Ghosts may not be the first thing that one associates with Tuscany but if you have been considering an October getaway in Tuscany then you will discover that, naturally, a part of the world with such a rich and complex history is full of tales of spooky encounters and terrible tragedies. History is very much alive (and undead) in Tuscany, with lots of places looking as though they have been left almost entirely untouched by the passage of time for centuries. These time capsules, these preserved historic city centres, ancient palaces, creepy yet lovely castles, and other remnants of times past make for the most atmospheric of surroundings and the most likely candidates for frightening and supernatural experiences. So, if you have always wanted to enjoy the delights, culinary treats, pretty scenery, incredible museums and tourist attractions of the region and much more besides and you are also fond of Hallowe’en adventures and creepy stories, then get browsing our Tuscany villas today! The ghosts of Tuscany’s intriguing past are just waiting to welcome you to this extraordinary part of the country.
But who exactly is it that awaits you? Well, we have compiled a handy list of some of Tuscany’s most haunted spots and famous spooky tales to act as a creepy backdrop to your vacation in Tuscany. These are the ghosts, haunted castles, witches, and devils to seek out as you explore the region...
Palazzo Vecchio’s Vengeful Spectre And Other Florentine Ghost Tales
For those who find a luxury villa in Florence, a visit to the historic city hall that is the Palazzo Vecchio may already be on the cards as it is a key tourist attraction and influential architectural gem. The impressive fortress located right in the centre of the city is today a museum of the history of the building itself and the city and houses astounding architectural details and decorative elements as well as an incredible collection of artworks and other objects by famous names including Vasari, Michelangelo, Giambologna, Botticelli, Donatello, Verrocchio, and more. However, in addition to these fascinating works of art and other details within the building and museum, the Palazzo Vecchio is also supposedly home to several ghosts. One, in particular, is especially active and well-known, a medieval nobleman and noted warrior named Baldaccio d’Anghiari who was falsely accused of treason and then murdered inside the palazzo in 1441. Said to have been stabbed and then thrown out a window, likely on the orders of Cosimo del Vecchio, he is said to now haunt the building, appearing as a furious man. As he is known to be an angry ghost, there are rules that those who find themselves in the building after dark are told to adhere to for their own safety. These include: not saying his name without reason, certainly not shouting it, speaking with respect, and doing so in a low voice. If you follow all of these rules, then you will be safe but you may end up with a frightening surprise! This happened in the most famous sighting of Baldaccio in 2001, when a couple celebrating their anniversary took a photo outside the building and found the image of a shouting and terrifying man looking out of a window in the background of the photograph.
Some other spots that are said to be haunted and can be visited if you find a villa with pool in Florence and are spending time exploring the city include the nearby 8th century Church of Santa Maria Maggiore with a weird stone head that emerges from the northern wall and is said to be the real head of a woman cursed by a man who she shouted at as he was being brought to be executed for witchcraft. There is also the Palazzo Budini-Gattai, which has a second floor window permanently left open for a ghost who continues to await her husband's return and who is said to shake and throw objects about the room if it is ever closed over.
Another palace that can be seen on vacation in Florence and that continues to be haunted by the distraught ghost of a lover is the Palazzo di Bianca Cappello on Via Maggio, where the spectre of the famous Venetian beauty Bianca Cappello roams in search of her husband, Francesco I de' Medici (later the Grand Duke of Tuscany). Married secretly and causing great scandal, they died by arsenic poisoning eleven years after their union, probably killed by Francesco’s own brother who also had Francesco buried with his previous wife and Bianca in a common grave elsewhere. Bianca now is said to remain in the building, roaming about in search of her husband from whom she was separated in death.
The spookiest place that one can visit on holiday in Florence, however, is the Pensione Burchianti, a well-respected hotel in the heart of the city that is considered one of the most haunted hotels in Europe. Endless tales of ghostly encounters and hauntings that would make your hair stand on end come from this building including stories of a ghostly little girl giggling in the corridors, an old lady spotted knitting in a chair in the corner of rooms, eyes peering at guests from the shadows, and more. Those who have worked in the hotel have been so frightened that its previous owner insisted on leaving with all of the female staff members at 6pm sharp and only night watchmen were left to remain on the premises overnight. Perhaps too scary to actually stay in but certainly worth a visit and maybe enjoying a drink there while you stay in a much more relaxing villa in Florence!
