Poveglia Island - Italy

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Do you believe in ghosts? Do you know what happens when you are not watching…have you ever experienced something strange and unexplainable? In the fast-paced world we live in, we don’t have much time to read thick horror books or watch movies. So there are some haunted places, where you won,t feel amazed to go ....

In the Venice Lagoon between Venice and Lido, sits the small island of Poveglia. Inhabited since 421, when mainlanders fled to seek refuge from the invaders, Poveglia’s population began to dwindle centuries later, and by the 14th century the island was completely abandoned. As with many small islands in Europe during the Bubonic Plague outbreak in the 14th century, the island became a quarantine colony. Many Venetians were sent here to die, their dead infected bodies being burned on giant pyres. This was also the case in 1630, when the Black Death swept through Venice.

The site was apparently used to as a mental asylum during the 1800’s, however many sources state that this simply is not the case. Stories persist though of ill treatment, and experimental procedures being carried out in building. During 1930 a doctor is believed to have committed suicide, jumping to his death from the bell tower.  From the mid-20th century up until 1975 when it was closed, Poveglia hospital was used as geriatric centre.

Today the whole island is abandoned, and it’s believed that many locals dare not step foot on the island for fear of being cursed. Fisherman also refuse to fish in the area for fear of dragging up human remains.

The ghosts of the patients and victims of disease are said to haunt the island and its buildings. Voices and screams are often heard, with EVP’s often captured. Dark fleeting shadows are often witnessed, and possessions have been reported. Ghost Adventures very own Zak Bagans was apparently possessed during the crew’s visit a few years ago, when he suddenly became over-run by rage. As soon as people step fot on the island they begin to feel an oppressive evil feeling, often departing in absolute terror.