SET in the Venetian Lagoon in northern Italy, the fortified island of Poveglia enjoys a nasty reputation. Shunned by local fishermen, the island is a huge draw for thrill-seekers who believe the island is full of ghosts thirsting for revenge.

In the 18^th century, Poveglia was a checkpoint for all people and good entering and leaving Venice by ship. In 1793, there was an outbreak of the plague on two ships. Poveglia was chose as a temporary quarantine station for the patients, a role it continued to fulfill until 1814. Thousand perished on the island.

In 1922, the buildings there were converted into a mental asylum. Rumour has it that a doctor conducted illegal and crude brain surgeries   on the inmates. It is said that he was later so disturbed by the ghosts of Poveglia that he jumped off the bell tower on the island. The island functioned as an asylum until 1968, after which it was abandoned.

A couple of plague pits have been unearthed on the island, which contain the remains of the bodies that were buried or burnt. Fishermen do not fish in the vicinity to avoid catching human remains in their fishing nets. The ruins of the crumbling building have been overtaken by the surrounding vegetation.

Given the circumstances, Poveglia is touted as the most haunted place on earth. People report hearing moans and cries of the plague patients who once lived there. The government tried to auction a 99 year lease of the island in 2014. It was bought by an ltalian businessman who later gave up his plans of developing it. While the island continues to languish from neglect, it has been featured on popular television shows, highlighting its eeriness.