A pagan tradition and a baker have changed the name of a church from Santa Maria della Consolazione (St. Mary of Consolation) to Madonna della Fava.
In the past, there existed a tradition of eating broad beans – in Italian, fave – during funeral banquets, as the legumes were believed to connect the world of the living with that of the dead. This is why on occasion of All Souls Day the fave dei morti (broad beans of the dead) – round cookies made with almond paste – are eaten.
The bakery next to the church was known for its excellent fave dei morti, as testified by the church’s nickname.
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