Italy is celebrated for its sun-drenched coastlines, Renaissance art, and world-class cuisine. But behind the charm lies a darker, more mysterious world—ancient castles that echo with whispers of betrayal, murder, and centuries-old curses. These aren’t just architectural relics; they’re places where the air grows cold, shadows move strangely, and ghostly presences are said to linger.
If you dare explore these places, just make sure you don’t go alone.
1. Castello di Montebello (Emilia-Romagna) – The Ghost of Azzurrina
Nestled in the hills of Rimini, Castello di Montebello looks picturesque at first glance—but it’s considered one of the most haunted places in Italy. The legend dates back to 1375, when Guendalina Malatesta, known as Azzurrina due to her pale blue eyes and hair, vanished without a trace while playing in the castle’s corridors during a storm. Her body was never found.
Locals say that every five years on the summer solstice, eerie sounds—like a child crying—echo through the halls. Paranormal researchers have recorded unexplained noises, leading many to believe Azzurrina’s ghost still searches for her way home.
2. Castello di Poppi (Tuscany) – The Lady in the Tower
Poppi Castle, perched in the rolling Tuscan hills, is a medieval marvel with a dark legend. Matelda, a beautiful and manipulative noblewoman, is said to have lured young lovers to the tower—only to have them killed afterward so they wouldn’t reveal their affairs. Eventually, the townspeople revolted, locking her in the tower where she died.
Visitors today report cold drafts, disembodied whispers, and fleeting visions of a pale woman looking out from the tower window—especially on moonlit nights.
3. Castello di Fumone (Lazio) – Prison of a Pope
Located near Rome, Castello di Fumone served as a prison for Pope Celestine V, who abdicated in 1294 and was later imprisoned by Pope Boniface VIII. Celestine died under suspicious circumstances—possibly murdered.
But that’s not the only ghost here. A small mummified child, said to be the “eternal infant” of the castle’s noble family, is also believed to haunt the halls. Visitors describe chilling encounters, with sudden drops in temperature and the sound of tiny footsteps echoing through empty rooms.
4. Castello di Bardi (Emilia-Romagna) – Love Turned Tragic
Built on a rocky outcrop, Castello di Bardi is a fortress with a tragic love story. In the 15th century, a knight named Moroello was killed in battle. His lover, Soleste, believing he had died in defeat, threw herself from the castle walls. When Moroello returned to find her dead, he took his own life.
It’s said that their spirits remain. Visitors report seeing a shadowy knight pacing the ramparts and hearing sobs near the tower from which Soleste jumped.
5. Castello di Azzurrina (Marche) – The Screaming Tower
Not to be confused with Montebello, this lesser-known castle in the Marche region shares a similar tale: a noble child with albinism, shunned by her family, died mysteriously within the castle walls. Locals claim her screams can still be heard during thunderstorms, and strange lights are often seen near the tower after dark.
The air in the tower is said to feel heavy and oppressive—so much so that several paranormal investigators have cut their visits short.
6. Castello di Moncalieri (Piedmont) – The Grieving Duchess
Home to numerous royal residents, Moncalieri Castle near Turin is a splendid building with a haunted reputation. The most famous ghost is Princess Maria Clotilde of Savoy, known for her unhappy arranged marriage. After her death, her grieving energy is said to have remained.
Guards report mysterious cold spots, flickering lights, and the lingering scent of her perfume. Some claim to see a figure pacing in the chapel at night, dressed in 19th-century mourning attire.
7. Castello di Fosdinovo (Tuscany) – The Ghost Bride
This 12th-century castle boasts dramatic towers—and a chilling legend. Malaspina, a young noblewoman, fell in love with a stable boy. Her family, outraged by the forbidden romance, bricked her into a wall alive, possibly with her lover. When recent renovations uncovered a walled-in skeleton and horse remains, the legend gained terrifying credibility.
Guests staying overnight often report hearing scratching on the walls, hoofbeats in the courtyard, and the sensation of being watched while sleeping.
8. Castello Aragonese (Ischia) – Echoes of Imprisoned Souls
The stunning Aragonese Castle on the island of Ischia was once a prison for monks and political enemies. Centuries of suffering within its stone walls have left their mark.
Visitors hear chanting with no source, see flickering candles that weren’t lit, and feel unexplained chills. Some even report seeing a black-robed figure wandering the corridors at night. Despite the castle’s beauty, there’s an undeniable weight to its history.
9. Castello di Savoca (Sicily) – The Cursed Fortress
Savoca, a small Sicilian town made famous by The Godfather, has its own spectral tales. Its Norman castle, now in ruins, is said to be cursed by an old baron who practiced black magic. His ghost allegedly curses those who enter without permission.
Locals avoid it after dark, and legends speak of sudden illness, bad luck, or terrifying nightmares experienced by trespassers. Some hikers who camped nearby have claimed to hear drums and chants at midnight.
10. Castello di Ursino (Sicily) – The Silent Watcher
Once a royal residence, this 13th-century fortress in Catania now houses a museum. But after dark, its halls are far from lifeless. Stories tell of a “silent watcher”—a spectral figure dressed in medieval armor who stands at the top of the main stairwell, unmoving and unspeaking.
Night guards have refused to work alone in certain sections, citing cold gusts, ghostly whispers, and a pressure on their chests that makes breathing difficult. Some believe the knight is a former guard, still patrolling the castle centuries after death.
Italy’s Haunted History
Italy’s haunted castles are more than just historic buildings—they are emotional archives of grief, passion, betrayal, and tragedy. Their walls have witnessed secrets that were never meant to be revealed, and some say the souls that lived—and died—within them have never truly left.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, stepping into one of these castles alone is bound to leave you with more than just a shiver. Because in Italy, even beauty can be haunted.
