Terrifying Tales From Tuscany

We are obsessed with all things Tuscan here and, while we can't plan holidays in the region at the moment, we can read all about her unique traits and think ahead to better days in which a vacation doesn't seem so far away.

Tuscany has an incredibly rich historical and cultural heritage, shaped by shifting rulers, endless battles and wars over land throughout the centuries, influential art movements and artists, and a stunning landscape that both inspires and produces bountiful culinary delights. As such, the region also boasts more intriguing myths and legends and spooky tales than one might be aware of or expect.

If you have an interest in history, folklore, or the macabre, Tuscany is actually a surprisingly excellent holiday destination as it is awash with haunted castles and sites supposedly frequented by witches and much more besides. Today, we have rounded up some of our favourite tales of mystery and the supernatural and intrigue from Tuscany as we find ourselves with the additional time on our hands necessary to ponder the strange and unusual aspects of the world...

1. Haunted Castles

There are actually lots of haunted castles in Tuscany to choose from, more than you might imagine. Among those castles is Poppi Castle, located in the beautiful valley of Casentino. Its most famous resident was a young woman named Matilda, who was the most beautiful woman in the area but found herself forced into a marriage with an old and powerful man from the local ruling family. Matilda, angry at her situation and jealous of the freedom of the average person, began sending for eligible young bachelors to do repairs or entertain her. She would then choose one of these men to come to her chamber and would dispose of the evidence of her indiscretions the next day by pushing them through a trapdoor and into a hole filled with razor blades and broken glass. The suspicious number of missing young men eventually led to the townspeople storming the castle, wherein they trapped Matilda in a tower and bricked up the door, to leave her to starve to death. As a result of this gory history, tales of ghost sightings abound and Poppi Castle is considered one of the most haunted places in all of Italy. Other haunted castles in Tuscany include Lari Castle, Brolio Castle, and Vincigliata Castle, to name but a few.

2. The Real Sword In The Stone

In the Abbey of Abbey of San Galgano, in Siena, you will find a unique display of a sword embedded deep into rock that is said to be the result of the knight Galgano Guidotti finding redemption. Born in 1148, he was the son of a minor noble and a self-centred, violent man who lived a rather unvirtuous life until he was visited by the Archangel Michael in a vision and told to renounce his ways when he was 32. He became a hermit and took up residence in a nearby cave. Then, one day, he saw a vision of the Apostles, Christ, and Mary who reiterated to him to turn his back on his former ways. In one version of the tale, he is said to have replied that it is easier said than done and as easy as splitting a rock with a stone, thrusting his sword into the rocky ground below to make his point. He was astounded, however, when it sank almost to the hilt with ease. In a second version of the tale, he is said to have merely marked the spot he was shown with his sword as a makeshift cross but in this version, too, it cut through stone easily. Carbon dating and scans have shown that the sword does, in fact, come from this actual period in history but the true tale of how it got there and who put it there is uncertain. Yet, it remains as an intriguing gem and the real sword in the stone, which is now protected by a glass case to prevent attempts to free it from the stone.

3. The Devil's Bridge

The most famous bridge in Tuscany is the Ponte del Diavolo (or Devil's Bridge), which is located in the province of Lucca and was commissioned by the Countess Matilda di Canossa of Tuscany in the 11th century. Originally named the Ponte della Maddalena, it became known as the Ponte del Diavolo because of a popular legend that states that a master builder promised to the build a bridge but became very troubled when he realised he could not finish on time. One evening, as he sat on the bank of the river, the devil appeared and promised to finish the project in a single night, in exchange for the soul of the first person to cross it. When it was done, the builder became worried about it and ordered the locals not to cross the bridge and went to ask the bishop in Lucca for help. The bishop outsmarted the devil and had a pig cross the bridge first, which made the devil furious and prompted him to jump in the river, never to be seen in those parts ever again. So, you should be safe from any encounters with the Dark Lord, were you to visit.

4. Tuscan Mummies

Just like haunted castles, Tuscany is home to more, “mummies,” than you might imagine. While they are not quite the mummies of ancient Egypt, they are intriguing, creepy, and fascinating in their own right. Read more about them in this article that we wrote a few years ago here.

5. The Witches Of Monte Matanna

Monte Matanna, a mountain in the Apuan Alps in the province of Lucca, is apparently a favourite haunt for witches as well as hikers. According to local legend, witches would, at one time, go up there to do witchcraft and were spotted by shepherds who saw flames on the mountainside. They were said to have sacrificed victims and done all kinds of magic there and, even now, locals advise against heading to the strange-shaped rock that they are thought to have used as a table, which is located under a large natural arch along the path from Matanna to Mount Procinto, as terrifying spirits are said to be guarding a treasure that no one has ever managed to find. If you're brave enough though, you can see it for yourself.

While people usually note the cuisine, landscape, culture, and art of Tuscany as things to pay attention to and admire, the region is actually also full of fascinating tales of ghosts, legends, mysteries, and more so if you're looking forward to the day you can visit then be sure to make note of the more unusual and macabre sights and attractions that are on offer as well!