Latest news with #PovegliaperTutti
New York Post
2 days ago
- General
- New York Post
Locals buy ‘haunted' Venice island known for horrific experiments in plan to ban tourists
A group of more than 4,500 residents of Venice chipped in to buy a 'haunted' island that once housed an asylum and a hospital for quarantined plague victims — to keep tourists away. The local investors are now due to take over the 18.5-acre island of Poveglia on Aug. 1 with a 99-year lease that will turn it into an urban park for Venetians that is strictly off limits to foreigners visiting the historic city, according to a report by CNN. The spooky island sits on the southern end of the Venice lagoon. Advertisement 5 Poveglia island was once a Roman military outpost, and later housed an asylum and a hospital for plague victims. Getty Images 5 Once home to controversial experiments on the mentally ill, Venice's Poveglia Island is now believed to be haunted. Getty Images 'It wasn't just outrage, it was psychologically traumatic to realize that the city could be broken up and sold to the highest bidder, without a starting price, without even a plan,' Patrizia Veclani, who formed the group Poveglia per Tutti, or 'Poveglia for Everyone,' told the outlet. Advertisement 'It's as if Rome were to decide to sell the Trevi Fountain,' Veclani said. 'The island would never have been as popular as other places, but keeping this small space just for Venetians is a victory.' Poveglia's haunted history dates back to 421 AD, when it served as a Roman military base. It was later a farming and fishing community before it was used to house victims of the bubonic plague when it broke out in the 18th Century, the report said. 5 Over the years Poveglia was also a farming and fishing community before it became a hospital and asylum. De Agostini via Getty Images 5 A group of 4,500 Venetians chipped in to buy the island to keep it away from private developers and tourists. Getty Images Advertisement At least 160,000 plague victims are believed to be buried there. In the 19th Century, the island was converted into an asylum for the mentally ill — and experimental treatments and abusive conditions reportedly ran rampant, the outlet said. Poveglia has been uninhabited since the asylum shut down in 1968, and today it is heavily overgrown with brush and woods with a large rabbit population surrounding 15 abandoned hospital buildings. Ghost hunters have since dubbed the island haunted, and it was featured in TV's 'Ghost Adventures.' Advertisement However, the island was put up for auction in 2014, and recent rumors suggested a private developer would end up buying it and adding yet another tourist attraction in a city weary of tourists. 5 Poveglia's new owners said they will turn the haunted island into an urban park exclusively for Venetians. Getty Images Alarmed, Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro organized a group to buy the island for $600,000, but their effort failed to get approval from the state and Poveglia's fate remained in limbo. However, Veclani's group banded together and landed the lease for $539,000. 'The island was made famous by foreigners who were looking for something to exploit,' Massimo Pera, a member of the group, told CNN. 'The memories of the island are steeped in pain, but we will transform it into a place of joy.'
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘Haunted' Venice island to become a locals-only haven where tourists are banned
A view of the 19th-century asylum on Poveglia is pictured. (Marcovia CNN Newsource) The abandoned Venetian island of Poveglia — site of a plague pit and former asylum — is about to take on a happier new identity. On August 1, a group of Venetians will take possession of the supposedly haunted island under a 99-year lease from the Italian state and embark on a project to turn it into an urban park open only to residents of the Italian city. The locals fought off stiff competition from property developers to ensure Poveglia remained a public asset. In 2014, the island, which is around 7.5 hectares (18.5 acres) in size and sits in the southern part of the Venice lagoon, was put on an auction list by the Italian State Property Agency, opening it up to developers tempted by its peaceful but convenient location just three miles from St. Mark's Square. Several consortia raised money to buy it, including one tied to Luigi Brugnaro, the current mayor of Venice, whose group raised 513,000 euros (US$600,000) but failed to gain approval from the state. Horrified at the prospect of the island being sold to a private buyer, Patrizia Veclani formed a group, Poveglia per Tutti (Poveglia For Everyone), to try to save the island and others like it that are on the government's auction list. The group, which has more than 4,500 members, managed to raise 460,000 euros ($539,000) and secure the lease. 'It wasn't just outrage, it was psychologically traumatic to realize that the city could be broken up and sold to the highest bidder, without a starting price, without even a plan. It's as if Rome were to decide to sell the Trevi Fountain. Venice and its Lagoon are one, inseparable,' Veclani said at a public forum last month, before the winning bid was announced. Veclani told CNN on Friday that her group sees this as a small victory in reclaiming Venice from overtourism, a longstanding problem. An estimated 30 million tourists visit the city every year, dwarfing the local population, which has now dwindled to less than 50,000, despite authorities' efforts to limit visitor numbers through measures such as a 2021 ban on cruise ships and a five euro ($5.86) charge for day-trippers introduced last year. 