Creepy Secrets: Discover Volterra's Abandoned Psychiatric Hospital!

Creepy Secrets: Discover Volterra's Abandoned Psychiatric Hospital!

Summertime is just around the corner and many people are starting to plan their vacations. No matter whether by car or plane – the trend towards extraordinary travel destinations is increasing. “Lost Places”, i.e. abandoned places that have an eerie fascination, are particularly popular. One such place that has come into increasing focus in recent years is the psychiatric hospital in Volterra, Italy.

Volterra, a town in picturesque Tuscany, is home to the Ospedale Psichiatrico, founded in 1888 near the monastery of San Girolamo. The institution initially housed around 100 patients, but over the course of the 20th century the number of inmates rose to thousands, often against their will. Conditions in the clinic were catastrophic and included practices such as electroshock therapy, isolation cells and forced restraints.

The dark history of the institution

The closed institution is considered an example of cruel treatment methods that ultimately led to its closure. Before the closure, Ferri Pavilion, a forensic ward, was overcrowded with up to 6,000 patients. The diagnoses ranged from depression to schizophrenia to politically motivated crimes. In the 1950s and 60s the institution became one of the largest in Italy with over 100,000 cubic meters of space.

Particularly noteworthy is the patient Fernando Oreste Nannetti, who began painting the walls of the institution in 1958 with his thoughts and feelings in the form of graffiti. His works, which represent a kind of encyclopedia of words, poems and drawings, are now recognized as examples of Art Brut. After his death in 1994, he was even awarded Civic Merit by the city of Volterra.

Current situation and visitor information

The Ospedale Psychiatrico di Volterra is now considered a sought-after lost place, but also attracts numerous tourists interested in its dark history. Unfortunately, a tour of the main buildings is not possible due to the risk of collapse. Only the modernized outbuildings continue to be used by the local hospital. The institution has been closed to the public since July 2020, adding to its mysterious aura.

At a time when interest in abandoned places is increasing, Volterra, with its tragic past, remains a fascinating destination for adventurers and history buffs. The history of the Ospedale Psichiatrico is not only a reminder of past mistakes, but also an indication of the need for reforms in psychiatric care.