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Throughout Italy, but particularly in the Apennines of Emilia Romagna, Tuscany and Liguria, these peculiar stone masks, believed to ward off evil spirits, can be commonly found on door lintels, fountains or on the walls of houses.
These stone faces, usually carved in sandstone or other kinds of local stone, have their origins in ancient Celtic culture and the custom of beheading enemies and hanging their decapitated heads outside homes.
With the passing of time, actual decapitation was replaced by heads carved out of stone.
The most reliable explanation behind these stone masks is that they were meant to instil fear and thus ward off evil spirits, enemies, witches or plague-spreaders.
Obviously, the faces that can be seen today are not from the pre-Christian era, although many of them date back to the Late Middle Ages (1000-1492).
Over the centuries, this ancient tradition has been continued by local populations right up to the present day.
Depending on which geographical area they are to be found, they take on different names.
In the Modena area they are identified as “marcolfe”, from the ancient Germanic name markulf (marc=border and ulf=wolf), signifying a border guard.
In the village of Fiumalbo, these faces often have severe, menacing features, with dilated eyes and prominent teeth, and others have grotesque or deriding expressions.
In the local dialect of Fiumalbo their name changes slightly to “margolfa”.
The text comes from the booklet ‘Le marcolfe di Fiumalbo’ (The Stone Masks of Fiumalbo).
“Marcolfe” today
The tradition of “marcolfe”, or stone masks, is very much alive today, and is continued by young enthusiasts who carve unique pieces out of stone, which are gradually reappearing on the houses and walls of villages in the area.
Fanano
In Fanano, “marcolfe” are made by local artist Gionata Orsini
Info: +39 338 3977261
In the local shops and mountain refuges around Fanano, you can find small “marcolfe” made by Gionata Orsini, which can be attached to your rucksack.
Fiumalbo
In Fiumalbo you can find the artwork of Davide Santi (whose work can be seen in the photo gallery).
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Telephone no: +39 339 2911895
Davide Santi has also created a map of Fiumalbo which indicates all the “marcolfe” to be seen and admired around the village.
You can get a copy at Davide’s shop or at the Fiumalbo Tourist Office and set out to discover all the “marcolfe” in the village!
