• 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

Milan, a novel city

Discovering the writers of the past, between the places and the atmospheres of Milan that have inspired great masterpieces of literature
  • Art & Culture
Milan, a novel city

Five Art Refuges in the City

We can reveal some of the finest, most beautiful spaces that perhaps you did not know about
  • Art & Culture
Five Art Refuges in the City - Lombardy

The Winter Songs

The legend of the coldest days in the year
  • Art & Culture
The Winter Songs

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

Autumn trip to villas and castles

An autumn adventure of history & beauty: explore the autumn charm of Lombardy's villas and castles.
  • Art & Culture
Autumn trip to villas and castles

Arlecchino and Brighella

Famous masks of the Italian Carnival tradition
  • Art & Culture
Arlecchino_11403_HR©Ciminaghi-PiccoloTeatroMilano

Fossils Civic Museum

  • Art & Culture
Museo Civico dei Fossili di Besano

Castles Lodi

The history of a glorious past between the castles and fortresses of the Lodi area
  • Art & Culture
Castles Lodi, a guide to Lombardy

Cremona drone effect

Booked a weekend in Cremona? Then you can’t afford to miss piazza del Comune, the stunning heart of the city’s historic centre.
  • Art & Culture
Cremona vista dall'alto

Autumn Events 2025

  • Art & Culture
Autumn Events 2025

A day at the National Museum Leonardo da Vinci

One of the largest science and technology museums in Europe
  • Art & Culture
Museo della Scienza

Lodi, invitation to court

Scenes of court life in the majestic Castle of Sant'Angelo Lodigiano that dominates the plain with an unequaled past
  • Art & Culture
Lodi, invitation to court

Sondrio, the legend of Orlando

Castel Masegra is an imposing building which sits atop a 60m-tall rock, dominating the Sondrio skyline
  • Art & Culture
Sondrio Castello Masegra

The magic of Varesotto's castles

A tour of Varesotto's castles: an itinerary to discover a regional area where time seems to stand still.
  • Art & Culture
The magic of Varesotto's castles

Seriate, and its charming historic villas

  • Art & Culture
Seriate, and its charming historic villas

Theaters Pavia

Opera, prose, dance and theatrical review .... the theater in Pavia and the province is staged
  • Art & Culture
Theaters Pavia, cultural vacations in Lombardy

Nose up in the streets of Milan

We wander around the city observing plaques and inscriptions
  • Art & Culture
Nose up in the streets of Milan

Gentileschi: Rest on the Flight into Egypt

  • Art & Culture
Gentileschi: Rest on the Flight into Egypt

What to see in North Milan

The North Milan Area, between North Park and some must-see gems
  • Art & Culture
North Milan Area

Santo Stefano Ticino

A village to be discovered near Milan
  • Art & Culture
Santo Stefano Ticino, art and agriculture