Poveglia Island: A Haunting History and its Mysterious Legacy

Poveglia Island, often regarded as one of the most eerie and mysterious places in the world, is located in the Venetian Lagoon, just a short distance from Venice, Italy. Known for its unsettling past and ghostly reputation, this small island has intrigued historians, paranormal enthusiasts, and curious travelers alike. Here’s a deep dive into its rich, haunting history and the chilling legacy it continues to carry.

The Geography and the Isolation of Poveglia Island

Poveglia is a small, uninhabited island located between Venice and Lido in the Venetian Lagoon. Its isolation, far from the bustle of Venice, contributes significantly to the island's mystique. Covering only about 17 acres, it is barely visible from the mainland, making it a perfect location for its dark history.

Due to its remote position and lack of regular access, Poveglia remains largely unexplored and is accessible only by private boat or rare tours, adding to the air of secrecy surrounding it. While Venice itself attracts millions of tourists every year, Poveglia has remained an abandoned and forbidden destination, which only fuels its mythos.

Early History: A Quiet Past

Poveglia’s history dates back to at least the 5th century, when it was first settled. In the early years, the island served as a peaceful refuge, its fertile lands used for agriculture and small communities living in relative peace. However, its peaceful reputation would soon be overshadowed by tragedy.

The Plague and Poveglia’s Dark Turn

The island’s darkest chapter began during the 14th century when the Black Death ravaged Europe. The Venetian authorities, fearing that the plague would spread to the mainland, used Poveglia as a quarantine station. Ships that arrived from infected areas were often forced to dock at Poveglia, where the sick and dying were isolated. As the plague continued to devastate Europe, thousands of people died on the island.

What makes this period particularly chilling is the belief that those who died on the island, many of whom were buried in mass graves, were not only victims of the plague but also of ruthless medical treatments. Some accounts suggest that patients who were sent to Poveglia for quarantine were subjected to horrific and ineffective treatments, including extreme bloodletting and other barbaric methods.

By the end of the plague, the island had become a mass grave for the thousands who had perished, with rumors swirling that the bodies of the dead were piled in great numbers.

The Bell Tower and the Psychiatric Asylum

Poveglia's cursed reputation did not end with the plague. In the late 19th century, the island was repurposed as a mental asylum. A new chapter of darkness began, and it is during this period that many of the island’s ghostly associations started to take shape.

Local legends suggest that the asylum was notorious for its cruel treatment of patients. One of the most chilling stories involves a doctor who worked at the asylum. It is said that this doctor performed experiments on patients, using highly questionable methods to try and cure them. The doctor, in the end, allegedly went mad, and some accounts claim that he threw himself from the bell tower of the asylum to his death.

The bell tower, which remains one of the few structures still standing on the island, is one of the most infamous features of Poveglia. Towering over the island, it has become a symbol of the dark events that unfolded there. The bell tower, with its haunting history, is one of the focal points for those who believe the island is haunted.

The Abandonment of Poveglia

The psychiatric asylum was eventually closed in 1968, but by that time, the island had become notorious for its tragic past and its isolation. The Italian government abandoned the island, leaving behind only the crumbling remnants of the asylum and other buildings. Since its abandonment, Poveglia has remained off-limits to the public, although there are occasional efforts to re-establish it as a tourist destination or for research purposes.

Paranormal Activity: Ghosts and Hauntings

Poveglia’s isolation, combined with its tragic and bloody history, has made it a prime location for paranormal theories. Over the years, numerous people have claimed to experience strange occurrences on the island. From eerie sounds like the ringing of bells (though the bell tower no longer has a working bell) to the feeling of being watched by unseen forces, many believe Poveglia to be one of the most haunted places in the world.

The most well-known ghost story from the island is that of the doctor who allegedly went mad and jumped from the bell tower. Some say that his spirit still haunts the island, wandering through the overgrown ruins. Visitors have reported hearing whispers, strange voices, and the sound of footsteps following them, despite being completely alone on the island.

