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When you picture Italy, what comes to mind? The serene canals of Venice? The picturesque landscapes of Lake Como? Or perhaps the irresistible Italian dishes—hello, carbonara! But did you know that Italy is also rich in eerie ghost stories and curious legends? From a window that insists on being left ajar to a mysteriously unhinged cat, dive into these spooky tales and bizarre myths from Italy.
10. The Ghost of Baldaccio d’Anghiari–Florence
Our first eerie tale hails from Florence and centers on the ghost of Baldaccio d’Anghiari, a mercenary soldier who lived in the early 15th century. Known for his fierce nature, Baldaccio was a soldier without allegiance, often changing sides depending on which faction paid him the most. He was considered brave, adventurous, and shrewd, working for powerful figures of his time, including the pope himself!
Yet, his notoriety and success ultimately led to his downfall. Cosimo the Elder, a prominent politician and banker, grew wary of Baldaccio’s bold and fearsome character, eventually orchestrating his murder. In September of 1441, Baldaccio was summoned to the Palazzo Vecchio under the guise of facing treason charges, only to fall victim to an ambush.
The soldier was stabbed and tossed out of a window in the Tower of Arnolfo, landing in the courtyard below. Miraculously, he survived the fall, only to be dragged to Piazza della Signoria and beheaded. His body was later buried in the Santo Spirito, and his violent death sent shockwaves through the city of Florence. Legend has it that Baldaccio d’Anghiari’s ghost still roams the halls of the Palazzo Vecchio, with strange noises echoing through the building after dark.
So, if you ever find yourself in Florence and have a taste for the paranormal, keep an eye out for the vengeful spirit of Baldaccio, still roaming in search of retribution for his gruesome murder!
9. The Unyielding Window of the Palazzo Budini-Gattai–Florence
Another chilling tale from Florence revolves around the window of the Budini-Gattai Palace, which is said to never be closed. Located across from the Palazzo Grifoni square, the legend dates back to the 16th century. It tells of a Grifoni family member who went off to war, leaving his wife behind. Grieving his absence, she spent each day gazing out the window, hoping for his return—though he never did.
She passed away as a widow, and after her death, her relatives decided to close the window she had so often gazed through. But strange phenomena soon followed—objects flew across rooms, paintings fell from the walls, and furniture shook violently. The only way to stop these disturbances was to open the window again. If you visit this Palazzo, it's wise to leave the window as it is, lest you risk facing the wrath of the haunting spirit!
8. The Mouth of Truth–Rome
Today, lie detector tests involve wires and digital graphs that track your responses. But thousands of years ago, suspected liars faced a much more chilling consequence in the form of the Bocca della Verita, or the Mouth of Truth. Believed to have originated in the 1st century, the Mouth of Truth is a massive stone disc with a frightening humanoid face carved into it, complete with hollow eyes and an ominous open mouth.
The face is thought to represent a pagan god, though its identity remains unclear. The origins of the stone disc are equally mysterious, but one legend surrounding it has persisted through the ages. It’s said that if you place your hand in the mouth and utter a lie, your hand will be swiftly bitten off! This tale likely originated during the Middle Ages when the disc was supposedly used in trials for suspected liars. If the accused placed their hand in the gaping mouth and was found guilty, a hidden executioner would sever their hand with an axe.
7. La Berta–Florence
Another well-known legend from Florence tells the eerie tale of “La Berta”—a severed head that has been mysteriously affixed to the side of the Santa Maria Maggiore Church since the Middle Ages. The origin of the head remains a mystery, and over the years, various theories have been proposed to explain its presence.
The most popular tale claims the head belongs to a woman who was turned to stone in 1326. According to the story, she was a victim of an astrologer named Cecco d’Ascoli. As d’Ascoli was paraded toward the stake to be burned for heresy, he paused to request water. Berta, watching from a church window, allegedly shouted for everyone to deny him any water.
Berta accused d’Ascoli of being an alchemist who used water to communicate with the devil, granting him immunity. In retaliation, an enraged d’Ascoli cursed her, and she was condemned to remain frozen in place forever. However, more plausible explanations for the head’s origins exist. The most likely one is that Berta’s head is actually part of an ancient Roman statue, though the locals continue to share the tale of curses and dark magic with anyone who will listen.
6. Carezzo Rainbow Lake–South Tyrol
While there are countless stunning mountain lakes around the world, few are tied to a story involving drowned rainbows and a lovesick, absent-minded sorcerer. In the South Tyrol region of Italy, a legend exists about a water nymph who inhabited the pristine waters of Lake Carezza, or Rainbow Lake.
One day, as the nymph sat by the lake, braiding her hair, a sorcerer named Masaré overheard her singing. Struck by love at first sight, he sought help from a witch to win her heart. Together, they devised a plan involving a rainbow arcing over the lake and Masaré disguising himself as a jewelry salesman.
