94-Year-Old Woman, Who Wears Ancient Clothes, Becomes Tourist Attraction In Italy

In the charming Italian village of Scanno, a 94-year-old woman has emerged as an unexpected tourist attraction. Affectionately called "Nonna Margherita" or "L'Ultima Regina" (The Last Queen), Margherita Ciarletta has enchanted visitors with her timeless grace and commitment to maintaining ancient traditions. She stands as the final resident who continues to wear Scanno's traditional clothing that dates back centuries, doing so every day without fail.

Her traditional outfit includes a dark wool gown with long black sleeves and a cotton headband. Remarkably, she has worn this style of dress since the age of 18. "I've always liked this dress, I am proud to wear it," Margherita revealed during a conversation with CNN.

Throughout history, Scanno's women were known for wearing two distinct types of attire. The first is the everyday dress that Margherita continues to wear, which was traditionally used for fieldwork and daily chores. The second is a more elaborate costume featuring intricate embroidery, a decorated bodice, and a hat, typically reserved for Sundays and special occasions.

While some local women only wear these ornate garments during festivals and celebrations, Ciarletta uniquely maintains the tradition of wearing the working clothes daily, including Sundays. She rotates between several versions each week in black or dark blue with white accents. Her unwavering dedication to preserving this traditional attire has transformed her into a beloved local icon and tourist draw.

"That was, and still is, my ordinary everyday dress. My husband never liked it, but that did not stop me from wearing it every day, both while working in the fields and during festivities," Margherita explained.

Following the passing of her sisters, Adelia and Anna, Margherita has become the sole guardian of Scanno's traditional clothing heritage. As awareness of her distinctive style spread through social media beyond the village boundaries, tourists began flocking to meet "Nonna Margherita" in person.

Local authorities are now campaigning for Scanno's traditional costumes to be recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. While Margherita has grown accustomed to the attention that comes with being a tourist attraction, she doesn't always embrace it comfortably. She generally welcomes visitors and doesn't object to being photographed for social media, but is known to decline television crews.