The mental asylum’s gruesome history also contributes to the island’s reputation as a place where tortured souls still roam. Some people claim to have seen shadowy figures or felt an intense, oppressive atmosphere that suggests the presence of something beyond the physical realm.

Modern-Day Poveglia: A Forbidden Island

Today, Poveglia remains one of the most mysterious and inaccessible locations in Italy. The Italian government has designated the island as off-limits to the public. While it is illegal to visit without special permission, rumors persist of adventurers and ghost hunters sneaking onto the island, hoping to witness the paranormal activity for themselves.

Poveglia has been a subject of fascination for filmmakers, with several horror movies and documentaries featuring the island as a setting. Some documentaries have even shown eerie footage, further cementing its place in the realm of the supernatural.

Efforts to Revitalize Poveglia

In recent years, there have been attempts to restore the island or use it for different purposes. In 2014, an auction was held to sell the island, but it was later withdrawn due to its controversial history and the difficulties surrounding its rehabilitation. There have been suggestions to turn Poveglia into a luxury hotel or even a site for scientific research, but its haunting past continues to make it a challenge for any sort of redevelopment.

Conclusion: The Enigma of Poveglia

Poveglia Island’s grim history and haunting reputation have ensured its place in the annals of folklore and paranormal legend. Its isolation, tragic past, and abandoned state have led to the belief that the island may never truly be free of the souls that once suffered there. Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, it’s undeniable that Poveglia is a place where history and mystery collide, making it one of the most intriguing and eerie places on Earth.

For those who seek a closer look at the dark side of history, Poveglia remains a testament to the island’s once vital role in Venice’s grim past, as well as a lasting reminder of how the shadows of history can still loom large.

Aoshima (Cat Island), Ehime Prefecture, Japan

Aoshima, also known as Cat Island (猫の島, Neko no shima), is an island in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, known for its large number of feline residents. Felines have been reported by news outlets to outnumber humans by ratios between 6:1 and 10:1, but as elderly inhabitants of the island have died, the ratio has greatly increased to almost 36:1. Although once a bustling fishing island, there are now only a handful of human residents left on Aoshima. The cat population is thriving, however. Originally introduced to help the fishermen by keeping the mouse population to combat rodents on fishing boats, but remained on the island and reproduced in large numbers.

The feline inhabitants of Aoshima are fed by food donations from all over Japan. The cats also eat the small creatures of the island and some food from visitors. The island is roughly 1 mile (1.6 km) long. It was formerly part of Nagahama in Kita District, but as of 2005, is part of Ōzu.

The human population has decreased since sardine fisheries  depleted and jobs moved to cities, causing human residence on the island to drop.

In 1945, the island was a fishing village with a population of approximately 900. In 2013, the island was estimated to be home to 50 residents. In 2018, Ehime Shimbun reported that the population had decreased to 13 with an average age of "over 75". In 2019, Asahi Shimbun Globe reported that only 6 residents remained on the island. The island attracts tourists who visit the cats and give them food.

The feline population of the island has been reported as  between 120 and 130 between 2015 and 2018. In February 2018, it was reported by Ehime  Shimbun that all cats on the island would be spayed or neutered in order to lower the feline  population as a response to the declining human population. By October, 210 cats had  been spayed and neutered, with another estimated 10 cats uncaptured that had been hidden  by an old resident who opposed the program.

Aoshima is accessible via a ferry departing from in front of JR Iyo-Nagahama Station in Port Nagahama, which takes around 30 min. Although semi-feral, the cats on Aoshima are used to human visitors. Thanks to the recent boom in publicity, it’s not unusual to find a crowd of tourists attempting to befriend the kitties. Luckily, with over 100 felines living on the island, you won’t have to compete too hard for their affection.

Ōkunoshima (The Rabbit Island) & Museum, Inland Sea of Japan.

Ōkunoshima is a small island in the Inland Sea of Japan. It is considered to be part of the city of Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is accessible by ferry and places of historical interest on the island. It is often called Usagi Shima ("Rabbit Island") because of the numerous feral rabbits that roam the island. The rabbits are rather tame and will approach humans.