Sadly, the clumsy sorcerer forgot to wear his disguise and was spotted by the nymph. Realizing she had been tricked, she vanished, never to be seen again. Heartbroken, Masaré, in a fit of rage, shattered the rainbow into fragments, which fell into the lake. This is believed to be the reason the rainbow’s colors still shimmer through the crystal-clear waters of Lake Carezza to this day.
5. Musciattino’s Hand–Prato
Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Prato houses a precious Marian relic, the Holy Girdle. According to Catholic tradition, this was a belt worn by the Virgin Mary, later passed on to Saint Thomas after her ascent to Heaven. In July 1312, the Holy Girdle was stolen by Giovanni di Ser Landetto, also known as Musciattino. His plan was to take the relic back to his hometown, but a thick fog descended on him, causing him to lose his way.
Confused, Musciattino accidentally found himself back at the city walls of Prato, thinking he had reached Pistoia. He demanded the gates be opened, proclaiming he had stolen the relic from Prato. Naturally, the citizens of Prato were outraged at the theft of their beloved artifact and captured Musciattino. His punishment was swift and severe—his right hand was chopped off before he was tied to a donkey and taken to the Bisenzio River.
His ordeal culminated in being burned alive, and his remains were thrown into the river. If you ever needed a cautionary tale about stealing a sacred relic, this would be it! Legend says that Musciattino’s severed right hand was flung at the cathedral, leaving behind a notorious bloody handprint. This mark can still be seen today in the left corner of the south entrance of the cathedral.
4. Palazzo Aldegatti’s Cat–Mantua
One of the more charming and unusual legends on this list is that of the cat at Palazzo Aldegatti! A life-sized cat’s head sits above the main entrance of the palazzo, having been there since 1540. The word ‘gatti’ in Italian means ‘cats,’ and this distinctive feature eventually became the family’s unofficial crest.
The whimsical story claims that the cat’s head comes to life at night, attempting to escape, and sometimes meows to garner attention. The legend likely originated from the cat’s rather irritated and somewhat deranged expression on its face!
3. The Dwarves of Villa Valmarana ai Nani–Vicenza
In the city of Vicenza, you’ll find the renowned Villa Valmarana ai Nani. The villa’s rooms are adorned with frescoes, regarded as some of the finest examples of 18th-century Venetian art. But alongside the exquisite art, the villa is also home to a famous legend.
The story goes that the owners of the villa had a daughter named Princess Layana, who was born with dwarfism. Due to this condition, her parents chose to keep her secluded within the expansive villa. They also employed only dwarves as caretakers and servants, so their daughter wouldn’t feel self-conscious about her appearance.
Soon, word spread throughout the village about the princess who had never been seen, and a curious prince decided to venture into the villa to find her. He discovered her, but upon seeing him and realizing her condition, she became so distraught that she took her own life by jumping from the tower where she had been confined. As she fell, her loyal dwarf servants transformed into stone statues. To this day, the 17 faithful, albeit slightly grotesque, dwarves can still be seen on the walls of the villa.
2. The Ghost of Fosco Loredan–Venice
Near the Rialto Bridge in Venice, you’ll find the scenic Remer Square. However, this beautiful square is the backdrop for a heartbreaking tale that unfolded in 1598. The story tells of a nobleman named Fosco Loredan, who was married to Elena Grimani, the niece of the Doge of Venice. Unfortunately, Loredan was notoriously jealous, often accusing his wife of infidelity, though she always denied the accusations.
One evening, driven by jealousy, Loredan went searching for his wife in Remer Square, convinced she was betraying him. When he found her, his rage consumed him, and he drew his sword, chasing her down. He caught up with her and, in front of a crowd—including the Doge himself—decapitated her. Immediately afterward, Loredan begged for forgiveness, insisting that it was his right to punish his unfaithful wife, but the Doge refused to pardon him.
Instead, Loredan was sentenced to carry his wife’s severed body all the way to Rome to seek the forgiveness of Pope Clement VIII. However, upon his arrival, the pope refused to see him, and Loredan was turned away, forgiveness denied. Though the guards nearly captured him, he managed to escape and returned to Venice, still carrying the body of his wife.
Upon returning to the location of his horrific crime, Loredan ended his life by throwing himself into the Grand Canal of the square. Local legend now claims that on nights when the full moon is visible and the north wind blows, Loredan’s ghost can be seen rising from the canal, still clutching Elena’s severed head.
1. The Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria–Monteleone Sabino
Hidden in the hills of Sabina is the Romanesque Santa Vittoria church, a medieval structure that houses a tale of unwavering faith and spirits. Built in the 12th century, the church stands atop a shrine dedicated to Saint Victoria, a Christian martyr from the 3rd century. After rejecting a marriage proposal from a pagan noble, Victoria was exiled to Sabina, where she became the focal point of a miraculous event.
The legend tells of a dragon that plagued the citizens of Trebula Mutuesca, only to be bravely driven away by Victoria. However, her actions led to her being exposed as a Christian, and she was executed for refusing to honor the idol of the Roman goddess Diana. The cave where she is said to have been buried once served as the dragon’s lair and is now the site of the Santa Vittoria Church.
