The Montebello Castle, located in the province of Rimini, is famous for the legend of the ghost of Azzurrina, a little girl who mysteriously disappeared in the 1300s.

Shrouded in mystery, this evocative place attracts visitors each year who are fascinated by tales of eerie presences and ghostly atmospheres.

Nestled in Valmarecchia, a picturesque valley in Romagna rich in history and diverse local products, Montebello appears almost unexpectedly. On the road to San Leo, you’ll spot a sign for the “Castle of Azzurrina,” referring to Montebello Castle, renowned for the ghostly legend surrounding it.

Our reaction? “Azzurrina??” We couldn’t resist—although we weren’t looking for it, we immediately decided to visit the castle, a dream destination for anyone who loves ghost stories.

What makes Montebello Castle stand out among other fortresses in Romagna is a tale rooted in a real event: the mysterious disappearance of little Azzurrina in 1375. That alone is enough to give you chills.

Historical Overview of Montebello Castle

While it’s unclear whether prehistoric or pagan Celtic populations first inhabited the area, what is certain is the Roman settlement. The Romans recognized both the beauty and strategic significance of the site. The fortress that guarded the village was nearly impenetrable, earning its name “Montebello,” which doesn’t refer to the beauty of the hill but instead comes from the Latin Mons Belli, meaning “Mountain of War.”

The Village of Montebello

Today, little remains of its menacing past aside from its name. The village is well-preserved, though modern renovations are visible in the lower section near the fortress. The upper part, however, retains all its charm. Walking along the cobblestone streets, you’ll find quaint shops, a civic tower, and the Church of St. Peter the Apostle. This little corner of the Middle Ages offers a tranquil stroll in an atmosphere of times gone by.

The silence here is surreal—broken only by cicadas, as cars are too far away to disturb the peace. The tidy, clean streets create a delicate, almost sacred balance, where even the faintest sound feels out of place.

Montebello Castle

From the stone staircase, you reach the entrance. Passing through the door, a noticeable chill fills the air, thanks to the thick walls. The castle, currently owned by the Counts Guidi di Bagno, is partially inhabited but offers guided tours (with an entrance fee) through its Renaissance apartments and older, unrestored medieval sections.

The Renaissance rooms feature period furniture and curiosities, like a chest built directly into a room with its lock hidden among decorative studs. A fascinating credenza (sideboard) is also on display, named for the tradition of having a “taster” sample food for poison before serving it to guests.

The Medieval Section of Montebello Castle

The transition between the Renaissance and medieval areas is striking. A staircase leads to a narrow, uneven descent with a few traps, like a misaligned step and a deceptively low doorway.

Once outside on the ramparts, the view is breathtaking. You can see the entire valley, including San Marino and nearby castles. Inside the medieval section, the grandeur of the Renaissance rooms gives way to bare, austere spaces—this is where Azzurrina’s ghost is said to linger.

The Legend of Azzurrina’s Ghost

We reach the most emotionally charged part of the visit: the passage narrows, the stairs grow steeper, and the atmosphere becomes palpably eerie. Entering the room where, according to legend, little Azzurrina disappeared on June 21, 1375, sends a chill down your spine.

Azzurrina, whose real name was Guendalina, was an albino child—a condition that, at the time, aroused fears of witchcraft. Her pale skin and white hair with bluish hues earned her the nickname Azzurrina, but also made her a target of prejudice. Her father, Uguccione Della Faggiola, refused to recognize her, doubting her legitimacy.

To protect her from accusations of witchcraft, Azzurrina lived confined to the castle under constant guard. But on that fateful day in 1375, the seven-year-old girl entered a room with no exits—a storage pantry. Moments later, a piercing scream shattered the silence. The guards rushed in, but Azzurrina was gone without a trace.

Her disappearance remains a chilling mystery. To this day, visitors report hearing strange sounds, and the legend of Azzurrina’s ghost continues to captivate paranormal enthusiasts and curious onlookers. Many claim to hear the voice of a child crying out in the dark, captured in recordings played during tours.

Could there be anything more terrifying than a child’s scream in the silence of the night?

Typical Cuisine of Valmarecchia

After your visit, enjoy the area’s delicious traditional cuisine, featuring handmade pasta and hearty meat dishes, particularly game. Don’t miss the local wines like Sangiovese and Trebbiano, famous worldwide.

Specialties include Valmarecchia’s signature potatoes, “Cagliostro’s Balm” herbal liqueur, and the cherries of San Leo.

The legend of Azzurrina is one of the most haunting stories I’ve ever encountered. Have you visited Montebello Castle? Have you heard the recordings?

I hope this post can be useful to you. If you have any questions or would like to receive more information, leave me a comment below or visit the Valmarecchia website.

The legend of the ghost of Azzurrina is one of the stories that have most disturbed me lately. Have you ever visited the Montebello Castle? Have you heard the recordings?

Go on traveling!

Lety goes on

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Lety goes on