Lake Como is a lot of things together: it’s romantic, simply meant for a couple getaway; it’s objectively charming, with that unique crown of mountains that hugs it and protects it in such a scenographic way; it’s inspiring, when at the sunset it turns all orange and red like in a painting.

But Lake Como is also home to legends that seem to come directly from a Halloween movie: ghosts of desperate lovers throwing themselves into the water, witches moving from one shore of the lake to the other, bridges haunted by the devil himself… to mention just a few!

Ready to discover the darkest sides of our stunning lake?

Castello di Vezio ghosts

Castello di Vezio in Varenna hosts a legend that mixes history with superstition.
About the year 600 the castle became the abode of Queen Teodolinda, the most famous langobardian queen. Legend tells that this place was one of her last dwellings: she died in Monza, but her heart and soul remained in the circle of the castle’s walls.

In the moonless nights her spirit wanders through the corridors of the fortress… apparently, she’s been seen in some specific spots (all panoramic ones - how to blame her?!), where now some phantoms made of papier-mâché have been placed.

Fun fact: the models for those ghosts have been some tourists!

Villa Pliniana: between murderers and lovers

You know Villa Pliniana? Yeah, that architectural marvel set in the greenery of Torno, with such a solitary, elegant and incredibly severe appearance. There’s also a movie, Malombra (1942, by Mario Soldati), where Villa Pliniana is the main - creepy - set of the story.

The villa itself, while magnificent, has a quite spooky look due to the sad cypresses that surround it. What’s more, her history is a bloody one: the first owner, the aristocrat Giovanni Anguissola, had the Duke of Piacenza, Pierluigi Farnese, brutally murdered in 1547. After that, he decided to build Villa Pliniana to take refuge and hide from the duke's possible avengers. Here, however, he could never get rid of the Farnese’s ghost: apparently, every night the Farnese showed up at the door to the lake, launching the same horrible scream emitted before his death. The nightmare haunted the count for a long time, until one night, when the ghost appeared, Anguissola tried to capture him, but slipped into the dark abyss of the waters. His corpse never resurfaced…

But Villa Pliniana is also famous for one of the most talked-about love story ever: the one between Anne Berthier and Emilio from Belgiojoso. Interestingly, both left their families to live together for almost 8 years in total isolation at Villa Plininana. You can image the scandal they created in those years (‘30s) with their choice of devoting themselves to pleasure: Anne even left her newborn child in France!

Apparently in the evening, on the toll of midnight, the lovers used to wrap themselves naked together in a sheet to dive from the top of the loggia into the lake (how brave, you’ll say!). As a result, the villagers on the opposite shore thought they saw a ghost and were frightened; the daily repetition of the fact confirmed their belief.

Curious to hear the end of this story? Well, it was Anne who abandoned Emilio. One day she left for Milano, as she was missing her worldly life after so many years of isolation in that dark corner of Lake Como.

La Ghita: story of a brave girl and her rapist

Moltrasio, on the opposite bank of Torno, also has its legend of ghosts.

Moltrasio harbor - © Lakeside — Moltrasio harbor - © Lakeside

The protagonist here is a young and beautiful girl, Ghita. One evening, while returning to Moltrasio from Cernobbio, was attacked by a smuggler. She tried in every way to free herself: arrived on the edge of a precipice, in order not to be raped, she threw herself into the ravine together with her rapist. Miraculously, Ghita was saved clinging to a rock, while nothing more was known about the man.

Today, locals say that on moonless nights, between Cernobbio and Moltrasio, a flame can be glimpsed along the mountain: it’s the soul of the damned man, that still roams the area. In 1946, after a medium’s prediction, it seems that Ghita’s phantom appeared near the water for more than 10 minutes.

Explore Moltrasio with our infographic!

Castello Baradello and its (tortured) prisoners

Perhaps not everyone knows it, but the crypt of Castello Baradello - built in 1158 by Frederick I, aka “Barbarossa” - was used as a torture room for all those accused of witchcraft.

In 1233, the struggle between Torriani and Visconti (respectively Guelphs and Ghibellines) began. In 1277 in the battle of Desio the Guelphs were defeated, and Napo Torriani was hung in a cage at the Baradello. Here he committed suicide after 19 months in 1278, smashing his head against the bars.

