The 6 Most Haunted Places in Rome: The Dark Side of the Eternal City

The Colosseum is not only a symbol of Rome but also one of its most haunted sites. Thousands of gladiators, prisoners, and wild animals met their end here during bloody battles for entertainment. At night, visitors claim to hear the distant roar of crowds, the clash of swords, and the cries of those who once fought for their lives. Some say a ghostly Roman soldier still patrols the ruins, keeping silent watch over the arena that once echoed with death and glory.

Built by Emperor Hadrian, Ponte Sant’Angelo is admired for its angel statues and stunning views of the Tiber River. Yet, as night falls, its beauty takes a chilling turn. According to legend, the ghost of Beatrice Cenci appears here every September 11, carrying her severed head. Beatrice was executed nearby for killing her abusive father. Locals say her spirit returns to cross the bridge, repeating her final walk in sorrow and silence under the pale Roman moon.

Today, Piazza del Popolo is a lively and elegant square filled with art, music, and cafes. But centuries ago, it was home to Emperor Nero’s burial site. A great walnut tree, said to grow from his ashes, was believed to draw demons and restless spirits. To cleanse the area, Pope Paschal II cut it down and built the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo over it. Yet, some visitors claim to still feel strange energy here, as if Nero’s tormented spirit has never truly left.

Beneath the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione lies one of the eeriest sites in Rome: the Capuchin Crypt. Decorated with the bones of more than 4,000 monks, its chambers display skulls, rib cages, and skeletons arranged into patterns, arches, and chandeliers. The monks created this macabre art to remind everyone of life’s shortness. Visitors often describe feeling a chill or hearing faint rustling sounds, as though the spirits of the monks still linger, praying in eternal silence among their own remains.

Ponte Sisto looks peaceful during the day, with its calm views over the Tiber. But at midnight, locals whisper that a black carriage appears, racing across the bridge. Inside rides the ghost of Donna Olimpia Maidalchini, known for her greed and power during the time of Pope Innocent X. She fled the city in life with gold-filled chests, and now her spirit is doomed to cross the bridge endlessly. Some claim to hear the echo of hooves or see her shadow vanish into the misty river below.

Hidden inside the Church of the Sacred Heart of Suffrage, the Museum of Purgatory is one of Rome’s strangest and smallest museums. It displays items marked by spirits believed to be trapped between heaven and hell. Burned handprints, scorched books, and singed clothing are said to show the desperate attempts of souls reaching out for prayers. The small, dimly lit room fills visitors with unease, making them question whether the souls of the dead can truly leave the world of the living.