Library & Innovation Centre

Among the most unique pieces of Calabria is a typical street folk dance called "Viddhaneddha", (narrow street, old people in the Grecanic areas call it megalo koro), which originated in rituals coming from Magna Graecia, with liberating rhythm ...

The tarantella, which dates to the fifteenth century or earlier, is one of the most famous folk dances of Italy. It began as a cure for a condition called tarantism, which was believed to be caused by the bite of a spider widely thought to be poisonous.

To medieval peasants in southern Italy, the tarantella was more than a catchy tune. It was something powerful and dangerous. The tarantella could save your life—or drive you to the brink of madness.

Description of the costume worn by women and men.

Brief description of music and instruments used in the Tarantella with video

Brief description of props and costumes used by dancers.

Folk dances tell stories and reflect a group’s diverse history and culture. While the tarantella — arguably Italy’s most famous folk dance — is best known today as a dance performed at weddings, its origins are as ancient as they are peculiar.

The traditions, the food, and the culture that characterise southern Italy offer unexpected surprises. We absolutely love one of the most evocative types of traditional music and dance, which harken from the south.