The Legends that Surround Proveglia Part ll

Photo: Ransom Riggs

In Part l of this post I discussed the darker history of Proveglia Island located in the lagoon near the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy and why it is most likely haunted. In part, this history has resulted in several traditional legends being connected to the island for centuries. But in more recent years several television shows have sensationalized the island’s story into almost mythical proportions.

These stories have gotten so out of hand tourists are no longer allowed to visit Proveglia. Another result is the locals these days deny the islands history *--the only thing they mention is that in the 1960s the island was used as an “elderly home.” Actually these residents were indigents or homeless. In 1968 this institution was closed and it was the last time the island was inhabited.

It is true that the island in the 20^th century housed a mental institution. A traditional legend recounts the story of a “mad” doctor at this hospital who tortured his patients with the hopes of becoming famous. More recently, it has been stated he performed lobotomies using crude tools, such as, hand drills, chisels and hammers. It is also stated this doctor went insane when the spirits of the patients he killed started to haunt him. He then climbed the islands’ bell tower and jumped. He did not die but as he lay on the ground a white mist engulfed him and choked him to death.

This mad doctor’s ghost is said to still haunt the island--specifically the bell tower.

Photo: Ransom Riggs

One part of the traditional legend is that the mental patients who were confined on Proveglia often reported hearing what they felt were the spirits of plague victims moaning and screaming at night. This was brushed off until staff members also heard these strange sounds. The islands’ bell tower, which is the only section that still stands of an old church, is also heard ringing at night.

As mentioned in Part l of this post--hundreds of thousands of plague victims died on the island and were hastily buried. This story is dark enough but recent myths have exaggerated it. It is stated that the ashes of the plague victims who were burned still cover the island’s ground. This is not true.

Vineyards grow on the island today and one writer even stated that these human ashes help the grapes to grow. Taking this legend to the next level it was mentioned that it should make people think twice before drinking wine made from these grapes. The more traditional lore just states that the islands food supply was once grown near some of these graves.

Photo: Ransom Riggs

A recent legend is that fishermen do not fish near the island afraid they will catch “human bones” in their nets. In reality modern day fisherman fish the beautiful teal waters near the island-- their nets can be seen flung off one of the islands’ canal docks

The Venetian government today owns Proveglia but at one point it was in the hands of a private owner. Another recent story states that one family who intended to buy the island as a holiday home decided to visit. But it is stated they left in the middle of the night. They would not talk about why they left in such a hurry but their daughter had to have fourteen stitches on her face.

People who have had the opportunity to visit the island state that there is a strong air of sadness. The recent legend ramps this up and states that evil lurks in every corner. One group of visitors supposedly upon entering the old hospital heard a loud voice order them “to get out.”

Another story is that a group of psychics upon visiting the island announced that the activity they felt was so dark they would never return. Similar stories circulate about people who have snuck on the island--they state they will never return.

Photo: Ransom Riggs

As a result many Venetians believe these myths so it is actually hard to find local boat owners that are willing to travel to the island--this is especially true with the ban that has been put in place.

Many feel the island is haunted--after all it experienced incredible human suffering but this real activity is low key in comparison to the legends that are told.

* The bars that covered the mental hospital's windows can still be found stacked on the ground near this rotting building. 

Venice’s Proveglia Island Part l

This island is just one of several islands located in the Venetian lagoon. Today, tourists are not allowed on Proveglia. The legends that surround this “infamous” island have continued to become more and more exaggerated over the years. 

It is often stated Poveglia is the most haunted spot in all of Italy. This island’s very dark history does point to the fact that it is probably haunted but this activity is so interwoven with legend it is difficult to separate the two.

The Medieval Venetians were ahead of the curve in Europe when it came to public health and sanitary laws--this is impressive since at this time people didn’t know much about germs and how they spread. When the Black Plague hit Europe in the 16^th century Venice already had been using the island of Proveglia to quarantine * travelers who entered the lagoon on ships that had signs of plague. 

When the Black Plague reached Venice it is estimated that over 50,000 people ** who were stricken with this terrible disease were forced to stay on the island. When they died they were buried on the island. Combined with earlier outbreaks of plague in the late 15^th century the island altogether has over 160,000 victims buried in its soil. ***

At the time of the Black Plague conditions in the islands hospital called Lazzaretto Vecchio were horrendous. This 16^th century plague was much more deadly than previous outbreaks. About 500 people a day died on the island.

Photo: Ransom Riggs

According to 16^th century Venetian chronicler, Rocco Benedetti:

“The sick lay three or four in a bed. Workers collected the dead all day and threw them in graves without a break. Often the dying ones and the ones too sick to move or talk were taken for dead and thrown on the piled corpses.” ***

Despite this large number of dead Venice because they isolated the sick lost just one third of their population to the plague. In comparison other areas around Europe where almost completely wiped out. 

Proveglia's few lucky patients that survived were taken to a nearby island's Lazzaretto Nuovo to convalesce.

* The word quarantine was first coined and used in Venice.

**Venice at this time was a world trade center so archaeologists who have studied the remains state they represent many cultural backgrounds including African and Asian. 

Photo: Ransom Riggs

*** On Proveglia in the late 15^th century plague victims were buried in neat rectangular trenches wrapped carefully in white sheets. But the 16^th century plague created so many victims that the Monatti or corpse handlers were overwhelmed. They dug holes and unceremoniously dumped the bodies in. When these pits became full they started to burn the bodies.

In Part ll of this post entitled, "The Legends that Surround Proveglia Part ll" I share both the traditional and more recent "exaggerations" told about this island being haunted.

Update: This island is now up for sale.