Poveglia and the legend of the haunted island

In the heart of the Venetian lagoon, where the water moves slowly and time seems to flow to its own rhythm, lies Poveglia: an island shrouded in mystery and legends that have long fascinated and intrigued those who love to discover hidden corners and stories suspended between reality and myth.

Known as “the island of ghosts,” Poveglia has lived through centuries of intense events. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages, but it is above all its function as a quarantine station during the terrible plague epidemics that carved into the collective imagination the mark of a place of pain and isolation. In the centuries that followed, the island became home to a psychiatric hospital—another chapter of solitude and suffering—which helped create that eerie yet magnetic atmosphere that envelops Poveglia.

Tales of mysterious presences, shadows wandering among the ruins, and indistinct sounds in the island’s silence have turned Poveglia into a kind of living legend, a destination for the curious and for lovers of paranormal stories. But beyond the folklore, there is a tangible reality: stones, ancient walls, glimpses of wild nature, and a profound bond with Venetian history and its lagoon.

For years, Poveglia was closed to the public, almost like a secret kept among the waves. Today, thanks to the passion of citizens, associations, and local administrations, the island is experiencing a new spring. The project “Poveglia per tutti” (“Poveglia for Everyone”) has obtained a six-year concession for part of the island, with the goal of returning it to the community as a public park. The aim is to enhance its historical and natural heritage, offering spaces for culture and environmental education—transforming a place of ancient shadows into a symbol of rebirth.

Visiting Poveglia today means immersing yourself in a suspended atmosphere, walking among ruins steeped in memory, and breathing the salty air that tells stories of life, death, and hope. It is an invitation to look beyond appearances and to discover the beauty that can arise even from the darkest folds of the past.

At Relais Alberti, we follow this path of transformation closely and invite you to join us, letting yourself be fascinated by the magic of an island that—between myth and reality, mystery and nature—is ready to live again, to speak once more to those who know how to listen.
Poveglia awaits you for a unique and authentic experience in the heart of our lagoon.