The Mystery of Azzurrina: The Ghost Child of Montebello Castle

The Mystery of Azzurrina: The Ghost Child of Montebello Castle

Nestled in the heart of Romagna, shrouded in an aura of mystery and legend, stands Montebello Castle of Torriana. This ancient fortress is not only renowned for its history and architecture but also for a tale that has captivated generations: the story of Guendalina, better known as Azzurrina.

Montebello Castle

The Birth of a Legend

Born around 1370, Guendalina was the daughter of Ugolinuccio di Montebello, a feudal lord of the area. The child was albino, a condition viewed with suspicion and superstition at the time. To protect her from gossip and prejudice, her mother decided to dye her hair black. However, the vegetable pigments used were extremely volatile, and the albino hair's poor ability to retain pigments gave the child's locks azure reflections, similar to her eyes. Hence, the nickname "Azzurrina"

The Mysterious Disappearance

On June 21, 1375, while her father was away at battle, Azzurrina was playing in the castle with a rag ball. Outside, a storm raged, and the ball rolled down the stairs leading to the underground icehouse. Azzurrina, always watched by guards Domenico and Ruggero, ventured into the icehouse to retrieve it. The guards heard a scream from the icehouse and rushed in, but found no trace of either the ball or the child. Azzurrina vanished mysteriously, never to be seen again.

The Ghost of Azzurrina

Legend has it that the ghost of Azzurrina still haunts the castle and that her voice can be heard every five years, coinciding with the summer solstice. This phenomenon has drawn the attention of many, turning Montebello Castle into a pilgrimage site for enthusiasts of mysteries and the paranormal.

The Search for Truth

The legend of Azzurrina has been passed down orally for centuries, presumably becoming distorted and embellished over time. It is said that around 1620, a local parish priest wrote down the story in a miscellany of tales from the lower Valmarecchia, titled "Mons belli et Deline". However, this document is only presumed to exist, and no one has ever been able to read it or confirm its existence.

The first mentions of Azzurrina's story date back to 1989, coinciding with the castle's reopening to the public after restoration by the Guidi di Bagno family. This coincidence has raised doubts about the legend's authenticity, suggesting it might have been created for commercial purposes.

Paranormal Investigations

Since the castle's reopening, numerous investigations have been conducted to capture and record the sounds produced by the supposed ghost of Azzurrina. These recordings, made in an amateur fashion, are usually played for visitors at the end of the guided tour. However, in 2010, researchers from CICAP conducted investigations with professional equipment, yielding no significant results.

The legend of Azzurrina continues to intrigue and fascinate. Whether it is a true story or a modern creation, the mystery surrounding Montebello Castle remains intact. Perhaps one day, the truth will emerge, but until then, Azzurrina will remain one of the most enigmatic and captivating figures in Romagna's folklore.