Castello Brolio’s Spirits And Wines
While Florence is always a good idea, if you happen, instead, to be interested in a luxury villa in Chianti and a vacation filled with excellent wines and some ghost stories, then you should plan a trip to the lovely Castello Brolio during your stay in this wine region of Tuscany. An architectural gem that looks like something from a fairytale and boasts incredible views over the rolling green landscapes of this part of the country, you can come and tour the castle and the winery on the estate, taste some excellent Tuscan wines, and learn all about the ghosts that haunt this beautiful place. Because, while it is pretty as a picture, Castello Brolio is also said to have a bit of a ghost issue. Ghostly dogs and other apparitions have been spotted throughout the building and estate but the most famous figure who has appeared time and time again is the fearsome Bettino Ricasoli. Born in 1809, he was the next in line and inherited the castle in the 19th century. A powerful figure in the Chianti region, he became known as the Iron Baron and terrified those who worked for him, banning anyone from greeting him with small talk. After he died of a heart attack in 1880, his angry ghostly figure began to be spotted immediately as he was said to have been damned and to have returned to terrify others. So, if you’re planning on visiting after dark, you may well be in need of a glass of wine!
More Spooky Castles Around Tuscany
Poppi is considered one of the most beautiful villages in the already scenic and lovely Tuscany but it is also home to another castle that is said to be haunted. A must-see for those who find a villa in Casentino, Poppi Castle is haunted by the ghost of the gorgeous Matilda, who was married off at a young age to an old and powerful man of the Guidi family. Unhappy with her marriage and jealous of the freedoms of the common people, she had eligible bachelors sent to the castle to do chores or entertain her. Afterwards, they would spend the night before ultimately being pushed into a pit filled with broken glass and blades that was hidden under a trapdoor. Soon enough, the numbers added up and Matilda was rumbled when the townspeople stormed the castle. As punishment for her evil acts, she was bricked into a tower and left to starve. Now Matilda is often spotted around the castle – a beautiful and terrifying ghost!
Another haunted castle with a famously frightening fiend as an inhabitant that you should visit if find a villa in Siena, meanwhile, is Crevole Castle. Home to the Howling Bishop, this castle was once the residence of the living Donosdeo Malavolti, a bishop of the province and the site of many battles over land between Siena and Florence. A fearsome figure, he defended his lands and wielded armies intensely and to very bloody effect. Ultimately, however, he died in a siege by the Florentines and they took control. When they decided to try and dismantle the castle so that it could never be used against them in battle again, the ghostly bishop reappeared and chased them all off. No one was brave enough to risk living in the castle for a long time afterwards and the Howling Bishop continues to be spotted to this day.
Finally, those who find a vacation rental in Pisa will find another haunted castle in the town of Lari, the Castello dei Vicari. An unusual-looking fortress perched atop the village, it is now a tourist attraction but has been variously a noble home and a prison throughout its existence. Of those who were imprisoned within its walls, the most memorable figure was Gostanza da Libbiano, a 60-year-old woman who was accused of witchcraft and though cleared of the charges, was horribly tortured and had her life ruined. After dying, she is said to have returned to the site of her pain and has been spotted haunting the castle by numerous people throughout the centuries. Several other ghosts are also rumoured to frequent the building. Now open as a museum with guided tours, visitors can see the court and torture rooms where horrors took place and there are often special spooky events around Hallowe’en.
Other Terrifying Creatures In Tuscany
Speaking of witches, those who find a holiday rental in Lucca, can head for a hike in the beautiful and scenic Apuan Alps and make their way to Monte Matanna, in particular, which local legends say was once a favoured spot for witches. A strange-shaped rock that they are thought to have used as a table for sacrificing victims and performing magic can be spotted under a large natural arch along the path from Matanna to Mount Procinto. To this day, some locals will warn you off heading to the area by night as a frightening creature is said to guard a hidden treasure that has never been uncovered on the mountain.
The scariest being of all that one could dream of encountering, meanwhile, is the devil and he is also said to have appeared in Lucca in the town of Borgo a Mozzano on what is now called the Ponte Del Diavolo (or Devil’s Bridge). The legend goes that when a master builder who had promised to build a bridge on the spot realised he could not finish in time, the devil appeared in the guise of a businessman and made a deal to finish it overnight. The deal said he would do it in exchange for the soul of the first person to cross but a pig was sent over instead and the devil was furious at being tricked and never appeared there again. Today, the town plays host to a massive and famous festival each year around Hallowe'en that features a costume contest, fireworks, live music, a market, tours, and more.
So, if you’re interested in a spooky getaway in Tuscany then be sure to seek out these fascinating spots... if you dare!
