Halloween in Italy: mysteries, legends and spooky places
In Italy, Halloween is not a traditional holiday like in the United States, but in recent years it has become an increasingly popular occasion to have fun, take part in themed events, and enjoy atmospheric experiences between the end of October and early November. Beyond carved pumpkins and costume parties, our country holds a unique heritage of stories, legends, ghosts, and mysteries rooted in its long history.
I must admit that Halloween has always been one of those holidays I wished I could truly experience, but growing up in Italy I never fully felt its spirit. Here it isn’t a traditional celebration, yet Italy offers countless places, tales, and legends with a “spooky” charm worth discovering at this time of year.
It’s worth remembering that October 31 is not a holiday in Italy: what is celebrated here is November 1 (All Saints’ Day), followed by November 2 (All Souls’ Day). These days are dedicated to religious traditions and to visiting loved ones at cemeteries. However, this time of year is always a moment of rest and vacation: November 1 is a national holiday, and many Italians take the opportunity to travel or join events. And so, Halloween night has increasingly become an occasion for parties, getaways, and themed experiences.
Cities like Milan, Turin, Palermo, Venice, Florence, and Rome have always been filled with mysterious stories, legends, and places steeped in esoteric charm. However, for this article I chose not to focus only on big cities, but also to highlight smaller villages and hidden gems: little towns that, with their “spooky treasures,” bring to life a heritage often forgotten.
In this article, I’ll take you through 5 spooky places in Italy, perfect for a guided journey into mysteries and legends during the days of Halloween. An alternative trip for those who love to be fascinated by the darker side of our history.
Venice – between legends and ghosts in the city on the water
Venice is the Italian city I feel most connected to, and perhaps that’s why I decided to begin our journey here. With its thousand-year-old history, palaces mirrored in the lagoon, and alleys wrapped in mist, Venice has long been the keeper of legends and ghost stories that still fascinate and frighten.
One of the most iconic and mysterious places in the lagoon is without doubt Poveglia Island. Over the centuries it was used as a quarantine station during epidemics, later turned into a psychiatric hospital, around which many unsettling stories circulate. Patients reportedly claimed to see shadowy figures, and even the hospital’s director is said to have died under mysterious circumstances. Today, Poveglia remains abandoned and desolate: no guided tours are available and its buildings are unsafe, but those who wish can reach it by private boat—though no one will accompany you inside.
But Venice is not just Poveglia. Within its alleys and palaces, ghostly tales tied to its noble and shadowy past abound. It is said, for instance, that the ghost of Marin Faliero, the doge beheaded for treason in 1355, still wanders the halls of the Doge’s Palace. Or that Ca’ Dario, the so-called “cursed palace” on the Grand Canal, has brought tragic fates to many of its owners.
Walking through Venice on autumn evenings, as fog cloaks the canals, is already an evocative experience. But knowing the legends behind its places makes the city even more fascinating… and a little haunting.
Turin – the magical city of esotericism and mysteries
Turin is considered one of the most mysterious cities in Italy, often referred to as the “magical city.” For centuries it has been associated with legends of esotericism, mysticism, and even Satanism. Its particular geographical location has only fueled these beliefs: Turin is said to lie at the intersection of two magical triangles – the triangle of white magic with Lyon and Prague, and the triangle of black magic with London and San Francisco.
As you wander through its squares and historic palaces, you sense an atmosphere that blends Baroque elegance with an aura of mystery. Some places, in particular, are wrapped in darker legends:
Piazza Statuto is considered the “black heart” of the city. In Roman times it was the site of executions, and today it hosts the Frejus monument, topped by a statue of Lucifer. Many believe this is where the energy of black magic concentrates.
By contrast, Piazza Castello, especially around the Royal Palace and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, is said to be the center of “white magic,” a place of positive and spiritual energy.
Among the most unsettling buildings is Palazzo Trucchi di Levaldigi, also known as the “Devil’s Palace.” According to legend, in the 1600s a bricked-up door suddenly appeared here, said to be the work of the devil himself.
And then there’s the tale of the White Lady, a ghost said to appear at night near the Valentino Castle. Popular lore describes her as the restless spirit of a young woman who died tragically, destined to wander the castle forever.
The number of mysteries linked to Turin is so vast that today the city is also famous for its esoteric night tours, which guide visitors through the hidden secrets of monuments and alleys in the historic center. Turin is not only a capital of Baroque art and culture, but also a city where history and legend intertwine, making it one of the most fascinating – and unsettling – places to visit for Halloween.
Triora (Liguria) – the witches’ town
Hidden among the Ligurian mountains, Triora is known as the “City of Witches.” This medieval village, with its narrow streets, stone houses, and spectacular views over the Argentina Valley, preserves one of the darkest and most fascinating chapters of Italian history: in the 16th century, Triora was the site of one of the most famous witch trials, which led to the persecution of dozens of women accused of practicing magic.
