The region is notable for being the site of controversial
Marian apparitions in 1944. 7-year-old Adelaide Roncalli, a resident of Torchio, said she had seen the
Holy Family on May 13 of that year and on subsequent days. She also said the Blessed Mother appeared alone and gave her brief messages. The news spread rapidly and huge crowds soon flooded the town from all over Europe. The last reported visitation had a reported 200,000 people in attendance. Although Ms. Roncalli was forced to retract her statements, as an adult she claimed she had been coerced and bullied by the priests and maintained that she actually had seen something. The "Madonna of Ghiaie" is now being investigated by the Roman Catholic Church. == Demographic evolution ==