Halloween in Lombardy

Ghostly villages and palaces, haunted by the spirits of tormented souls, beckon only the bravest to explore their surreal environments.

As autumn unfolds, Lombardia is enshrouded in dark colours and enigmatic atmospheres, creating a perfect backdrop for Halloween celebrations.

During this season, the region turns into a realm of haunting allure and forsaken places that seem to be taken straight from eerie tales. If you are looking for a Halloween experience like no other, you have just found it: La Vecchia Dogana in Ubiale Clanezzo along the Brembo River, the Castello dell’Innominato in Somasca, the Ossuary of Solferino, the Paolo Gorini Museum in Lodi, the Bodenti Terni de Gregory Palace in Crema, and the Mills of Piero, Monteviasco, Consonno, and Rovaiolo Vecchio are nine remarkable places that will immerse you into the ghostly ambiance of Halloween.

From ancient ruins and ominous castles to spectral ossuaries and museums of morbid anatomy, these nine places will take you in an unforgettable expedition through Lombardy's most chilling fall atmospheres.

La Vecchia Dogana a Ubiale Clanezzo (BG) — In Ubiale Clanezzo, by the Brembo River, the “antica dogana” [customs house] in time long past once served to collect tolls from those wishing to cross the waterway. The ruins of this building now exude a hauntingly evocative ambiance, heightened by the presence of the stone bridge and a watchtower that once housed its keeper. Very close to the customs house, visitors can cross Lombardy's oldest Tibetan bridge, but pay attention to its eerie creaks! This place offers an ideal excursion during the Halloween season, promising an experience shrouded in both mystery and enchantment.

Castello dell’Innominato a Somasca (LC) — An ancient fortress dating back to the 14th century stands atop a hill overlooking the Vercurago area and its lake. Once under the dominion of the Visconti it was built during the tumultuous conflicts between Milan and Venice. In 1509 French troops dismantled it and the fortress materials were subsequently repurposed by the locals. Today, what is left of the fortress are its perimeter wall, bastions, towers, and a carved rock staircase. It bears a spectral connection to the “Innominato” a symbolically violent and feared character in Manzoni's “I promessi sposi”. The author painted the fortress as a spectral, sinister place, entwining it with themes of death and desolation, in perfect Halloween style.

Ossario di Solferino (MN) — Near Mantua one can find the hauntingly captivating Ossario di Solferino. This church solemnly guards the remains of 7,000 soldiers who met their fate in the terrifying battle of 1859. A visit here sends shivers down one’s spine: skulls and bones bear silent witness to historical horror, creating an eerie atmosphere. In this place, the restless shadows of the past seem to stir. What day could be more fitting for a visit than Halloween?"

Museo Paolo Gorini a Lodi — Within the dimly lit hall of Paolo Gorini's anatomical collection, sectioned limbs and organs eerily retain their sinister, original appearance. Mummified heads, their spectral faces forever fixing visitors with an unyielding stare, alongside the body of the young, mummified Pasquale Barbieri, conjure an ambiance not suited for the feeble-hearted. Deformities, maladies, and genetic anomalies, forever still in time, lay bare the dark underbelly of human anatomy. This historic and educational collection summons an eerie atmosphere, where science entwines with mystery, in perfect tune with Halloween night.

Palazzo Bodenti Terni de Gregory a Crema (CR) — The Bondenti Terni de Gregory Palace, an amazing example of the region's rococo architecture, stands majestically in the heart of Crema. Its enigmatic charm emerging from its incomplete state, makes it an ideal setting for those daring souls seeking Halloween-style explorations. Tragedy struck during the construction of the palace when the young son of the Bondenti tragically plunged to his death from a scaffolding, creating legends of a head-carrying ghost wandering through the unfinished wing. Rumors suggest that this apparition makes its presence known on stormy nights, accompanied by ethereal screams, ominous sounds, and mysterious lights. (Credits: turismocrema.it)

Mulini di Piero sul Monte Lema (VA) — Located on the slopes of Mount Lema, the Piero village is a hidden treasure offering a unique Halloween experience. Its narrow alleys and stone stairways evoke the charm of an ancient ghostly village. The Piero mills, built from local stone and timber, seem like relics brought back to life from the past. Having been abandoned for many years, these mills have been restored recently and seem to magically operate again, driven by the waters of the Giona stream. In Piero, the serenity of ancient times seamlessly merges with the allure of Halloween, making it a must-visit for those intrigued by mystery.

