In Emilia-Romagna, just a few kilometers from Ferrara, you will find a particular very atmospheric and dark structure within a small village; we are talking about Villa Magnoni.
Photos by Gaia Biasini📸
Villa Magnoni stands in an area that's far from the other residences in the village, more precisely on the edge of a dense forest. It consists of a residential structure, which is its main part, and some stables. Moreover, the presence of a garden can be seen, in which vegetation grows as far as the eye can see, surrounding much of the perimeter.
Mystery that envelops the villa is easily perceived as soon as one arrives close to the building; several legends haunt the abandoned residence, which seem, over time, to have even influenced its purchase. Even though Villa Magnoni has been in a state of total abandonment for some time, some years ago a local businessman attempted to purchase it; he was unsuccessful in any way in contacting the owner or one of his heirs. So it appears that the initiative of some people to want to renovate and make this residence habitable is only a distant dream that we may never see come to reality.
THE LEGEND OF THE WITCH WHO WATCHES
The legend of Villa Magnoni tells about a witch, guardian of the mansion, who wanted revenge against a group of young boys who, for fun, to challenge fear, or just because they were attracted by the mystery of the obscure residence, decided to enter inside the villa.
The story says that on a hot summer night, in the mid '80s, four teenagers entered inside the mansion, and began to explore it starting from the ground floor, where everything seemed to be quiet. Once upstairs, however, trouble began; first they risked falling down due to a hole that had been created in the floor, then suddenly they heard screams that seemed to belong to a child.
Photo by Valerio Grandi📸
The four boys were terrified; they knew the mansion had been abandoned for years, so they ran outside but found that there was no one else outside except them.
They barely had time to look up when they saw a silhouette through the window. What the silhouette looked like was a very old woman who, frighteningly, threatened them to leave.
Leaving the garden, the boys took the car and sped through the night at full speed in an attempt to get away from Villa Magnoni as quickly as possible, but after a couple of meters, the car lost control and ended up off the road. In the impact, three of the four teens lost their lives, and the fourth told the police what happened.
Authorities had the villa's entrances and windows walled up, but only after a few days one window appeared unblocked. The same window from which the mysterious old woman would have looked out.
Others, however, tell that the Municipality decided to close all access to the villa because it was unsafe and at risk of collapse, and the only opening that was left free was precisely the famous window known for that terrifying apparition, because it was considered unreachable.
To this day, the only survivor of the accident is unaccounted for; neither his name nor current residence is known.
Photo by Valerio Grandi📸
Since that day, hundreds of curious people, fascinated by stories of ghosts and creepy presences, have ventured there, and they swear they have heard woman's whispers inside the mansion intimating them to leave. Other people tell of children's screams and abnormal shadows near the window, but it's hard to tell if these are merely suggestions or inventions. However, in every legend, there is always a kernel of truth.
According to latest updates found on the web, Villa Magnoni still appears to be abandoned and frequented by people who love mystery and urbex. It is said that the villa belongs today to the Italian Red Cross, and there is no interest in selling it.
Besides, who would have the courage to buy it?...
Photo by Valerio Grandi📸
THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS IN NO WAY
TO ENCOURAGE THE READER OR INVITE TO EXPLORING.
ALL LOCATIONS MENTIONED WITHIN THE URBEX CAFE
ARE IN RUINS AND ARE OFTEN A DANGER OF COLLAPSE.
WHOEVER DECIDES TO VENTURE OUT TAKES
EVERY CONSCIOUS RISK.
LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS AND TAKE ONLY PHOTOS.