Ōkunoshima played a key role during World War II as a poison gas factory for much of the chemical warfare that was carried out in China.The island was a cultivated area until the Russo-Japanese War when ten forts were built to protect it. Three fishing families lived on the island.

In 1925, the Imperial Japanese Army Institute of Science and Technology initiated a secret program to develop chemical weapons, based on extensive research that showed that chemical weapons were being produced throughout the United States and Europe. A chemical munitions plant was built on the island between 1927 and 1929 and was home to a chemical weapons facility that would go on to produce over six kilotons of mustard gas and tear gas.

Japan was a signatory of the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which banned the use of chemical warfare but not the development and storage of chemical weapons. Nevertheless, Japan went to great lengths to keep the chemical munitions plant a secret, even going so far as to remove records of the island from some maps. The island was chosen for its isolation, security, and distance from Tokyo and other areas in case of disaster. Under the jurisdiction of the Japanese military, the local fish preservation processor was converted into a toxic gas reactor. Residents and potential employees were not told what the plant was manufacturing and everything was kept secret. Working conditions were harsh and many suffered from toxic-exposure related illnesses due to inadequate safety equipment.

When World War II ended, documents concerning the plant were burned and Allied Occupation Forces disposed of the gas either by dumping, burning, or burying it. People were told to be silent about the project, and several decades would pass before victims from the plant were given government aid for treatment. In 1988 the Ōkunoshima Poison Gas Museum was opened.

The island is presently inhabited by a large population of rabbits. Many of them are descended from rabbits intentionally let loose when the island was developed as a park after World War II. During the war, rabbits were also used in the chemical munitions plant to test the effectiveness of the chemical weapons, but those rabbits were killed when the factory was demolished and are not related to the rabbits currently on the island. Hunting the rabbits is forbidden, and dogs and cats are not allowed on the island. In 2015, the BBC presented a short television series called Pets - Wild at Heart about the behaviours of pets and it featured the rabbits on the island. The series also showed tourists coming to feed the rabbits.

 

The ruins of the old forts and the gas factory still exist all over the island, but entry is prohibited as it is too dangerous. Since it is part of the Inland Sea National Park system of Japan, there is a resource center and a museum.

The Poison Gas Museum was opened in 1988 and "was established in order to alert as many people as possible to the dreadful truths about poison gas." As expressed by its curator, Murakami Hatsuichi, to The New York Times, “My hope is that people will see the museum in Hiroshima City and also this one, so they will learn that we [Japanese] were both victims and aggressors in the war. I hope people will realize both facets and recognize the importance of peace."

The small museum is only two rooms large and provides a basic overview of the construction of the chemical plant, working conditions, and the effects of poison gas on humans. Families of workers who suffered the aftereffects of the harsh working conditions donated numerous artifacts to help tell the story of the workers' plight. The second room shows how poison gas affects the human body through the lungs, eyes, skin, and heart. Images of victims from Iraq and Iran add to the message of the museum.

The museum also offers guides to the numerous remains of the forts from the Second Sino-Japanese War and the poison gas factory. Most of the buildings are run-down and condemned, but still recognizable. The museum is aimed primarily at Japanese tourists, but English translations are provided on the overall summary for each section. The island is connected to Takehara on the mainland by Chūshi Powerline Crossing, the tallest powerline in Japan.

The best way to access the island from the mainland is to take the Sanyō Shinkansen train to Mihara Station (only the Kodama stops there). At Mihara, catch the Kure Line local train to Tadanoumi, and from there walk to the terminal and catch a ferry. Habu Shosen now also runs direct ferries from Mihara Port to Ōkunoshima on weekends.

