Italian folktales

Italian folktales

Some Italian fairy tales, folk tales and legends can be traced back thousands of years, and similarities between stories are found in French, Spanish and Celtic traditions as well. The abundant collection of Italian folk tales we have today comes to us from contemporary written accounts of Medieval Italian folklore.
Not all Italian fairy tales were originally intended to be children’s stories, but with translations and adaptations that toned down the more gruesome or horrific elements, they found their way into the hearts of children the world over.

Content

How the Tales came to be told

The Myrtle

Peruonto

Vardiello

The Flea

Cenerentola

The Merchant

Goat-Face

The Enchanted Doe

Parsley

The Three Sisters

Violet

Pippo

The Serpent

The She-Bear

The Dove

Italian folktales

Cannetella

Corvetto

The Booby

The Stone in the Cock's Head

The Three Enchanted Princes

The Dragon

The Two Cakes

The Seven Doves

The Raven

The Months

Pintosmalto

The Golden Root

Sun, Moon, and Talia

Nennillo and Nennella

The Three Citrons

Conclusion

Author: Giambattista Basile