Introduction to Poveglia Island
Poveglia (/poʊˈvɛliə/ poh-VEL-ee-ə; Italian: [poˈveʎʎa]) is a tiny island between Venice and Lido in the Venetian Lagoon, in northern Italy. The island is split into two by a small canal. The island is first mentioned in the historical record in 421, and was inhabited until the inhabitants fled war in 1379. For over 100 years starting in 1776, the island served as a quarantine station for those afflicted with the plague and other illnesses, and subsequently as a mental hospital. The mental hospital was closed in 1968, and the island has remained empty since. Due to its past, the island has been prominently featured on paranormal television programs.
Although it is forbidden to visit the island, authors’ and/or photographers’ visits are documented in a number of books and articles. Paranormal enthusiasts have said that Poveglia is the world’s most haunted island or location.
Past events
When inhabitants from Padua and Este escaped to the island to avoid the barbarian invasions in 421, the island was first recorded in the chronicles. The island’s population started to increase in the ninth century, and its significance increased gradually over the next centuries until it was run by a specialized Podestà. Venice was attacked by the Genoan navy in 1379. Poveglia’s inhabitants were relocated to the Giudecca.
In the centuries that followed, the island remained deserted. The Camaldolese monks were offered the island by the doge in 1527, but they turned it down. To guard and regulate the lagoon’s gates, the Venetian government constructed five octagonal forts starting in 1645. Only four octagons remain, including the Poveglia octagon.
It was submitted to the Magistrato alla Sanità (Public Health Office) in 1776 and served as a point of screening for all individuals and commodities arriving on ship and departing from Venice. Because of numerous plague outbreaks aboard two vessels in 1793, the island became a temporary detention centre for ill individuals (lazaretto). During Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule, this became a permanent post in 1805 when he had the ancient San Vitale church destroyed. A lighthouse replaced the previous bell tower. The lazaretto was closed in 1814.
Between 1793 and 1814, the island was used as a quarantine center. The old structures were converted to a mental health facility in 1922, and thereafter used as a nursing home and long-term care facility until its shutdown in 1968. From then on, the island was used for farming for a brief period until it was abandoned altogether.
A 99-year lease of Poveglia, to remain state-owned, was auctioned by the Italian government in 2014 hoping that the new owner will convert the hospital into a five-star hotel. The highest bidder (€513,000) was Luigi Brugnaro, an Italian entrepreneur. He planned to invest €20 million on a plan for restoration. Since his offer was found not to meet all the criteria, the lease was not signed. From some sources, it is understood that the sale was called off because the offer was too low. Initially, Brugnaro was against calling off the lease, but he abandoned all his intentions to go back to the island when he was voted into office as Venice’s mayor.
For a novel idea that would include “a public park, a marina, a restaurant, a hostel, and a study center,” a private company named Poveglia per Tutti in 2015 attempted to finance €25–30 million. The island remained uninhabited in 2023.
Structures and constructions
A cavana, a church, a hospital, an asylum, a bell tower, staff housing, and administrative facilities are among the island’s remaining structures. The bell tower, which was built in the 12th century, is the most noticeable building on the island. It was part of the San Vitale church, which Napoleon ordered destroyed in 1806. The tower served as a lighthouse once again.
A “Reparto Psichiatria” (Psychiatric Department) sign among the dilapidated buildings, photographed by Ransom Riggs in his May 2010 photo-essay documenting his trip to Poveglia, seems to confirm the existence of an institution on the island. But no evidence of a so-called prison seems to be found.
The island left to forests and fields is linked with the island that has buildings via a bridge. Alongside the island with the houses, though not joined, lies a third independent island that hosts the octagonal fort. The fort is constructed entirely out of an earth rampart, which is on the exterior, brick-faced.
There are at least a plague pit on the island. during 100,000 people are estimated to have died on the island over the centuries and been buried in plague pits, as a National Geographic estimate puts it.
Its structure and its rusty antiques were confirmed to remain in 2014 and 2015 news reports. These included a hospital, an institution, a prison, St. Vitale church, office, and residential structures among the decayed structures in the island.
Popular culture
There was a plague on two ships during the 18th century, following the fact that the island had been made a quarantine port for ships arriving in Venice. There are legends of dying Venetians who were waiting to die before their spirits would go back to haunt the island as the island was isolated and was used to confine people suffering from infectious diseases.
