Poveglia is situated in the south of the lagoon of Venice, in front of Malamocco port. Island is composed of three connected blocks, with total area of 75,000 m². In the IX century, 200 Venetian families settled in the service of the Doge, and over the years it became a flourishing and productive residential center until it became an autonomous republic in 1378. The island today is uninhabited and it is slowly disappearing due to erosion.
It is a place full of mystery and it is frightened by Veneziani, who call this island "a place, where you never return". Most of Venetians believe Poveglia to be living and breathing heart of evil. The island during the day is beautiful and calls you to go and visit it, but during the night the place turns to be frightening. The island is closed for tourists. Entrance to Poveglia is granted only to researchers of abnormal activities. The island officially belongs to the Italian government. The island was first mentioned in 421 B.C, when people from Padova and Este fled to the isle to escape the barbarian invasions. By the 9th century the island was fully populated and it's importance grew in time. By 1378 Poveglia was autonomous with their own government.
Many wars were held there, because the barbers were interested in the people who had run there to live. Most of the wars were won by Poveglia inhabitants, until the year of 1379, when the island was attacked by Genoas, who won the war.
Poveglia was abandoned by it's natives, who found new homes in the island of Giudecca. After winning the war, government of Venice built castle-fortress Octagon on the island. Octagon is visible nowadays as well. The island was abandoned for centuries.
In 1527 doge (the ruler of Venice) offered the island to Camoldolese monks, but they refused to take the isle. In 1661 Poveglian natives were offered to get the island back, but they refused as well. In the year of 1777 the Island of Horrors was given to Magistrato alla Sanità (Public health center) and the island became one of the trading points, where people came and went with ships. By 1739 two ships were found which had people sick from plague on them and the area was turned to an infirmary, temporarily. Under the lead of Napoleon Bonaparte (French Emperor 1804-1814), 1805, the island became officially an infirmary. He ordered the tower of the San Vitale's church to be destroyed. He dictated that a lighthouse was to replace it.
1814 the infirmary was closed. In the 20th century Poveglia was used again as a dispensary. 1922 the existing buildings were re-built to elderly houses, to accommodate the older folk of Venice. In 1968 the Island of Horrors was abandoned again and it was used only for agricultural purposes for a short period of time. After the agricultural period the isle was abandoned again.
There are many legends circulating about this island. One of the tales tells, that during the Roman time, the island was used as a living cemetery. People, who were sick from the plague were taken there to die. The island was used as a living cemetery as well during the time, when Europe suffered from the plague, later called, the Black Death (1346-53). It was thought to be a very effective method to divide the sick and healthy from each other. According to fables, this island became a deathbed to about 160 000 persons.
Second tale has on good authority that this island was used as a mental hospital in the year of 1922. It's doctor tortured and killed his patients. The doctor lost his mind later on and jumped off the tower of the church. The same legend tells us that he managed to survive the jump. If you find this hard to believe, then you can't even conceive the possibility, what occurred next. Fog arose from the ground and... Strangled him to death! Superstitious folk could think that the fog hid his tortured victims that strangled him. Whatever the case may be, fact is that bones are still visible to this day. The institution was called a mansion, but evidence has proved that it was used as a mental hospital, too.
Ghost Adventures and Scariest Places on Earth are examples of interesting reality shows about the island to watch.
The island, being full of ruins, is closed to the public and it is almost impossible to gain access to it. Access to the island is granted only with specific authorizations that must be requested from Venice municipality at least 10 months before visiting Poveglia. Alternatively, if you decide to try a tour with an impalpable and dark atmosphere, you could turn to some private taxi boat. Paying around 200 euros, you will find out how superstition instantly disappears. Remember, however, to bring something with you to drink and eat, because, for obvious reasons, the island does not have anything.
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