POVEGLIA:  The Island of the Lagoon of Venice

The island of Poveglia formerly called Popilia due to the polar trees that were widespread on the island or (less probable from Popilio Lena roman consul.  The island had its own government and a thriving little community till the war with Genova in 1380.

Poveglia (the northern section of the way Emilia) was like many others a shelter for the populations of the mainland that escaped as a result of the barbaric invasions, but with the come one of Pipino in the 809, people of the island were forced to go itself some. It wants the tradition then that the island ripopolasse thanks to two hundred veneziane families to the service of the Doge Peter Tradonico who, after its killing, barricapt itself in the Ducale Palace in order to ask justice. In order to resolve the problem the new Doge - Partecipazio Bear - granted to the families the same island and many privileges. This community magnified itself quickly, but because of the war of Malamocco the island newly was abandoned. Lost its importance like city center, the island divenne in a 1700 contagious plague disease hospital and later on a place where came ricoverate the persons in quarantine.

Yet, still there are tales of a supernatural origin, which simply states that the island of Poveglia was actually created from the ashes of the dead who are buried there.  Many people have actually mentioned that they have heard the cries of the tortured, the howls of the insane and the screams of the damned fill the late night air.  It’s said to be an actual place of horror where the locals refuse to venture anywhere near it’s vicinity.

In our century house of rest for the old ones became one, sluice in 1968.  In present day, the island of Poveglia is distinguished by its low hump and tall tower (the spire bell tower of San Vitale) that was once part of Venice's defence system and can be seen from the remains of Malamocco on the Lido.

Nowadays the island is used as vineyards and other cultivations.  Poveglia is not visitable.