The Haunted Island of Poveglia Gets a New Life as Public Park

Poveglia Reclaimed: Locals Turn Horror Site into Green Sanctuary

In the shimmering heart of the Venetian Lagoon, a silent isle with a spine-chilling past is poised for a dramatic transformation. Poveglia Island—long abandoned, steeped in ghost stories, and synonymous with horror—is being reclaimed not by developers, but by the very people it once served to isolate.

Starting August 1st, a collective of local Venetians will take over Poveglia under a 99-year lease, promising to turn this infamously haunted island into a public urban park. But this park comes with a twist: it’s open exclusively to residents of Venice. No tourists allowed.

A Victory for Locals in a City Under Siege by Tourism

Poveglia’s future was almost written by developers. Back in 2014, Italy’s state property agency placed the island up for public auction, seeking ways to offload underutilized government-owned properties. The hauntingly beautiful 18.5-acre island could have easily been turned into a luxury hotel or private resort—a familiar fate for many historic sites across Italy.

But for Venetians, this was one island too sacred to sell.

Enter Patrizia Vianello, a local resident who, disturbed by the island’s possible privatization, formed Poveglia per Tutti (“Poveglia for All”). The grassroots group now boasts over 4,500 members and, through tireless effort, raised €460,000 to secure the lease. In doing so, they not only preserved a unique part of their city’s heritage but also won a small battle in the larger war against overtourism.

“It wasn’t just anger—it was traumatic,” said Vianello. “It’s like if Rome decided to sell the Trevi Fountain.”

And her comparison isn’t far off. With Venice welcoming around 30 million visitors annually—despite a permanent population of fewer than 50,000—the balance between local life and global fascination is constantly under threat. Measures like cruise ship bans and tourist entry fees have barely made a dent. In this context, preserving Poveglia as a locals-only refuge is a symbolic and practical triumph.

The Chilling History of Poveglia: Four Lives of the Island

Long before becoming the subject of ghost stories and paranormal investigations, Poveglia lived four very different lives, each adding a dark new layer to its complex identity.

1. Roman Outpost and Agricultural Haven

Poveglia’s earliest known inhabitants were Roman settlers who used it as a military outpost and fishing hub during the first millennium. Its strategic position in the lagoon made it a valuable site for maritime control. By the Middle Ages, it had evolved into a modest community of farmers and fishermen, living in quiet prosperity.

2. The Plague Years

The island’s fate took a ghastly turn in the 18th century during Venice’s darkest hours—the Black Death. As the plague arrived via flea-infested ships, Poveglia was converted into a lazaretto, or quarantine station, to isolate infected individuals.

Tens of thousands of plague victims—many barely alive—were dragged to the island and left to perish. The dead were burned or buried in vast plague pits, some of which remain undisturbed to this day. According to local lore, the soil of Poveglia is nearly half human ash.

3. Psychiatric Hospital Era

In the 19th century, the island’s grim reputation deepened when it was converted into a psychiatric hospital. Little documentation remains, but rumors of inhumane treatments, lobotomies, and abusive staff have fueled decades of ghost stories. The hospital remained open until 1968, when it was shut down and abandoned.

Visitors today can still see the ruins: crumbling hospital walls overtaken by ivy, rusty wheelchairs left behind, and a decaying bell tower that once rang over the cries of the forgotten.

4. Abandonment and Ghostly Legends

Since the late ‘60s, Poveglia has stood deserted—at least by the living. With its terrifying history, it became the subject of numerous paranormal investigations and horror tales. It’s frequently referred to as “the most haunted island in the world.” American TV series like Ghost Adventures only added fuel to the fire, broadcasting alleged encounters with spirits of plague victims and institutionalized patients.

What's Next for Poveglia?

Now that the lease has been secured, the work begins. The Poveglia per Tutti group plans to carefully clear parts of the island while preserving its historical structures. Their vision is to create a natural, educational, and recreational space that serves Venetians—a sanctuary in a city overwhelmed by visitors.

While the eerie hospital buildings will likely remain untouched for safety, plans include reforestation projects, picnic areas, walking trails, and possibly small exhibitions detailing the island’s long history.

Interestingly, while Poveglia remains off-limits to tourists, the project could become a model for other Italian cities grappling with how to balance cultural preservation with local needs. Vianello and her group have made it clear: this is about reclaiming space, memory, and identity.

Fun and Haunting Facts About Poveglia Island

• 🦴 Mass Graves: Archaeologists estimate that over 100,000 people may be buried on the island. Some locals believe that digging anywhere on Poveglia will unearth human remains.
• 🧠 Lobotomy Legends: Rumors persist that a deranged doctor performed experimental lobotomies at the asylum before allegedly throwing himself from the bell tower.
• 🐇 Rabbit Haven: In contrast to its grim past, today’s island is home to a thriving rabbit population roaming the overgrown vegetation.
• 🔔 The Bell That Won’t Stay Silent: Though the bell was removed decades ago, fishermen and boaters still claim to hear it ringing on foggy nights.
• 🚫 Technically Forbidden: For years, unauthorized visits to Poveglia were illegal. Adventurous travelers occasionally hired local boaters to sneak them in—though it’s been discouraged for safety and legal reasons.

A Beacon of Hope in a City of Ghosts

Poveglia’s resurrection as a public park for locals isn’t just a new chapter for a haunted island—it’s a hopeful note in Venice’s ongoing story of survival. With rising seas, mass tourism, and depopulation threatening its future, the city needs its stories, spaces, and spirit more than ever.

By taking back Poveglia, Venetians aren’t just preserving a piece of land—they're reclaiming their right to exist in their own city. In a world that often seems for sale to the highest bidder, that’s nothing short of revolutionary.