'The island would never have been as popular as other places,' Veclani said, 'but keeping this small space just for Venetians is a victory.' Poveglia island Italy A room inside the ruined asylum is pictured. (Marcovia CNN Newsource_ An overgrown woodland, a military fortress, 15 dilapidated hospital buildings and a rather large colony of rabbits are all that remain on the island, the group says. Poveglia's spooky history goes back to an outbreak of the bubonic plague in the 18th century, brought to Venice by fleas on merchant ships during a period when the city was an international trading hub. As the plague spread, the island was converted into a maritime quarantine dock for merchant ships arriving from abroad and for people with symptoms. Before that, it was inhabited by farmers and fishermen, having been founded as a Roman military base in 421 CE. The island's farm buildings and military barracks were transformed into dormitories, where the sick lived together and were subjected to primitive treatments, like bloodletting. As the plague spread, the dead were buried in mass graves. Venetian historians estimate that more than 160,000 people were buried on the island between the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 19th century, Poveglia became an asylum for mentally ill people, who were often restrained and subject to experimental treatments. The asylum closed in 1968, and the island has been uninhabited ever since. Poveglia's sad history led some to believe that it was haunted. Modern ghost-hunters, including U.S. television series 'Ghost Adventures,' have visited the island over the years, spreading the myths further. 'The island was made famous by foreigners who were looking for something to exploit,' Massimo Pera, a patron of the group, told CNN. 'The memories of the island are steeped in pain, but we will transform it into a place of joy.' The renovation of the island, which lacks electricity and running water, is being guided by the APsyM laboratory at the University of Verona's department of human sciences. Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Tiny Italian island set to be ‘turned into oasis' to escape hoards of tourists
A TINY Italian island could be turned into an 'oasis' for locals to be able to find somewhere quieter, away from holidaymakers. A group of local activists have raised around €460,000 (£401,000) in funds to win the lease for Poveglia - a tiny uninhabited island just off of 5 Poveglia is a tiny unhabited island just off of Venice Credit: Alamy 5 And a local group of activists are hoping to transform it into an urban oasis Credit: Alamy The activist group Poveglia per Tutti (Poveglia for Everyone) will take over the next month and intend to turn the island into a small haven. This includes regenerating the northern part of the island "transforming it into a lagoon urban park open to citizens and respectful of the ecosystem and the landscape elements that characterise the However, there will be some challenges in transforming the island, as it currently has no electrical or water supply. And there is also no pier with access for boats either. Read more on travel inspo One of the main parts of the island is the kitchen garden, which used to grow a variety of peaches, but has now been left to run wild. One of the founders of Poveglia for Everyone, Patrizia Veclani, told The Times: "Nature has reclaimed it. But with the advice of botanists we are considering what appropriate plants can be reinstated." She added that it is important that the island is returning to the city, "rather than becoming the umpteenth The group will pay just over €1,000 (£871) a year for the island on a six-year lease. Most read in News Travel The island itself is split by two canals and according to Later, it was turned into a mental hospital that eventually closed in 1968 - with the island being vacant since. 7 TOURIST DESTINATIONS - EVERGREEN LISTICLE Few buildings remain on the island, and even fewer fully intact. A church still stands, as does the hospital, asylum, a bell-tower, housing and some administrative buildings. The bell-tower is the most visible and dates back to the 12th century. It used to belong to the church of San Vitale - which was demolished under Napoleon's orders in 1806. The tower was then re-used as a lighthouse. As a result of this extensive history, the island is often featured on paranormal shows as well. The island was then first put up for lease over a decade ago when the Italian state auctioned a 99-year lease of Poveglia. 