Monteviasco (VA) — Monteviasco is a tiny village with a mere seven residents and it is accessible only by foot or cable car. Immersed in silence and nature, devoid of roads or cars, it remains an oasis where the hustle of modernity has yet to shatter the ghostly calm that gracefully falls with the twilight during October evenings. Amidst the fall colours, stone dwellings and crumbling huts weave a tapestry of enchantment and spectral allure, capturing the imagination of wanderers in this secluded and untouched locale.

Consonno (LC) — Consonno, once hailed as the Las Vegas of Brianza, now stands as a ghost town, having been isolated from the world by a landslide in 1976. Initially acquired by Count Mario Bagno in the 1960s with visions of crafting an amusement park, it boasted structures inspired by global architecture such as minarets, gaming rooms, and Egyptian sphinxes. Legend goes that it was the curse of the sphinx that led to its ruin. Nowadays, Consonno is shrouded in mystery with its grand and abandoned installations embraced by the autumn fog and accompanied by the specter of Count Bagno, eternally condemned to wander through the ruins.

Rovaiolo Vecchio (PV) — Suspended amidst mist and tranquility, Rovaiolo Vecchio stands as a forsaken and deserted village, seemingly frozen in time since the inhabitants fled in 1960, anticipating a landslide that never came to pass. While the ravages of time and decay are evident, the homes' interiors bear an eerie semblance of invisible occupancy. Once a bustling stopover for travellers along the “Via del Sale”, this village is a must-see destination for those drawn to the mountain’s enchanting silence and who savor a gentle thrill, elicited by the soft, unexpected whisper of rustling leaves. (Credits: visitpavia.it)

Theatre and music: online events

Spettacoli da seguire dal divano di casa

Lifestyle

What to see in Lombardy

A remarkable artistic heritage, a variety of landscapes, rich cultural traditions... all waiting to be discovered!

Lifestyle

Brera market sunday antiques in milan

Where once there were fields, today there is a lively district of art and antiquity

Lifestyle

Travelling on historic trains

Vintage trains offer unprecedented views of Lombardy's landscapes, for a priceless experience that combines history and beauty.

Lifestyle

Milan: six trend-setting neighbourhoods

Art and architecture. But also sports and good food. Discover six neighbourhoods with us where Milan sets the trend.

Lifestyle

Tour of the Monza ENI Circuit

Take a tour of the most exclusive areas and the track of the Monza Circuit with the Autodromo guide

Lifestyle

Monza in a weekend

From the Treasure of Theodelinda to the thrill of the Autodromo. Discover Monza in 48 hours: a twospeed city. With amazing masterpieces

Lifestyle

Via torino milano

The road to reach the port of Milan is lined with ancient pavè. Follow it and you will not get lost!

Lifestyle

10 good reasons to visit Lodi

Lifestyle

Masterpieces of cinema shot in Lombardy

The most beautiful natural landscapes and the urban cityscapes of Lombardy in the films of both Italian and foreign directors

Lifestyle

Trams in milan

Take a seat on its wooden benches and enjoy a journey through the old days in Milanese history and tradition

Lifestyle

Mantua and Sabbioneta itinerary

Relax and take some time to stroll through the streets and buildings of the World Heritage cities

Lifestyle

Street art brings a splash of colour to Lombardy

Discovering the most beautiful urban art in the cities of Lombardy

Lifestyle

Historical activities in Sondrio

Between tradition and specialty: discover the historical food and wine realities in Valtellina

Lifestyle

Pedü

Hand made by the women in Lanzada, Pedü were by far the most common footwear in Valmalenco until the 1950s.

Lifestyle

Retro lombardy out in a vintage car

Add a breathtaking landscape to a vintage car and enjoy your romantic trip

Lifestyle

Aperitifs with lakeside views and atmosphere

Five ideas for spending summer evenings on Lombardy’s lakes, in a sensory journey that combines notes and flavours.

Lifestyle

Milan from the Top

With its skyscrapers to challenge the dizzy heights of the Duomo and the surrounding mountains ...

Lifestyle

5 glamorous experiences in Lombardy

Lombardy offers glamorous experiences that combine the allure of luxury with the discovery of natural and cultural treasures

Lifestyle

VIP Tour at Monza ENI Circuit

Experience all the thrills of the Monza Circuit with a super-exclusive visit..

Lifestyle