Venetians are being encouraged to cough up €99 each to keep developers away from a lonely local island deemed to be one of the most haunted in the world.
Poveglia lies uninhabited in the Venice lagoon. In the 18th century, it had been used to quarantine people who were suffering from infectious diseases. By the 20th century, a nursing home on the island was beset by rumours that experiments were carried out on the mentally ill.
In the midst of the contemporary economic crisis, the Italian government is selling off its assets, such as castles, monasteries and barracks across the land.
It plans to a May auction on a lease of 99 years. Many fear that despite Poveglia’s reputation, developers will convert the abandoned hospital into an upmarket hotel.
Now an impromptu association, “Poveglia for all” is asking Venetians to give €99 each to buy the 17-acre island and create a park and allotment. If the bid fails, contributors will get their money back.
“We could not simply stand by and watch the latest sale of an island to some international hotel group,” said a spokesman for the group. “We want it to stay public, open and for everyone.”
The mayor of Venice has supported the initiative, saying Venice already has enough hotels in its lagoon.