Historical records tell that, during a period of famine, the townspeople – driven by fear and desperation – sought a scapegoat. Many women, often poor and alone, were accused of making pacts with the devil and causing misfortune to the community. Some were imprisoned, others tortured in the village’s underground chambers, and Triora soon became known as the “Italian Salem.”
Even today, traces of this dark past are visible and strongly felt. Walking through the historic center, one can encounter shadowy alleys, stone arches, and mysterious signs that recall a time when superstition and fear governed daily life. One of the most evocative spots is Cabotina, the district where, according to tradition, the alleged witches lived.
Today, Triora has transformed this legacy into a vital part of its cultural identity. Symbols, murals, and decorations reference the magical world, while the Ethnographic and Witchcraft Museum preserves documents, objects, and testimonies from that dark period.
Every year, especially at Halloween, the village comes alive with events, reenactments, and esoteric-themed markets. Medieval streets fill with soft lights, performances, and guided tours recounting the witches’ stories, creating an atmosphere suspended between fairy tale and nightmare.
Visiting Triora is like stepping back in time, into a place where the line between history and legend blurs, and where a lingering aura of mystery still pervades. A village that, thanks to its “enchanted” charm, has become an unmissable stop for anyone fascinated by the occult and the legends that continue to live in the heart of Liguria.
Montebello Castle (Rimini) – the mystery of Azzurrina
Among Italy’s most famous and unsettling castles is Montebello Castle, near Rimini. This medieval fortress, surrounded by imposing walls and perched on a hill with sweeping views of the surrounding valleys, is the stage for one of the country’s most renowned and eerie legends: that of little Azzurrina.
According to tradition, Azzurrina was the daughter of Ugolinuccio Malatesta, born an albino at a time when such traits were considered dark omens, often associated with witchcraft or misfortune. To protect her, her mother would dye her hair with natural herbs, but due to her unusual pigmentation, the color reflected a bluish shimmer, earning her the affectionate nickname “Azzurrina.”
It is said that in 1375, during a violent summer storm, the child was playing inside the castle under the watch of two guards. As she chased a cloth ball down into the dungeons, she suddenly vanished without leaving any trace. Despite frantic searches, neither her body nor any sign of her was ever found. The guards, terrified, claimed she had been “swallowed by the darkness.”
From that day on, legend has it that Azzurrina’s ghost reappears every five years on the summer solstice. Strange recordings captured during paranormal investigations inside the castle seem to contain cries, whispers, or even faint laughter, fueling the mystery. Many visitors swear they have felt an inexplicable chill in the underground passages, as though a presence were still wandering restlessly.
Today, the castle is open to guided tours both by day and by night, allowing visitors to relive centuries of history while immersing themselves in the legend. The story of Azzurrina continues to fascinate, terrify, and move thousands of people who climb up to Montebello each year. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, walking through the dimly lit halls of the fortress, with its heavy stones and ancient echoes, makes it easy to imagine the fleeting shadow of a little girl still searching for her ball.
A perfect destination for anyone seeking not only a breathtaking medieval castle but also a chilling encounter with one of Italy’s most haunting and unforgettable legends.
Benevento – the city of witches
Known since antiquity as the city of witches, Benevento is a place where myth and legend intertwine seamlessly with history. Already during the Lombard era, tales circulated of witches gathering here on nights of sabbath, dancing around a great walnut tree and performing magical rites under the moonlight. The walnut itself became so famous that it entered Italian folklore as a symbol of dark powers and forbidden knowledge.
For centuries, the town stood at the heart of popular superstition, so much so that the expression “witches of Benevento” spread throughout the peninsula. These stories described nocturnal processions, spells cast at crossroads, and shadowy figures flying across the night sky. Many of these legends likely stemmed from Benevento’s unique mix of pagan traditions and Christian influences, which gave birth to a culture both fascinating and unsettling.
Even today, its historic center breathes this mysterious aura. Strolling among Roman ruins, medieval churches, and narrow alleys, one can spot arcane symbols and hear echoes of old traditions whispered in the collective memory of the city.
One tangible legacy is the world-famous Strega liqueur, created in Benevento in the 19th century. With its golden color and blend of herbs, the drink was named after the witches who made the town legendary, and it continues to embody this union of myth and reality.
During Halloween or any autumn evening, walking through Benevento feels like stepping into a living legend: a city where witches, rituals, and mysteries are not confined to the past, but remain an integral part of its cultural identity. For travelers drawn to the mystical and the uncanny, Benevento offers not just stories, but a true immersion into Italy’s most enduring folklore.
Italy is a country that never ceases to surprise: behind its art, landscapes, and traditions lies a darker side, made of legends, ghosts, and stories handed down through the centuries. Visiting these places during Halloween means living unique experiences that combine culture, folklore, and eerie fascination.
If you too are intrigued by this hidden side of Italy, there’s no better time than late October to explore these destinations. And if you’d like an even more special experience, feel free to contact me: I’ll be happy to organize a tailor-made guided tour through Italy’s mysteries and legends, for a truly unforgettable Halloween.
Write to me at dolceitalyescape@gmail.com for more information or to start planning your adventure.
