Buzz
Italy's watery city is renowned for its romantic gondolas gracefully gliding on the waves, but there's a different Venice that will make you break into a cold sweat.
Unveiling the Eerie Charms of Venice
Beyond the iconic images that paint Venice as the epitome of a city of love, there are hidden gems rarely known to tourists. In these places, the trademark romance of Venice is elusive. Instead, you'll encounter an entirely different Venice... one that sends shivers down your spine!
* Palazzo Dario on the Grand Canal, in the eyes of locals, is a 'cursed house' not just for Venice but for all of Italy.
Since its construction in 1487, the owners of this castle have met painful deaths. Over the decades, a series of murders, suicides, and mysterious accidents have unfolded at Palazzo Dario.
The latest incident dates back to 1993, when the castle owner shot himself in the head in his private room after being implicated in corruption. Since then, the castle management has been tirelessly searching for a new buyer.
Woody Allen, a legendary Hollywood director, once intended to purchase Palazzo Dario but couldn't overcome the numerous haunting shadows of previous owners within the castle, leading to the unsuccessful transaction.
With a thick 'black file,' many curious tourists now seek out Palazzo Dario to admire this splendid castle... from a distance! Palazzo Dario only opens its doors to visitors during art exhibitions held annually in Venice.
* Poveglia, an island never at peace, is believed to be haunted by the wandering souls of over 160,000 plague-stricken individuals in Venice's history. The island also housed a mental hospital where patients incessantly complained of being... haunted!
However, local historian and novelist Davide Busato argues that there was no mental hospital on the island; it was merely a quarantine site for patients during epidemics, later transformed into a rehabilitation center and nursing home before being abandoned in 1968.
Poveglia has changed hands multiple times, but all owners fled in the face of mysterious occurrences on the island.
Despite various explanations, Casino degli Spiriti remains a haunting place in the eyes of locals, always deserted except for the occasional visitor seeking to experience the thrill of encountering a ghost!
* Arriving at the Ancient Mastelli Castle built in the 12th century, facing the canal, you'll spot three statues behind the castle. Legend has it that they are corrupt merchants, the castle's owners, cursed into stone by a Venetian woman who uncovered their deceitful plot.
Locals believe many souls still linger within the castle, and every day the bell tolls in the castle's rooms at a specific hour. Simultaneously, strange noises resembling footsteps emanate from beneath the staircase.
Moreover, the castle's windows open and close on their own even when no one is present! This supernatural phenomenon has captivated many young tourists visiting Venice...
As reported by Tuoi Tre
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Explore tips from Mytour travel guide
Discover the wonders with MytourJuly 24, 2015
