Uncommon and curious study by Manni (1690-1788), Florentine academic and prolific author of numerous studies on the most disparate subjects. This in particular focuses on the figure of the Befana and the beliefs that hover around her mysterious figure, whose origins date back to the X-VI century BC. Connected to the propitiatory pagan rites linked to agriculture, she was universally considered the personification of winter Nature. Therefore condemned by the Church, the ancient female pagan figure was gradually accepted in Catholicism, as a sort of dualism between good and evil. Manni says ". that the Befana lives stealthily in the gorges of the paths: that she goes for a stroll magically on that night because it is the feast of the Magi: that when prayed she leaves presents to some putti in their stockings; and others, no less, look for them to pierce their body: to avoid which evil the remedy is found to eat broad beans, which is still used by many people that evening; as placing a mortar on the body, and praying is a good event by way of a special prayer, known as the Avemmaria of the Befana.".