Venetian Lagoon, Venice

Experience the Wonders of the Venetian Lagoon

Overview

Discover Venetian Lagoon: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel

The mythical and abandoned island of Poveglia in the lagoon

When thinking of the island of Poveglia, thoughts that come to mind are: A haunted stories, dump spot for victims of the plague in the 20th century, and multiple cases of total abandonment and remigration.

Poveglia is a small island located in the Venetian lagoon in Northern Italy. The island is divided in two and is connected by a small canal. This island unlike all the others in the Venetian lagoon has a very particular history. A history that has been for years captivating to those who like a good haunt story or some adrenaline of the like.

Its history supposedly dates back all the way to the year 421 when the people from and Este moved there in order to escape from the barbarian invasions. From there on, multiple events took place that today formed a haunting reputation for this particular island based on many rumors confirmed or yet to be confirmed.

Among many stories told about this island, they claim that this island was once used as a quarantine station for ships going to to do trading businesses. As the plague became once again a serious issue in the 20th century, they used the island of Poveglia as a quarantine station where ships had to remain at for forty days while they were being inspected for plague infection. The Venetians used this as a method to prevent further spreading of plague on the main land.

Only those who received a clean bill of health were allowed to proceed and land in . This is also the moment where the word "quarantine" was invented. The ships unfortunately detected with plague were evacuated and left on this island to wait for their own death together with those brought from for the same reason.

As the numbers grew more and more, a mental hospital was established on the island in the hopes to cure the ones who were mentally ill.

The doctor and founder of this mental hospital carried out, besides many recovery treatments, some experiments on the patients including crude lobotomies, which was a highly cruel procedure.

Rumors say that, this psychiatrist threw himself from the island's bell tower after claiming to be driven mad by the same ghosts of the ones who suffered to death from the plague and his cruel experiments.

According to historic estimates, 1500.000 people died on this island over the years. As a result they say, that the soil of Poveglia largely consists of human remains. In 1968 everything got closed down and the island was once again abandoned. After this, thanks to its haunted reputation many film makers became interested in Poveglia as an ideal location for movie sets. Ghost Adventures was a well-known show that was shot on the island. Rumors say that the director also claimed to be briefly driven mad by the ghosts there.

Now, due to the hefty debt of Italy, the state decided to put the island off for auction in the hopes that someone will take it over, restore it, and convert the psychiatric center into a luxury hotel.

Plan Your Experience

Explore Venetian Lagoon

Our own photographs

Venetian Lagoon Through Our Eyes

Photographed during our own travels and research, these images follow the journey through Venetian Lagoon, from the first view of the landscape to the small details that give the place its character.

Experience the best of Venice Lagoon with Italy Vacation Specialists

Beautiful Venetian Lagoon - Photo by Jesse Andrews

Bird View of Poveglia

Archeological Digs and Human Remains on Poveglia

Experience Venice Isand Archeological Tours

Inside the Psychiatric Center

Map

Get your bearings before you go

Private & Small Group Tours in Venetian Lagoon

Days out with people who know the way

Birdwatching on the Venice Lagoon

Join us on an amazing tour of Venice's beautiful natural lagoon, which is filled with diverse flora, fauna, and fascinating historical landmarks. This tour will take you away from the bustling crowds of Venice and allow you to experience the serene b...

Private

5 hours 30 minutes

Photo Gallery

Waterways on beautiful Toricello Island, Venetian Lagoon, Venice Italy - Photo by Jesse Andrews

Islands in the Venetian Lagoon Half Day Tour

Waterways of Venice, Italy — Venice Half Day tour with Italy Vacation Specialists

Murano

PIazzale Roma

Venetian Lagoon

Murano

PIazzale Roma

Venetian Lagoon

Our Featured Properties

Stays we picked one by one

Italy,Veneto,Venice

Villa

Villa Prodigioso

6 Beds 5 Baths 9

Air Conditioning +15 more

View Details

Italy,Veneto,Venice

Villa

Bella Vista Villa

8 Beds 7 Baths 13

Air Conditioning +12 more

View Details

Italy,Veneto,Venice

Villa

Villa Bellissima

9 Beds 6 Baths 15

Air Conditioning +12 more

View Details

Italy,Veneto,Venice

Villa

Villa Delizioso

8 Beds 5 Baths 15

Bathroom with Shower +11 more

View Details

Find it faster

Tell Us Where You Want to Go

Search our tours, places to stay and the corners of Italy we know best.

Tell Us Where You Want to Go

Getting here

The Road to Venetian Lagoon

Most of our guests arrive by private car, with a driver who knows these roads and where it is worth stopping along the way. These are the journeys we arrange most often.

Treviso Veneto Padua Veneto Vicenza Veneto Verona Veneto, Catullo Airport Bologna Emilia-Romagna, Marconi Airport Milan Lombardia, Malpensa Airport

Experience Treviso, Italy with the Italy Vacation Specialists

View of the canal with statues on Prato della Valle in Padova (Padua), Veneto, Italy

Villa Capra called La Rotonda at Vicenza (Italy) Its probably the most famous villa in the world

Bologna, Italy - The best tours for Foodies in Italy

Where you are going Venetian Lagoon, Venice

Starting somewhere else? Tell us where, and we will arrange the car.

Plan my transfer

Your Name*

Your Email*

Your Phone Number*

Dates for Travel (MM/DD/YYYY)

Number of Adults

Number of Kids under 12 years

Your request *

In their words

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“I traveled with JoAnn West through your services, guided by Giuseppe, in July of this year. What a wonderful experience; your service is really top notch! If I return to Italy for a tour, I will absolutely use your services again and recommend you to my friend…”
Lucretia Brower Read their story

“In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS…”
Ann Brownell, KHM Travel Group Read their story

“Dear Guiseppe and Jesse, We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future. Hotels 1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wond…”
Ron and Deb Crosby Read their story

“I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and…”
Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent Read their story

“We're home now from the most amazing trip to Italy! I can't thank you enough for your efforts and coordination of what was without question the finest vacations I've been on to date”
Carol Carson Read their story

“Jesse, There are no words to describe the fabulous time we had in Italy. Everything went as you promised. Absolutely no problems! The venues were fabulous. The guides were punctual and helpful. It couldn't have worked out better. You and your staff deserve hig…”
Jo Ann West Read their story