These eerie destinations in Italy can be explored throughout the year, making them ideal for creating a haunting Halloween itinerary. It is worth noting that while some locations may be too intense for younger children, older kids and teenagers typically find these spooky sites fascinating.

Skeletons, Catacombs, and Guided Visits

Italy is home to some of the most famous catacombs, particularly the catacombs outside Rome located along the ancient Appian Way. The Select Italy’s Appia Antica guided tour includes stops at one of the catacombs along with the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, complete with transportation from your accommodation. Another excellent option is The Roman Guy Catacombs Tour, which combines visits to the Appian Way and the catacombs, providing a detailed look at historical sites beneath a church. Moreover, Walks of Italy offers a Crypts, Bones, and Catacombs guided experience that includes a visit to Saint Priscilla’s catacombs, the Capuchin Crypt, and ancient remains found under a church in Rome.

In addition, other significant catacombs can be found in Sicily and within Naples’ historic center.

Mummies in Italy

Arguably among the most chilling places in Italy are the mummy exhibits at Ferentillo’s Mummy Museum, situated below the Church of Santo Stefano in Umbria. Additionally, the Mummies Cemetery in Urbania’s Church of the Dead in Le Marche offers a similar experience. Mummies can also be found in the Capuchin Monastery near Palermo and within the Capuchin Crypt located at the heart of Rome. These mummies are preserved through natural processes, and visitors may find the displays quite gruesome, making them unsuitable for young children.

Skulls in Puglia

In Otranto, located on the Salento Peninsula (the heel of Italy’s boot), there exists a cathedral containing a chapel adorned with the skulls and bones of over 800 martyrs who fell victim to a Turkish invasion in 1480. In Gravina in Puglia, visitors can explore a cave featuring skulls and an intact skeleton set apart from the others.

Scary Places in Rome

The spooky attractions in Rome include the catacombs, crypts, the Museum of Purgatory, Monster House, and the Vatican Necropolis. Some relics found in Rome’s churches might equally disturb, such as the infamous doubting finger of St. Thomas and a fragment of John the Baptist’s head.

Monster Park

Bizarre yet fascinating, Bomarzo Monster Park showcases an array of sculptures featuring monsters and mythical beings. This whimsical destination is particularly popular among families looking to entertain their children.

Witches in Italy

Benevento, a southern Italian town, is often referred to as the City of Witches, where legends of streghe (witches) play a significant role in local folklore. They are particularly known for their strega products, which include distinctive candy and liqueur.

In northern Italy, near the Italian Riviera, the village of Triora gained notoriety for its 16th-century witch trials, leading to the establishment of a museum dedicated to the 403 witches who suffered torture and execution there.

Venice’s Quarantine and Cemetery Islands

San Michelle serves as Venice’s cemetery island, featuring two churches and numerous tombs. An ideal time to visit is early November when All Soul’s Day attracts a multitude of floral tributes.

During the plague, Lazaretto Vecchio was designated as a quarantine center for the afflicted. Recently, mass graves of plague victims were unearthed here. However, following a period of closure due to economic issues, efforts by members of the Archeoclub of Venice are ongoing to restore the island to safe conditions, leading to limited special openings since 2014.

Nearby, Lazzaretto Nuovo served as another quarantine and decontamination site, with visitations available on a guided tour from April through October. Visitors can delve into Venice’s plague history through Select Italy’s Venetian Renaissance walking tour.

Naples Cemetery Cave and Catacombs

More than 40,000 remains were discarded into a cave just outside Naples’ city walls, particularly during the plague outbreaks. Visitors can also explore the chilling San Gaudioso catacombs nearby.

Medieval Torture Museums

Multiple towns across Tuscany and Umbria feature torture museums housing devices utilized for inflicting pain during the Inquisition. One of the premier museums can be found in San Gimignano, while underground torture chambers await exploration beneath the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Narni, Umbria.

Halloween in Italy

If you find yourself in Italy on All Saint’s Eve (Halloween), consider participating in Urban Trekking, an array of special nocturnal walks featuring medieval towers, crypts, dungeons, or castles.

Sources

National Geographic: Mass Plague Graves Found in Venice “Quarantine” Island.