that feature the characteristic Valle d’Aosta inverted drop motif.
The architectural complex was listed in 1991 by the Superintendence for Cultural and Environmental Heritage, which after some investigation described it as a “stately home of the late Middle Ages Historical and Cultural Importance The origins of the Meison di Carnaval date back to ancient times, when local communities celebrated the renewal of the seasons and atonement through symbolic rites.
The costumes and masks, rich in detail and meaning, represent mythical characters and animals, embodying benevolent or malevolent spirits.
This festival is not only a manifestation of collective joy but also a time for deep reflection on the cycle of life and man’s relationship with nature.