Legend says his ghost still wanders agonizing the walls of the tower…

The “Gray Woman” in Rezzonico

In Rezzonico, an old and charming medieval hamlet in San Siro, we find the story of the “Gray Woman” (so called because she usually wears a gray shawl on her shoulders).

This strange ghost is usually seen on the staircase leading to a cellar, late in the evening or during the night. In the daytime, however, no one knows where she hides.

Explore San Siro hamlets with our infographic!

Witches from Torno, Lezzeno, Rovenna and Mezzegra

A very sad fact you should know: the Diocese of Como had the highest number of fires of witches during the Inquisition in Lombardy (300 only in 1416!). The Dominican monk Bernardo Rategno (who lived in Como from the second half of the 15th century) condemned more than 40 women to death. The executions, with the victims burned alive after passing through torture and the terrible inquisition of the Court, took place in the convent of San Giovanni Pedemonte (where now San Giovanni station stands).

The villages of Torno, Lezzeno, Rovenna and Mezzegra, were apparently full of women charged with a relation with the Devil. In Mezzegra, specifically in Bonzanigo, there’s even a special lawn, called "Praa de la taca" (literally "Lawn of the footprint"), a hill where it’s said the witches from Lezzeno used to meet for their mysterious rituals.

Explore Mezzegra with our infographic!

The Devil's House in Bellano

At the well-known Orrido di Bellano there’s the Devil's House. Its name is linked to some mythological figures on one of the building's facade: a large Mephistophelian figure with small horns and a pitchfork, in addition to a fish-tailed goat.

In Bellano, this building has always been feared: rumors said that inside it hosts satanic rituals…

The Devil's Bridge in Lezzeno

Built between 1903 and 1917, the name of this bridge is due to the fact that it overlooks a terrible gorge; the works to build it were particularly dangerous, because the cliff below was almost totally inaccessible.

A legend tells that the construction was repeatedly interrupted and the engineer responsible for the works was getting crazy. One night the devil appeared promising to help him in exchange for the soul of the one who first crossed the bridge. The engineer agreed, but when all the work was finished he decided to cheat the devil by running a dog along the bridge, throwing him a bone. The dog crossed the bridge and disappeared; the devil had taken his soul and the engineer had paid his debt.

Villa De Vecchi, the ghost mansion

Just east of Lake Como, nestled against the forested mountains of Cortenova, sits a house that’s said to be the most haunted of Italy: we’re talking about Villa De Vecchi, alternately nicknamed the Red House (due to the the red sandstone used in the facade), Ghost Mansion, and The House of Witches. Well, just those nicknames themselves don’t promise nothing good…

Built between 1854-1857 as the summer abode of Count Felice De Vecchi, the 5-story villa was a truly amazing architectural jewel: an incredible mix of Baroque and Classical Eastern styles. It was designed by Alessandro Sidoli, exponent of the architectural current of Eclecticism.

Villa de Vecchi in an old postcard. Image via LeccoToday

There was a massive fireplace in the parlor, arches with pointed arches, stairways, stuccoes, and impressive frescoes on the ceiling; not to mention the 13-hectare manicured park. Well, it was the typical period villa Lakeside team usually falls in love with at first sight!

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In this paradise, however, a horrible tragedy happened: in 1862 Felice returned home and found his wife brutally murdered, and daughter missing. He immediately started an unsuccessful search for his daughter, wandering for months around the local woods; he committed suicide that same year.

The villa was permanently abandoned in 1960; since then, a long decay began.

Today, Villa de Vecchi is a creepy ruin: time, neglect and vandalism have erased most of her bright beauty.

There are a lot of rumors of ritualistic orgies, sacrifices (both animal and human), suicides, and murders happened inside this old dwelling. It is also said that during the nights of the summer and winter solstice the house comes a lamentation of a female voice (most likely the voice of Felice’s wife); also, with the darkness, a piano (whose remains are actually present in the room) begins to play.

Giuseppe Negri, 81 year old son of the last caretakers, denies all these frightful theories, including the murder of Felice’s wife.

And you, do you believe in haunted mansions?

Article by Laura Zanotta

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9 Spooky Tales Of Lake Como That Will Keep You Up At Halloween Night