Ghosts in Rome

When talking about creepy stories, Rome has a lot to offer. Will you be brave enough to meet Roman ghosts? Let’s find it out!

The world is full poor anguished souls who can’t find peace after death. They can only continue to “live” in their hometown as ghosts.
Those who had the pleasure to meet the Roman ghosts described them as frightening, crazy, painful and… chatty. How lovely!

Nero and Messalina

Nero, one of the craziest emperors of Rome. He usually appears both on the Via Nomentana and at Piazza del Popolo, where he was buried. Apparently, he can not rest in peace because of a tree risen on his grave – not surprised, have you ever tried to sleep with a tree growing on your chest?

In life, Messalina was the wife of the emperor Claudio. Now, she is the empress of Roman ghosts. A sensual and passionate woman who used to spend every night with a different lover. Claudio, unhappy, ordered to his servant to kill her.
Death hasn’t changed her: she still walks around Colle Oppio, looking for her next lover.

Olimpia Maidalchini and Beatrice Cenci

Olimpia Maidalchini is one of the most famous Roman ghosts.
She married a rich – and ill – man who unfortunately died few months later, leaving her alone – and rich. With her second marriage, she became the sister-in-law of Pope Innocent X.
Olimpia proved herself to be a very stingy woman: when the Pope died, she stole from his room all money, jewels and treasures she could find and left the town. She even didn’t wanted to pay for his funeral! She claimed to be just a widow, who could not afford such a huge expense.
On January 6, every year, you can see her ghost on Ponte Sisto, running away on her black carriage with bags full of coins.

Beatrice Cenci has one of the saddest stories ever.
Her father, Francesco, was the most evil and immoral man on earth. Since Beatrice was a child, Francesco often abused of her. Tired of him, the whole family hired a killer to end it once for all. Unfortunately, the killer confessed.
Even though the Pope knew about Francesco’s behavior, he still decided to sentence them all. On September 11, Beatrice was decapitated.
Her ghost appears in her family palace, with the purpose of discourage all the fathers from any incestuous attention towards their daughters.

Angelo Targhini and Leonida Montanari

These two rebels had been decapitated in 1825. Their ghosts usually walk around the area of Muro Torto, holding their heads. No peculiarities in their story, quite a normal execution we would say.
But, those of you who are brave enough to watch them right in their eyes, could gain their respect: as a gift, they will tell you the winning number of the lottery. So kind!

Mastro Titta

Last, but not least, the most important Roman ghost: Mastro Titta. A real VIP in Rome, the official executioner of the City!
From the XIII to the XIX century, all executions were public: a special show for everyone, appreciated especially by popes and cardinals.
In 670 years, Romans had many executioners, a highly desired and well paid job. During his years of service, Mastro Titta wrote a diary recording all his customers: name, age, crime, punishment, their last wish…  Since he started when 17 until his retirement, he executed 516 persons.

Every morning, at the sunrise, his ghost quietly walks around Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza del Popolo and Santa Maria in Cosmedin, wearing his red uniform and offering some tobacco as he used to do with condemned.

How interesting, isn’t it? Maybe a bit terrifying but, still, amazing. As always, if you want to know more, just write us!