In the northern region of Italy, near Venice, is a small island named Poveglia, renowned for its eerie past. Poveglia is named among the most haunted places in the world, thanks to its frightening past. Today, it just sits as a relic of what it used to be, completely desolate and inhabited. This article tells the story of this island, particularly its history, why it was abandoned, and what has become of it.
History of Poveglia Island
Poveglia’s history goes back to 421 AD when it served as a refugee camp for people evading the invasions on the Italian mainland. Later, in the 14th century, the war of Chioggia ended, and the people inhabiting the island had to move to Giudecca.
In the 16th century, it was offered to monks, who declined, after which the Poveglia octagon was built in the 17th century. The island was made a checkpoint for all goods and people arriving in and departing from Venice in 1776.
It was later converted into a quarantine station or “lazaretto,” where two ships suspected of transporting the plague were detained. This island was majorly used during outbreaks of the bubonic plague as a mass quarantine area.
The infected or even suspected carriers were shipped off to Poveglia and kept in seclusion from the main population. Under extreme conditions, the island was used to dump dead bodies, with mass graves and cremation pits resorted to prevent the disease from spiraling out of control.
The approximate number of deaths on the island due to the Black Plague is over 100,000 people. As such, Poveglia got a very sinister reputation: being a place of suffering and death. Poveglia was a lazaretto from 1793 to 1814.
Poveglia Island as an Asylum for the Mentally Ill
In 1922, the island of Poveglia was converted to a mental asylum. According to local legend, such a hospital was actually used to dump undesirables into society rather than being a care facility. Stories go that conditions were not good, and patients were exposed to inhuman treatments.
One of the most popular tales is about a doctor who allegedly performed grotesque experiments on the patients, including lobotomies. It is said that he was driven insane by ghosts of former victims of the island and threw himself from the bell tower of the hospital. These stories have little historical evidence; many believe they were exaggerated or invented over time.
Poveglia was finally closed as an asylum and later a nursing home in 1968; the island was abandoned again. It is said that Poveglia was used for farming a bit later before the island was left completely abandoned.
Why Was Poveglia Abandoned?
Poveglia was abandoned for the most part because of its dark and tragic history. The last official use of the island was that of a mental asylum, which shut down in 1968.
Poveglia, as were the facilities, were shut down because conditions were generally poor. The fact that the practice of caring for people with mental illnesses was changing at the time probably also contributed to its abandonment. When the asylum shut down, there was no more reason for the island to be inhabited. It was the final nail in its coffin.
What Became of Poveglia Island After It Was Abandoned?
Since its abandonment in 1968, the island has disappeared into nothingness. The bell tower stands among the ruins of the buildings that are badly worn out on the island. It is the most prominent structure on the island and adds to the ghostliness of nature.
With such a dark past, Poveglia accumulated many stories of ghosts and legends. From restless spirits to strange noises and ghostly apparitions-across the board, the stories have been in circulation for the longest. Today, Poveglia is one of Italy’s most haunted sites and even in the world.
This reputation has lured paranormal enthusiasts and ghost hunters alike to the island. This continues despite being an utter violation of official policies regarding access to Poveglia. The majority of visitors who have managed to make it to Poveglia speak of an unnerving atmosphere.
Some attempts have been made to reuse or develop Poveglia, but none have succeeded. For instance, various proposals have been made for the island to be converted into a luxury hotel or even a tourist playground. However, the plans were halted after a combination of legal obstacles, restoration costs, and local opposition.
In 2014, the Italian government tried to auction a 99-year lease of the island of Poveglia, hoping a private developer would be willing to invest in it. A businessman by the name of Luigi Brugnaro won the auction. He planned some restoration of historic structures, but the local community and preservationists came forward in opposition. As a result, no substantial development took place.
Can You Visit Poveglia?
It is officially forbidden to visit Poveglia. However, interested parties have found a way to reach the region. The government of Italy claims Poveglia and visitors do not have very much freedom when it comes to access.
Besides overgrown vegetation, the general disrepair of the buildings also makes the island hazardous. This is another one of the reasons behind the restrictions. Unauthorized visits can, of course, result in fines if the authorities catch one.
Exceptions do occur, though. Specific individuals with special permission to enter the island, such as documentary filmmakers or researchers, are granted access. These are isolated incidents and are usually subject to special permits.