Place: Poveglia Island
Location: Venetian Lagoon, near Venice, Italy
Phone: Not applicable
Hours: Not open to the public
Admission: Not applicable
Website: Not available
History: Poveglia Island, situated between Venice and Lido in the Venetian Lagoon, has a history marked by various transformations. First documented in 421 AD, it served as a refuge for people fleeing barbarian invasions. The island’s population grew over the centuries, and by the 9th century, it was a thriving community.
In 1379, during the War of Chioggia, residents were evacuated, and the island was converted into a military outpost. From 1776, Poveglia functioned as a quarantine station for plague victims and later housed a mental hospital from 1922 until its closure in 1968. Since then, the island has remained uninhabited.
Hauntings: Poveglia’s turbulent past has fostered numerous legends of paranormal activity. During its time as a quarantine station, thousands of plague victims were reportedly sent to the island, leading to tales of restless spirits. Additionally, stories persist about a doctor in the mental hospital who allegedly performed inhumane experiments on patients and later died by suicide, further contributing to the island’s haunted reputation.
Personal Experiences: Due to restricted access, firsthand accounts are scarce. However, the island has been featured on paranormal television shows, where investigators have reported unsettling feelings and unexplained phenomena during their visits.
Why is Poveglia not allowed to visit?
For more than 100 years beginning in 1776, the island was used as a quarantine station for those suffering the plague and other diseases, and later as a mental hospital. The mental hospital closed in 1968, and the island has been vacant ever since.
Paranormal Activity Rating: High (Frequent activity)
For a visual exploration of Poveglia Island, you might find the following video insightful: