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Poveglia Island
Plague victims were burned here by the thousands. Later, a mental asylum where a doctor tortured patients before jumping from the bell tower. Italy won't let anyone visit. The soil is 50% human ash.
1348 - Present
Venetian Lagoon, Italy
500+ witnesses
Poveglia Island may be the most haunted place on Earth.
The Plague Years
According to historical records:
During the Black Death:
- Island used for quarantine
- Sick brought here to die
- Bodies burned in pits
- Over 160,000 died
- Soil is 50% human ash
The Mental Asylum
In the 1920s:
- Asylum built on island
- Terrible conditions
- A doctor performed experiments
- Lobotomies and torture
- He jumped from bell tower
The Doctor’s Fate
The legend says:
- Doctor went mad
- Saw ghosts of victims
- Threw himself from tower
- Survived the fall
- Strangled by mist (legend)
The Hauntings
Reports include:
- Screams from empty buildings
- Shadows in windows
- Plague victims appearing
- Bell tower rings itself
- Overwhelming dread
Banned from Entry
Italian government:
- Prohibits visits
- Island is dangerous
- Buildings crumbling
- But also… something else
- Few permits granted
Modern Investigations
Those who’ve visited report:
- Equipment malfunction
- EVP recordings
- Physical attacks
- Overwhelming fear
- Lasting psychological effects