If there’s one place on Earth that could make the bravest traveller’s skin crawl, it’s the “island of no return” floating in the Venetian Lagoon called Poveglia. Imagine an eerie strip of land where plague victims once burned, the screams of forgotten patients still echo through empty hospital halls, and even the birds seem to avoid landing.
Now, for the first time in centuries, the living have decided to reclaim this forbidden patch—but only if you’re a local. Outsiders, especially the millions who pour into Venice every year, will have to stay away. What could make thousands of Venetians invest their savings and band together for a ghost-riddled place most wouldn’t dare visit after dark?
The Secret Behind the Gates
Most visitors to Venice never notice the crumbling silhouette of Poveglia, hiding behind a slip of mist and stories whispered over coffee. Local legends say the island’s ground is thick with the ashes of plague victims, and that centuries ago, bodies piled up so fast there was barely room to bury them.
Later, Poveglia became a place for the desperate and unwanted—first a quarantine zone, then a psychiatric hospital where, according to old residents, strange experiments once took place. Overgrown ruins of an ancient church, a deserted bell tower, and collapsed hospital buildings remain as proof that Poveglia has seen more suffering than most could stomach.
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Decision
Recently, more than four thousand Venetians decided enough was enough. They joined forces under a group called “Poveglia per Tutti,” each paying in to claim a slice of the island’s future. Together, they raised nearly half a million euros to lease Poveglia from the Italian government. Their goal sounds simple but revolutionary: instead of opening Poveglia to the world as just another tourist attraction, they want to keep it for Venetians only.
This “public lagoon park” will be a green haven for locals looking to escape the city’s crush of visitors. No sightseeing tours, no hotels, no holiday-makers.
Standing Up Against the Tourist Flood
Venice faces a problem few other cities understand. Each year, nearly thirty million visitors arrive by boat, bus, and plane, pushing through the narrow streets and ancient bridges. The local population, meanwhile, shrinks every year, squeezed out by high rents and endless crowds. For many Venetians, the city feels like a stage set for tourists, not a real home.
The fight for Poveglia is a fight to hold on to a piece of the city’s soul. Organisers say that giving the island back to locals is about more than just land. It’s about making sure Venice is a place for Venetians, not just a playground for the world.
Turning a Nightmare into a Green Dream
Poveglia won’t become a luxury resort or a theme park. Instead, the plan is to turn the ghostly island into a sanctuary filled with wildflowers, native trees, and quiet corners where children can play. The University of Verona has joined the project to help restore the island’s environment and study its impact.
There’s a lot of work to do: Poveglia has no water or electricity, no safe docks, and much of its land is tangled with weeds and fallen bricks. But Venetians are determined. They see Poveglia as a rare chance to create something beautiful from a place the rest of the world calls cursed.
Legends, Loss, and the Power of Home
For locals, the haunting stories of Poveglia aren’t just about ghosts. They are reminders of a city shaped by tragedy and resilience. Some say you can still hear strange sounds drifting from the island at night. Others speak of unexplained lights or a feeling of cold dread that settles on anyone who lingers too long. These legends don’t frighten the new caretakers. They believe that by bringing laughter and life back to Poveglia, the island’s long, dark history can finally rest.
Locals Only: A New Chapter Begins
The gates to Poveglia will open soon, but not to everyone. Only Venetians—those who have watched their city change and struggled to stay—will step foot on the new park. It’s a bold move in a world where every place seems up for sale to the highest bidder.
By choosing to put locals first, Venice has shown that sometimes the most extraordinary places aren’t meant to be shared with the world, but protected by the people who call them home.