5 The only remaining buildings on the island include the church and hositpal Credit: Alamy 5 The group of activities will pay just over €1,000 a year for the lease Credit: Getty The island was to remain as state property, to raise revenue and the hope was that the buyer would transform the hospital into a At the time, the highest bid came from Italian businessman Luigi Brugnaro for €513,000 (£447,000). Initially, the businessman planned to invest €20million (£17.4million) in a restoration plan but the lease did not go ahead as his project did not meet all the conditions for the island. Whilst Brugnaro decided to fight the cancellation of the lease, he eventually dropped this and all intentions for developing the island when he became Mayor of Then in 2015, Poveglia for Everyone emerged and hoped to raise €25-30million (£21.8-£26.1million) to develop the island to include a public park, a marina, a restaurant, a hostel and a study centre. Around 30million people visit Venice each year and a €5 (£4.36) charge was introduced last year to deter visitors. Cruise ships were also banned in 2021, and now dock on the mainland at Marghera or at Ravenna. Expedia's top 10 holiday islands across the globe HERE are 10 top islands to consider for your next getaway, according to Expedia's 'Hot List'. Paros, Greece: A Greek paradise praised for its beautiful beaches, traditional villages, and buzzing nightlife, also offering delicious seafood and party boats. Sardinia, Italy: This large Italian island boasts a rugged coastline, charming hilltop villages, and over 1,000 miles of beaches, including Spiaggia di Piscinas, nicknamed 'Little Sahara of Italy'. Aruba, Caribbean: Known as 'One Happy Island', Aruba is celebrated for its white sand beaches, including Flamingo Beach where you can see pink flamingos, and is considered one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. Koh Samui, Thailand: Thailand's second-largest island offers incredible beaches, impressive temples, and vibrant nightlife, gaining further popularity from the TV series White Lotus. Jersey, UK: This Channel Island is experiencing a rising interest, particularly among British travelers. Crete, Greece: A popular Greek island with a growing appeal to visitors. Malta: This Mediterranean island nation is seeing increased interest from travelers. Madeira, Portugal: This Portuguese island is a rising star on the travel scene, particularly for Brits. Naxos, Greece: Part of the Cyclades Islands, close to Paros, and a destination worth exploring. Milos, Greece: Another beautiful island in the Cyclades chain, known for its unique landscapes. There is also an Plus, the 5 However, the island currently has no electricity or water Credit: Alamy
The Independent
4 days ago
- The Independent
Abandoned island in Venice to become a haven for locals seeking escape from tourism
Venetian activists will transform part of an abandoned island into a public park, where locals can escape the millions of tourists that visit the city each year. The grassroots group, named Poveglia per Tutti (Poveglia for Everyone), said it had received permission from the Italian government to transform the island of Poveglia into a public lagoon park from 1 August. Residents and supporters across Italy have campaigned for more than a decade to save the historically significant but decaying island from neglect and privatisation. Campaigners say the project aims to create a 'public lagoon park open to all,' managed collectively through 'practices of subsidiarity and active participation.' Patrizia Veclani, one of the founders of the group, has told local outlet Altreconomia earlier this year that Poveglia per Tutti would prioritise building an 'accessible and safe landing place' and creating 'a way to reach the island without overtaking it with tourism'. They hope this model could serve as an alternative vision for Venice, where locals say they are struggling to cope with overtourism. The city has recently introduced measures like entry fees to curb tourist pressure, while residents warn of losing public space and a strain on local infrastructure. Cruise ships have been banned from entering the Venice lagoon and main Giudecca Canal since August 2021 – a move welcomed by Unesco after repeated warnings that the large vessels were damaging the iconic city. But after a brief trial last year, Venice also recently reintroduced its day-tripper tax, charging tourists not staying on the islands €5 to visit. From April this year, tourists are now charged €10 for that privilege unless they book at least four days in advance. Poveglia was once used as a quarantine site for people with plague and other infectious diseases. It was later converted into a mental hospital. The hospital shut its doors in 1968, and the island has remained abandoned ever since. Poveglia per Tutti has set aside around €300,000 for the first phase of the project and plans to seek further funding. It has also partnered with the University of Verona to study the social impact of redevelopment, aiming to create a blueprint for community-led management of public assets. The group said in a statement that the success of the project is due to 'thousands of members, supporters, associations and organisations' who backed the vision, even from afar.' They urged people to volunteer, spread the word and help turn Poveglia into what they call 'a symbol of a new idea of managing community assets.' Venice's historic centre had more than 170,000 residents in 1954, according to city authorities. Last year, they were down to just over 49,000. Around 30 million tourists visit Venice in a typical year, with about seven out of 10 (or 21 million) staying only for the day.
