Italian village without corona: Reason 'miraculous water' or adherence to measures

(Patria) - The Italian village of Montaldo Torinese in the northern Piedmont region has so far recorded not a single case of coronavirus infection.

Many, including the village residents, believe that the reason is the 'miraculous water' which, legend has it, cured Napoleon's army of pneumonia.

The village is located about 20 kilometers from Turin, where more than 3,700 people have been infected, in the midst of one of the most endangered regions in Italy in terms of the epidemic.

It is believed that the water from the well in the village of Montaldo Torinese, which has no more than 720 inhabitants, helped to heal Napoleon's soldiers who set up camp there in June 1800, before the Battle of Marengo.

- Legend has it that Napoleon's generals fell ill with pneumonia, says Mayor Sergio Gaiotti, continuing: 'Thanks to the clean air and pristine nature, as well as this well, they recovered. The water probably helped then. But today that well is closed, and the well water is only used for irrigating fields. It is not for drinking.'

After staying in this village and recovering, Napoleon's troops continued their journey towards Marengo, where they won the battle.

The community of Montaldo Torinese is mostly populated by the elderly, but young families who commute to work in Turin daily have also found a home in the picturesque village.

Gaiotti says that more convincing reasons than legends about the village likely lie in the clean air and healthy lifestyle, as well as his efforts to convince residents of the risk posed by the coronavirus, and the distribution of protective masks.

- There is almost no industry here, mostly artisan artists, the leader of the small community continues. 'From the very beginning, I put flyers in mailboxes with basic information on protection from the virus, hand washing, avoiding direct contact, etc. We were the first to distribute protective masks to all families, and we are still doing so,' the mayor of Montaldo Torinese told the British Guardian.