• Art & Culture

The Ghost of Manigunda

In Varese the legend of the ghost of Manigunda to the monastery

Once upon a time, there was a Lombard princess named Manigunda. She was very ill and close to death when an old lady told her: "My dear, perhaps I can help you. I come from Cairate, near Bergoro, you can find there a spring of healing waters. Come visit mie, I am sure that you will feel better if you drink some of it". 

Manigunda went there, drank its waters and felt better soon after. Driven by joy, she made a vow: "To her who lives in Heaven. Grant me life, oh Mistress, and I promise that I will consacrate my existance to you and will found a monastery in your name". Thus she kept drinking and recovered completely.

The princess kept her promise and commissioned the construction of a benedictine monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary, plus she took her vows.

Between the years 1545 and 1563, during restoration efforts, several human bones and skulls were found beside a perfectly preserved coffin containing the skeleton of an elegantly dressed woman: Manigunda herself. These findings are displayed for visitors who book a guided tour.

The monastery indoors have been unhallowed ever since, and the presence of an entity that manifests itself with unexplainable noises and apparitions during nightime has been detected.

Most stay away from this monastery, due to the belief that it might be haunted by the Princess' ghost.

Some may not believe this to be true, though...come visit and find out for yourselves!


Other links

http://www.va.camcom.gov.it
Take me here: The Ghost of Manigunda

On the same topic

Autumn Events 2025

  • Art & Culture
Autumn Events 2025

A day in the life of Leonardo

Art and more: discover a world of intrigue and passions
  • Art & Culture
Castello Sforzesco

6 Discovering Lombardy - virtual tour

Museums and castles to visit from your home
  • Art & Culture
Palazzo Te (Mantova)

Monument Sondrio

Historical, artistic, traditional Sondrio in its many monuments ... and a railway station from which a special train departs
  • Art & Culture
Monument Sondrio, what to see

Lombardy, land of science and engineering

A journey of discovery through the history of technology in Lombardy
  • Art & Culture
Lombardy, land of science and engineering - Diga del Panperduto

The Longobard heritage of Pavia

A journey of discovery to uncover the ancient civilisation of the Longobards through the history of the city of Pavia.
  • Art & Culture
The Longobard heritage of Pavia

10 good reasons visit Pavia

  • Art & Culture
10 good reasons visit Pavia

Museum Varese

Mummies, archaeological finds, design, ancient and contemporary art: museums to suit all tastes!
  • Art & Culture
Museum Varese, what to see?

Castles Brescia

From Sirmione to Breno, from Desenzano to Padernello, a journey through the fortified manors to the discovery of local history
  • Art & Culture
Castles Brescia, discovering Lombardy

Theaters Lodi

Lodi is famous not only for its monumental beauties, but also for the lively cultural activity in its theaters
  • Art & Culture
Theaters Lodi, culture trips in Lombardy

Fossils Civic Museum

  • Art & Culture
Museo Civico dei Fossili di Besano

Brebbia and the pipe factory

In the province of Varese, wet from Lake Maggiore, well protected by a hilly setting hidden from the wind and sudden storms
  • Art & Culture
Saints Peter and Paul Church and the Pipe Museum

11 addresses for villas and parks

Relive the charm of the past between villas, parks and castles in Lombardy
  • Art & Culture
Magical places in Lombardy

Palazzo d'Arco in Mantua

Everyday life of a noble family in the 18th and 19th Century
  • Art & Culture
Palazzo d'Arco in Mantua - ph: Federica Bottoli

5 medieval monuments in Lodi

A journey of discovery through the Middle Ages, from Borghetto Lodigiano to Lodi.
  • Art & Culture
Palazzo Rho_Borghetto Lodigiano

Welcome to Cremona!

Cremona is for everyone
  • Art & Culture
Welcome to Cremona!

Mantua Culture Capital 2016

Mantua city of art, capital of culture
  • Art & Culture
Mantua Culture Capital 2016, discover its wonders

Strolling through Milan's southeastern agricultural park

  • Art & Culture
Milan South Agricultural Park

Milan in the 1920s: Déco and tradition

  • Art & Culture
Milan in the 1920s: Déco and tradition

Visit Villa Reale di Monza

A real journey through history from the Habsburgs to the Savoy.
  • Art & Culture
Camera