Ghostly Presences

Spooky tales on shivering locations and nail-biting atmospheres come with us from the depths of time. Indeed there seems to be an invisible world around us which includes beings and entities we cannot see. Small villages or big cities, no spot is immune from these supernatural activities. But what are the Italian most arcane places? Let the journey begin!

The first stage of our 'frightening tour' brings us to Turin, Europe’s most magical city, which rises exactly where two rivers (Po and Dora) cross each other. It boasts a centuries-old esoteric tradition where a kind of file noir unravels from Palazzo Trucchi of Levaldigi, notoriously known for its Devil's door. According to the legend it was forged by the infernal flames of hell, that is why the door-knocker has been shaped after Satan's head. But the real obscure heart of the town is the fountain of Frejus in Statuto Square, once location of the gallows. It is considered as the gate of netherworld, consequently the angel statue on top of the obelisk should be the representation of Lucifer himself.

In the entangled web of mystery Montebello and Volterra are another two important capitals engulfed in darkness. The former is famous for its castle, perched on a hill in the hinterland of Rimini, in the Emilia-Romagna region. On the fortress looms the presence of Azzurrina, a child disappeared among its corridors into thin air in the 14th century. On the other side there is Volterra, nestled on a mountain top overlooking the Tuscan countryside. It has recently come into the tourist interest being the setting for one of the book of the Twilight saga, but it is the authentic town of the Volturi as its ancient relics and enigmatic symbols demonstrate.

Moving to the South of Italy a spectre lurks between the walls of the Valsinni Castle in Matera. It is the poet and peeress Isabella Morra who was killed by her brothers in the 16th century since she fell in love with a member of the opposite faction. Still now people are able to hear her moans in those rooms.

Therefore discover the obscure side of Italy, and if you are lucky you could have the chance of experiencing with your own eyes a ghostly adventure. Hence be prepared and do not forget your ghostbuster equipment!