Taumata­whakatangihanga­koauau­o­tamatea­turi­pukaka­piki­maunga­horo­nuku­pokai­whenua­ki­tana­tahu (Longest Named Place On Earth), Porangahau, Southern Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Taumata­whakatangihanga­koauau­o­tamatea­turi­pukaka­piki­maunga­horo­nuku­pokai­whenua­ki­tana­tahu is a hill near Porangahau, south of Waipukurau in southern Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The height of the hill is 305 metres (1,001 ft). The hill is notable primarily for its unusually long name, which is of Māori origin; it is often shortened to Taumata for brevity. It has gained a measure of fame as it is the longest place name found in any English-speaking country, and possibly the longest place name in the world; according to World Atlas.The name of the hill (with 85 characters) has also been listed in the Guinness World Records as the longest place name. Other versions of the name, including longer ones, are also sometimes used.

In the International Phonetic Alphabet, the name may be transcribed as [tɐʉmɐtɐ.​ɸɐkɐtɐŋihɐŋɐ.​koːɐʉɐʉ.​ɔ.​tɐmɐtɛɐ.​tʉɾi.​pʉkɐkɐ.​piki.​mɐʉŋɐ.​hɔɾɔ.​nʉkʉ.​pɔkɐi.​ɸɛnʉɐ.​ki.​tɐnɐ.​tɐhʉ]. In the Māori language, the digraph "wh" is pronounced as /ɸ/, a voiceless bilabial fricative, akin to an /f/ sound made with pursed lips.

The name "Taumata­whakatangihanga­koauau­o­tamatea­turi­pukaka­piki­maunga­horo­nuku­pokai­whenua­ki­tana­tahu" translates roughly as "The summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his kōauau (flute) to his loved one". 

Some forms of the name are longer still: "Taumata­whakatangihanga­koauau­o­tamatea­ure­haea­turi­pukaka­piki­maunga­horo­nuku­pokai­whenua­ki­tana­tahu" has 92 letters. 

An even longer version, Taumata-whakatangihanga-koauau-o-Tamatea-haumai-tawhiti-ure-haea-turi-pukaka-piki-maunga-horo-nuku-pokai-whenua-ki-tana-tahu, has 105 letters and means "The hill of the flute playing by Tamatea – who was blown hither from afar, had a slit penis, grazed his knees climbing mountains, fell on the earth, and encircled the land – to his beloved one".

Maps from 1929 published by the Department of Lands and Survey use a 28-character name "Taumata­whakatangihanga­koauau". In 1941, the Honorary Geographic Board of New Zealand renamed the hill to a 57-character name "Taumata­whakatangihanga­koauau­o­tamatea­pokai­whenua­ki­tana­tahu", which has been an official name since 1948, and first appeared in a 1955 map.The New Zealand Geographic Placenames Database, maintained by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), shows the official name with macrons "Taumata­whakatangihanga­kōauau­o­tamatea­pōkai­whenua­ki­tāna­tahu".

Tamatea-pōkai-whenua (Tamatea the explorer of the land) was the father of Kahungunu, ancestor of the Ngāti Kahungunu iwi (tribe). Mention of Tamatea's explorations of the land occur not only in Ngāti Kahungunu legends, but also in the traditions of iwi from Northland, where he is said to have explored the Hokianga and Kaipara harbours.

In traditions from the Bay of Plenty region, he left a son, Ranginui, who is the ancestor of Ngāti Ranginui of Tauranga. Legends from the East Coast of the North Island tell of his explorations in Tūranga-nui (Gisborne), Māhia, Wairoa, Ahuriri (Napier), Heretaunga (near Hastings) and Pōrangahau. He travelled via the Mangakopikopiko River, over the Tītī-o-kura saddle via Pohokura to Lake Taupo. The Ōtamatea River and swamp is named after him. Tamatea is also the name of a place in Napier.

Early South Island legends say that Tamatea sailed down the east coast. His canoe was wrecked in the far south, and transformed into Tākitimu mountain range. Tamatea then returned to the North Island, and travelled via the Whanganui River.

The name is featured in a Mountain Dew jingle and a SEEK Learning TV ad in Australia.It also appears in the 1976 (re-released in 1979) single "The Lone Ranger" by British band Quantum Jump, which featured in the title sequence of the second series of The Kenny Everett Video Show. It is the subject of a 1960 song by the New Zealand balladeer Peter Cape. Tennis star Martina Navratilova learned to say the word when she was ten years old.