When planning a Halloween trip, Puglia might not be the first destination springing to your mind. Halloween, after all, is not an Italian tradition, is it? And yet, partly because of Hollywood and partly because we are all constantly looking for a good excuse to be scared, it is increasingly more common for Italians to celebrate it, one way or another. What you may not know is that Puglia is full of beautiful castles and fortresses that once belonged to ancient families, noblemen or kings. These fortresses were built mostly between the Middle Ages and the Baroque period, when Puglia was a very wealthy region, ruled by a variety of different dynasties. Nowadays, most of these castles can be visited and some of them are rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of former inhabitants who died tragically within their walls. Here are 3 haunted castles you must visit if you decide to spend Halloween in Puglia!

Castello di Carlo V - the Lady and the Drum

There's a castle on the coast of Monopoli, near Bari, which attracts many tourists every year. Castello di Carlo V is located in Monopoli, near Bari.

The people who visit it always have one thing in mind: the mysterious lady with her drum. People from all over the world have claimed to have seen and heard this woman.

This castle was built in the 16th century, and it’s one of the most important castles of Puglia. The legend mentions the evanescent figure of a woman, who is said to be roaming the halls beating out a clear rhythm on her instrument. Most of the witnesses, over the years, were fishermen who happened to be sailing or rowing in the vicinity of the castle at night. Several of them claimed to have seen her suddenly appearing on the ramparts of the castle. She is always described as wearing an elegant white gown that flows down to her feet, with a white veil covering her face. The mysterious drum rhythm is said to be so loud that it can be heard from afar, resonating from within the castle walls.

Castello di Otranto

The castle gives the title to the first ever gothic novel, The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole. It was written in 1764 and it became a bestseller. But that's not all.

The castle is said to be haunted by the headless ghost of Giulio Antonio Acquaviva, count of Conversano who was killed by the Turks during an ambush during the campaign to reconquer Otranto. His head was sent to Constantinople as a war trophy. The legend says that the bloodstained ghost can be expected to appear riding a horse, especially on hot summer nights, and to roam the dungeon, occasionally venturing outside along the perimeter of the castle.

The whole gothic genre was born with this castle in mind, so if you want to catch up on your literary history while enjoying an epic ghost story, this is definitely the place for you!

Castle of Trani

The Castle of Trani is a beautiful medieval castle that is said to be haunted by the ghost of Armida, who was locked in the tower by her husband for cheating on him with a noble knight. Maddened by jealousy, the castle's lord killed his rival and then locked his wife away and left her to die.

Armida's ghost is said to have roamed through the castle's halls ever since, looking for her lost love. Many have witnesses have described her as having unnaturally blue eyes and jet-black hair.

Are you ready for Halloween in Puglia?

It’s the time of year when we all prepare to scare ourselves silly with spooky stories, costumes, and candy. But this October, why not add another destination to your list? Puglia is an unusual and yet great destination for Halloween. The local folklore is rich in scary stories and traditions.

The castles of Puglia are amazing to visit any time of year, but the Halloween season is extra special. A spooky castle and its surroundings can make for a great Halloween adventure. Whether you’re looking for thrills or just want to experience some spooky sites on your holiday in Puglia, these three castles and their stories will keep you entertained and send a few chills down your spine!

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