The Insane Asylums of Venice: A Dark History
Venice hides a lesser-known past—one tied to the isolation of its islands. Among the most haunting reminders of this past are its former insane asylums, located on three remote islands: San Clemente, San Servolo, and Poveglia. These islands, once home to those deemed mentally ill or socially unfit, have chilling histories that linger to this day. The main reason why Venice used to have so many mental hospitals, is just because it was easy to isolate problematic people on these islands around the Venetian Lagoon. Here is our guide to the insane asylums of Venice.
San Clemente: From Monastery to Asylum to Luxury Retreat
San Clemente Island, just a mile south of Venice, was originally a monastery founded in 1131. It provided refuge for pilgrims and later became a spiritual retreat. However, in the 19th century, as mental health institutions expanded in Venice, San Clemente was transformed into an insane asylum in 1873. Patients with severe disorders were sent here, and many lived out their days in seclusion.
The asylum closed in 1992, leaving the island abandoned for a time. Today, San Clemente has been reborn as a luxury hotel—San Clemente Palace Kempinski. Guests staying at this five-star retreat might not realise they are walking the same halls that once confined those deemed unfit for society. This island is reachable by private boat only. Here is our guide to the insane asylums of Venice.
San Servolo: The “Island of the Mad”
Of all the psychiatric institutions in Venice, San Servolo Island housed the most infamous. Originally a Benedictine monastery, it became a military hospital in the 18th century. By 1725, it was converted into an asylum for men suffering from mental illness—later admitting women as well.
San Servolo was one of the most advanced mental hospitals of its time, with medical research conducted on-site. However, like most asylums of the era, it was also a place of suffering. Treatments ranged from therapeutic approaches to more controversial methods, including primitive electroshock therapy.
The hospital closed in 1978, following Italy’s mental health reform. Today, San Servolo serves as a museum and cultural center, hosting exhibitions, conferences, and events. The Museum of Madness, located on the island, preserves the history of psychiatric care in Venice, displaying old medical instruments, records, and eerie photographs. This island is reachable by public water bus (line number 20) or by private boat.
Poveglia: Most Haunted Island in Venice
Poveglia has earned a sinister reputation, often called the most haunted island in the world. The island’s dark past began during the Black Death in the 18th century when it was used as a quarantine station for plague victims. Thousands died here, and their remains were burned or buried in mass graves.
In 1922, a psychiatric hospital was established on Poveglia. Patients allegedly claimed to see ghosts of plague victims, but their distress was dismissed as insanity. Legend has it that a mad doctor performed cruel experiments on the mentally ill before throwing himself from the hospital’s bell tower.
The asylum shut down in 1968, leaving the island abandoned. Today, Poveglia remains off-limits to the public, with crumbling buildings overtaken by nature. Despite its eerie past, adventurers and ghost hunters still attempt to visit, drawn by its reputation as one of Italy’s most haunted locations. For a detailed article about this spooky island, click here
A Unique Way of Discovering Venice
The story of Venetian asylums reflects a time when mental illness was deeply misunderstood, and isolation was seen as a solution. While San Clemente has embraced luxury and San Servolo now educates visitors on its past, Poveglia remains a haunting reminder of the forgotten souls who once lived there.
For travellers intrigued by history, mystery, and the darker side of Venice, don’t hesitate to drop a message here on Vidal Venice Tours, in order to organise a boat tour to these islands!