Raw lobotomies were allegedly conducted on victims as a part of a doctor’s experiment. The Travel Channel indicated in 2014 that the physician claimed to have been possessed by demons and jumped from the bell tower in the 1930s. He died afterward. Although the bell had been removed years earlier, locals insisted they could hear it decades later. Also, in that study, “Haunted History,” repairs had already started but “brutally ceased without explanation.”
Paranormal television shows Ghost Adventures and Scariest Places on Earth have both featured the island. It has been explored and showcased by YouTuber Shiey, and Yes Theory featured it in a 2019 video.
The main setting for American author Silas J. Costello’s first gothic fantasy novel, Lacrimore, which came out in 2020, is an island that bears an uncanny resemblance to Poveglia. A spooky lighthouse looms over the structures on the island of Lacrimore, which also serves as a lazaretto in the novel.
One of the islands’ visitors, an Irish YouTuber named Dara Tah, came in 2023 and stayed overnight, exploring the empty bell tower and searching for indications of the paranormal. He confirmed no ghosts present, but his endeavor was partly successful as he heard some Italian words said on the radio saying “leave,” “incident,” and “exploded.”.
1. What Is the Dark History Behind Poveglia Island?
Poveglia Island, located in the Venetian Lagoon of Italy, is shrouded in a chilling history. Originally, it was a place where people were quarantined during outbreaks of the bubonic plague in the 18th century. Thousands of individuals, many of them sick, were sent to the island to prevent the disease from spreading. It became known as the “Island of Death” due to the large number of deaths that occurred there. In fact, it’s rumored that bodies of the deceased were burned in mass pyres to prevent the plague from further spreading.
The island also housed a mental asylum for nearly 50 years, starting in the early 1900s. Reports from former patients and employees tell stories of horrific treatments, including lobotomies, cruel experimentation, and dark rituals. Some claim that the ghost of a doctor who allegedly performed these procedures haunts the island to this day, making Poveglia one of the most feared and mysterious locations in the world.
2. Why Was Poveglia Island Abandoned?
Poveglia Island’s abandonment remains one of its greatest mysteries. After its use as a quarantine station and later a mental asylum, the island was eventually closed off in 1968. The reasons behind its abandonment are unclear, but it is widely speculated that the fear and superstition surrounding the island, coupled with its gruesome history, contributed to the decision. The Italian government declared the island off-limits, and its eerie, desolate state has led to legends and tales of ghostly occurrences, only fueling its reputation.
Some locals suggest that the island became so haunted by the spirits of those who perished there that no one dared to settle or maintain it. The government, possibly fearing the increasing notoriety of the island, decided it was best to leave it untouched. However, others believe that the real reason for its abandonment may be related to the discovery of human remains during an excavation. The discovery sparked further controversy and concern, leading to Poveglia being sealed off from the public.
3. Are There Ghosts on Poveglia Island?
The idea of spirits haunting Poveglia Island is central to the island’s grim legacy. Many who have dared to visit the island report strange occurrences, like hearing disembodied voices, seeing ghostly apparitions, or feeling an overwhelming sense of dread. Some claim to have encountered the spirit of a former doctor who allegedly went mad and jumped to his death from a bell tower on the island.
The most famous legend is that of the plague victims. It is said that their souls never left the island due to the tragic way they died. Those who venture onto the island often claim to hear whispers, see shadows, and feel cold spots, all signs that the spirits of the past might still linger. Paranormal investigators have spent time on the island, but there is no concrete evidence to validate these claims, though the stories persist.
4. What Role Did the Bell Tower Play in Poveglia Island’s Mystery?
The bell tower on Poveglia Island is perhaps the most iconic and eerie part of the island. Standing tall at the center of the island, it once served as a bell that rang to signal the arrival of new victims of the plague. Today, however, the bell tower is mostly associated with the alleged suicide of a doctor who was rumored to have gone mad while working at the mental asylum. Some say he jumped to his death from the bell tower, forever cementing its connection with tragedy.
Others suggest that the bell tower was used in sinister experiments and could have served as a location for psychological tortures or even as a site for ceremonial rituals. The sheer isolation of the tower and its place in the history of Poveglia make it a focal point for paranormal activity. Visitors have reported hearing strange sounds emanating from the tower, even though it is no longer in operation.