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Locals in hols hotspot buy creepy abandoned plague quarantine island ‘built on human ash' to escape tourist crowds
LOCALS in a holiday hotspot have purchased what has been dubbed the world's 'creepiest' island which was 'built on human ash' in order to escape hoards of tourists. Poveglia, just off the coast of Venice, Italy, got the dubious moniker as in the 18 century it was used as a quarantine station during outbreaks of the plague. 5 5 5 The 18-acre site was also used as a mass burial ground, where some 160,000 victims are thought to have been burned to stop the spread of the disease. It has been said that even to this day, human ash from these cremations make up more than 50 per cent of the island's soil. The small island was eventually abandoned in the 1990s tourists are banned from setting foot on the spine-tingling patch of land due to countless crumbling derelict buildings. However, next month it will be taken over by an activist group Poveglia per Tutti (Poveglia for Everyone), and transformed into an urban park for the Venetians. The Italian city is a huge tourist attraction with an estimated 30 million people visiting every year. In an attempt to deter so many people a €5 (£4.40) access charge has been levied which has done little to deter visitors but officials claim it helps them monitor the flow of sightseers. Cruise ships were banned from arriving in the city in 2021, forcing them to dock on the mainland at Marghera or Ravenna, nearly 90 miles to the south, or at Trieste, nearly 100 miles across the Adriatic. Tourists are then bussed in to the historic city. The changes have reduced air pollution in Venice but has not caused a reduction in the number of visitors on cruise ships. Many locals have been forced to out of Venice and go a live on the mainland due to high housing costs, which have been fuelled by Airbnb as well as a lack of services. That migration, along with the deaths of an ageing population, has seen the city's population drop by around 10,000 in the past decade. Figures from 2022 show it dropped below 50,000 and currently stands at 48,342 people. The activist group has won a six-year lease for the island seeing off its competitors which included the mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro, who wanted to build on the land. The group used the slogan '€99 for 99 years' and asked Venetians to dip into their pockets to help preserve the island from development. More than 4,600 people donated. One of the founders of Poveglia for Everyone, Patrizia Veclani, said: 'We woke up with a nest egg of €460,000 and a community full of high-level professional skills.' The group will pay just a little more than €1,000 a year for the renewable lease. Joining forces with the group is the University of Verona who will monitor the project's environmental and social impact. It said its aim was to regenerate the northern part of the island 'transforming it into a lagoon urban park open to citizens and respectful of the ecosystem and the landscape elements that characterise the lagoon'. Veclani told The Times the university's involvement had played an important part in convincing the Italian national land agency, which runs under the control of the Ministry of Economy, to grant them the lease. She told the paper: 'Having an academic analysis of the impact is very important for us. 'It means we can be a model for others and there are many more like us throughout Italy.' Having won the lease, the activists now face a number of challenges. The island doesn't have any electricity or water. There is also no satisfactory pier to provide boats to dock. The kitchen garden, which had once gained a name for itself for its peaches, has been allowed to run wild. Veclani said: 'Nature has reclaimed it. 'But with the advice of botanists we are considering what appropriate plants can be reinstated. We are lucky to be able to call on many experts. 'The sharing of knowledge has been wonderful. What's important is that it is returning to the city, rather than becoming the umpteenth luxury hotel.' Brugnaro, who is being investigated for corruption and has denied the accusations, wished the group well. He said: 'I am on holiday but I can tell you that I am very happy with this solution.' 5 5
