10 Haunted Places to Explore in Rome
What to Do in Rome that's Unusual?
These haunted places to explore in Rome highlight the city’s long and rather tumultuous past. You’ll find more than a few skeletons (tens of thousands of them, in fact) with some fascinating and oftentimes gruesome tales to tell – buried just below the magnificent Italian capital.
Thanks to Rome’s rather bloody history, it’s no surprise that stories of the paranormal, which date back to ancient times, have endured to this day. From gladiators and troubled noblemen to Emperor Nero himself, many restless souls are said to roam the Eternal City. Planning a spooky vacation in Rome? You might want to check out this list of the city’s creepiest spots.
1. Catacombs of Rome
Go underground and explore ancient burial grounds
Ideal para: História, Foto, Econômico, Viagens alternativas
The Catacombs of Rome are ancient burial grounds underneath the city streets. In ancient Rome, burials were prohibited inside the city. These underground passages served as a refuge for Christians, Jews, and pagans who wanted to bury instead of burning the dead.
At least 40 catacombs have been rediscovered in recent decades, but only a handful allow public access. That includes the Catacombs of St. Callixtus. These catacombs consist of a labyrinth of narrow tunnels, housing thousands of skeletons and mummified bodies. Therefore, these eerie burial grounds aren’t for the faint of heart.
Catacombs of Rome
2. Colosseum
Explore the city’s iconic amphitheatre
Ideal para: História, Viagens alternativas
The Colosseum is a massive amphitheatre that’s nearly 2,000 years old. Although only a third of the original structure remains, there is much to see in this popular tourist attraction. Once a venue for gladiatorial contests, executions and wild animal fights, the Colosseum often provided gory entertainment for ancient Romans.
It’s said that the souls of the gladiators still linger around the passages in the amphitheatre. The Hypogeum, the chambers which housed the gladiators, is open to visitors after years of restoration efforts. During your visit, you might just see a ghost or hear the clanking of metal chains. Leia mais
Localização: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Abre: Daily from 8.30 am to 7 pm
Telefone: +39 06 3996 7700
Colosseum
3. Palazzo de Cupis
Stay the night at a 15th-century hotel
Ideal para: História, Viagens alternativas
Palazzo de Cupis is a boutique hotel in Piazza Navona, a public square frequented by locals and tourists alike. From its chic suites, you’ll have great views of the square, the shops, and the street artists below.
Built in the 15th century, Palazzo de Cupis exudes that old-world charm yet offers modern amenities to its guests. There aren’t a lot of tales of the paranormal inside the hotel itself. However, there have been sightings of the ghost of Costanza Conti de Cupis in the area. Onlookers from the square say that her hand, which was amputated due to a terrible infection and ultimately caused her death, can sometimes be seen on the hotel’s windowpanes. If you’re brave enough to confirm the stories, stay the night at this boutique hotel.
Localização: Via di Santa Maria dell’Anima, 10, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Palazzo de Cupis
4. Ponte Sant’Angelo (St. Angelo Bridge)
Cross the bridge of angels
Ideal para: História, Foto, Econômico, Viagens alternativas
Ponte Sant’Angelo was built over the Tiber river. It connects Piazza di Ponte Sant’Angelo to the Castel Sant’Angelo, originally a mausoleum for Roman emperor Hadrian. The bridge is lined with 10 beautiful angels sculpted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Despite its beautiful design, the landmark has a rather dark past.
In the 16th century, the bodies of the executed were displayed on the St. Angelo Bridge. Legend has it that their souls still wander the bridge at night. The most famous figure to haunt this bridge is Beatrice Cenci, a noblewoman who was executed with her family for plotting against their abusive patriarch. Leia mais
Localização: Ponte Sant’Angelo, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Ponte Sant'Angelo (St. Angelo Bridge)
5. Ponte Sisto
Wait for the lady in a carriage
Ideal para: História, Foto, Econômico, Viagens alternativas
Ponte Sisto is a pedestrian bridge in Rome. It isn’t as elaborate as other bridges in Rome. However, just like the neighbouring Ponte Sant’Angelo, it’s said to be haunted by the ghost of Donna Olimpia Pamphili.