5. What Dark Experiments Were Conducted at the Mental Asylum?
When Poveglia Island was turned into a mental asylum in the early 20th century, it became the setting for various disturbing accounts of mistreatment. Several reports from former patients and staff have surfaced over the years, suggesting that the asylum’s doctors conducted inhumane experiments on the patients. The most notorious of these was the practice of lobotomy, where doctors allegedly performed the procedure to “cure” patients without consent, often with disastrous results.
There are stories of patients being subjected to cruel and unusual methods of control, such as electroshock therapy, forced isolation, and even psychological manipulation. These dark practices allegedly led to the death of many patients, fueling rumors of a cursed and haunted island. The chilling nature of the asylum’s operations has led some to believe that the spirits of the tortured souls still haunt Poveglia.
6. Why Did Poveglia Become a Center for Plague Victims?
The history of Poveglia Island as a quarantine station during the bubonic plague is a central part of its dark legacy. When the plague reached Venice in the 18th century, the authorities used Poveglia Island to isolate the infected and prevent the disease from spreading to the mainland. It is said that hundreds of thousands of people were sent there to die, many of them never leaving.
The isolation of the island made it the perfect location to quarantine those with the plague, but the mass deaths that occurred there created an air of fear and death that continues to linger. It’s believed that many of the victims’ souls never left, and their restless spirits add to the island’s eerie atmosphere. The sheer scale of suffering and death on Poveglia has cemented its reputation as one of the most haunted places in the world.
7. Can Poveglia Island Be Visited?
Poveglia Island is currently off-limits to the public, with the Italian government forbidding entry due to safety concerns and its haunted reputation. However, there are occasional rumors of secret tours or trips arranged by curious individuals. While the island remains largely abandoned and untouched, some have managed to visit illegally, documenting their experiences of eerie sounds, strange occurrences, and an overwhelming sense of fear.
Despite the bans, the allure of Poveglia continues to draw the adventurous and the paranormal curious. Some believe that the island holds secrets yet to be uncovered, with many speculating that the island might contain hidden artifacts, human remains, or even evidence of the sinister practices that took place there. But the question remains: Is it worth the risk to explore a place so steeped in death and mystery?
8. What Is the Legend of the Doctor Who Went Mad?
One of the most famous stories surrounding Poveglia Island is that of the doctor who is said to have gone insane while working at the mental asylum. The doctor, whose name is largely unknown, is rumored to have performed numerous unethical treatments on the patients, including lobotomies and other cruel procedures. Some say that the doctor became haunted by the spirits of his patients, causing him to lose his sanity.
In a fit of madness, the doctor allegedly climbed to the top of the bell tower and threw himself to his death. Some claim that his ghost still haunts the island, particularly the bell tower where he met his tragic end. Paranormal investigators have reported strange phenomena in the tower, and many believe that the doctor’s restless spirit continues to roam the island.
9. Are There Any Attempts to Restore Poveglia Island?
Despite its history and notoriety, there have been a few attempts over the years to restore Poveglia Island and open it up to the public. Some have proposed turning it into a tourist attraction, while others have suggested that it should be preserved as a historical site. However, the haunting tales and the logistical challenges of restoring such a desolate and decaying place have made these plans largely unsuccessful.
In 2014, there were rumors that a private company was interested in purchasing the island and transforming it into a luxury resort. However, the eerie reputation of Poveglia and the island’s legal status as a protected site have made it nearly impossible for any such plans to move forward. For now, Poveglia remains an abandoned and mysterious island, its future uncertain.
10. What Secrets Might Still Be Hidden on Poveglia Island?
Despite its abandonment, Poveglia Island continues to hold many secrets, and it’s believed that there are still undiscovered relics, human remains, and artifacts hidden on the island. Given its history as a plague quarantine site and mental asylum, it’s likely that many valuable and macabre items remain buried beneath the overgrown vegetation and crumbling buildings.
Some speculate that the true extent of the island’s dark history is yet to be fully uncovered, with the secrets of its past remaining locked away. Whether there are hidden treasures, untold stories, or sinister remnants of experiments, Poveglia Island still maintains an aura of mystery and intrigue. The question of what lies beneath the surface is one that may never be answered—leaving it as one of the most captivating and unnerving mysteries in history.
