Poveglia: Myths, Legends and More…

The island itself is regarded by many in the paranormal community as the ‘Island of Madness’. This is because it was once home to a psychiatric hospital. Prior to being an asylum for treating patients in Venice, the island of Poveglia was a ‘Lazaretto’ a quarantine centre for incoming ships as well. According to legend, a massive infection had broken out causing a plague. Many Venetians that were infected or presumed to be infected were brought to the island to either be treated or to die. The bodies were burnt and buried on the island. Years later, when the island was converted to a psychiatric facility in 1922, patients spoke of encounters with ghosts and mysterious people from an earlier time.

Adding fuel to speculation upon the island, is the belief that the island was used for secret experiments on patients. The doctor who conducted these experiments is believed to have been driven to madness by the ghosts of his dead patients that were subjected to his cruel tests.

While there have been attempts to revive the island by government and private initiatives, these attempts have largely failed for unknown reasons. According to some local fisherman they believe sailing their boats anywhere near the island could bring you bad luck. They also believe that if they were to sail near the island they would have a bad day fishing. The copious amount of tales and legends surrounding the island continue to scare and fascinate those interested in the spooky history of this forgotten island.