She was Pope Innocent X’s sister-in-law, who worked her way into the Pope’s inner circle. They were so close that people bribed her to gain access to the Pope. While she didn’t pass away on this bridge, she supposedly appears on the anniversary of the Pope’s death, fleeing the city on her carriage. Leia mais
Localização: Piazza Trilussa, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Ponte Sisto
6. Piazza del Popolo
Uncover the truth behind a local legend
Ideal para: História, Foto, Econômico, Viagens alternativas
Piazza del Popolo is a large urban square in Rome, where locals and tourists love to get some sun and watch people go about their day. The story goes that the area used to be the burial grounds of the Domitia family, including the infamous Emperor Nero. A walnut tree towered over the area and attracted black crows, which the Romans believed to be physical embodiments of demons. Eventually, Pope Paschal II ordered the tree to be cut down, and the church of Santa Maria del Popolo was built where it stood.
During the day, you can visit the nearby church to admire the works of Caravaggio and Bernini, as well as the Flaminian Obelisk towering over the square.
Localização: Piazza del Popolo, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Piazza del Popolo
7. Via del Governo Vecchio
Explore one of the most haunted streets in Rome
Ideal para: História, Foto, Econômico, Viagens alternativas
Via del Governo Vecchio is a small pathway in Rome that saw a lot of paranormal activity in the 19th century. The owner of a villa located near St. John Lateran used to see nuns passing by his house, leaving his windows fogged up with traces of human figures. In 1861, a poltergeist haunted another building, forcing its occupants to flee.
There have been several reports of paranormal activities in the area, some of which were by police officers. To this day, it’s a popular site for paranormal enthusiasts. You’ll find many Rome ghost tours that include Via del Governo Vecchio in their itinerary.
Via del Governo Vecchio
8. Ponte Salario
Drive across an old Roman bridge
Ideal para: História, Foto, Econômico, Viagens alternativas
Ponte Salario is an old arch bridge along the Aniene River in Rome. The bridge has lost most of its historical character due to past wars, but it is still significant to ghost enthusiasts.
You can’t exactly stop on the bridge for photos. However, if you drive across it, perhaps you’ll see one of Rome’s most famous ghosts. Near Ponte Salario is a villa owned by Epaphroditus, who aided Emperor Nero in taking his own life. It’s said that Nero’s restless ghost occasionally appears on the bridge.
Localização: Salaria-Ponte Salario, 00141 Roma RM, Italy
Ponte Salario
9. Colina del Oppio
Wander around an ancient Roman hill
Ideal para: História, Foto, Econômico, Viagens alternativas
Colina del Oppio is one of 7 hills in Rome. It’s known for its archaeological ruins, including the Baths of Trajan and Titus. Beneath it, you’ll also find Domus Aurea, Emperor Nero’s buried palace. The restless spirit who haunts the area is Valeria Messalina, the young wife of Emperor Claudius. Fed up with her promiscuity, the emperor ordered her to take her own life to spare her from public shaming and execution. The spirit of Messalina wanders around in search of another lover.
If you don’t come across a beautiful ghost on your trip, you might as well visit Domus Aurea. The buried palace is dark and decaying, stripped of the grandeurs it once possessed. Still, it is an exciting option for a hair-raising adventure below the streets of Rome.
Localização: Viale del Monte Oppio, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Colina del Oppio
10. Villa Borghese
Roam around haunted gardens at night
Ideal para: História, Foto, Econômico, Viagens alternativas
Villa Borghese is a landscaped garden in Rome, around 1.7 km north of the Pantheon. During the day, it’s a great place for a quiet and intimate escape from the city. You can explore gorgeous gardens, museums, artworks, and even a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
A huge wall called Muro Torto cuts through Villa Borghese and extends to Piazza del Popolo. In the late 1800s, the area used to be a burial site for victims, thieves, and other petty criminals. The restless spirits of the deceased can still be felt around the area. In particular, the spirits of Targhini and Montanari can be seen roaming near the wall at night. Leia mais
Localização: Piazzale Napoleone I, 00197 Roma RM, Italy
Villa Borghese
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