The treacherous trysts of Countess Matelda at Poppi Castle

Poppi Castle is a beautiful mediaeval castle located in the picturesque town of Poppi, in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. Dating back to the 12th century, the castle has been beautifully preserved and offers visitors a glimpse into Tuscany’s rich history. The castle’s imposing stone walls and towers are surrounded by lush greenery and offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can explore the castle’s interior, which features a museum with exhibits on the history of the castle and the surrounding area. One notable element of the castle’s history is the bloody legend of Countess Matelda. It is said in some stories that the noblewoman was forced to marry a much older Count Guidi, and with her desires unfulfilled, she turned to the most handsome men of the village to satiate her overwhelming desires. Fearing her husband’s retribution for these trysts, she would trick these young men into exiting the castle via a secret exit where there was a trapdoor built into the floor. Inevitably, the men would fall to their deaths in this trap; this happened on so many occasions that the villagers became suspicious. The countess lust was an open secret among the villagers; they knew exactly where to find the culprit for these disappearances. The anger of the mob came to a head one day, and the villagers took their revenge, confronting the lady of the house and walling her up in the castle tower, sending her to a slow and painful death. Her anguished spirit is said to roam the castle halls and many rooms to this day.
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