If you enjoy learning about exciting stories passed down through history then you’d thoroughly enjoy visiting Crevole castle in the province of Siena to hear about the terrifying legend of the Howling bishop! There is a wealth of tuscan vacation rentals available in this picturesque area to stay in and tour around the castle where this story was born.
Donosdeo Malavolti was a well known bishop in the dioceses of Siena in the 14th century. His religious territory included Crevole castle that was often the scene of many battles between Florence and Siena. His interests leaned more towards fighting on the battlefields to defend his people rather than acting as their religious preacher. He was highly respected and many loyally followed his military plans. He ordered for the castle’s defences to be strengthened and used all his power in the church to build his forces against Florence. Anyone who disputed his tactics were threatened and silenced very quickly.
Donosdeo Malavolti was a well known bishop in the dioceses of Siena in the 14th century. His religious territory included Crevole castle that was often the scene of many battles between Florence and Siena. His interests leaned more towards fighting on the battlefields to defend his people rather than acting as their religious preacher. He was highly respected and many loyally followed his military plans. He ordered for the castle’s defences to be strengthened and used all his power in the church to build his forces against Florence. Anyone who disputed his tactics were threatened and silenced very quickly.
He always battled out on the front line but during one particularly bloody siege by the Florentines, Donosdeo Malavolti was struck down and died. Two centuries passed and Crevole castle was still in Siena’s ownership but Florence attempted another ferocious battle to siege control once more. This time they won and quickly started dismantling the castle to prevent the Sienese from ever using it against them again. As night fell, the Florentine soldiers started noticing some strange occurrences. Many claimed to have seen the ghost of the Bishop, dressed in sacred garments and holding a huge crucifix over their heads as he howled at the moon! They fled in terror but it’s said that the bishop’s ghost lingered for many years after, protecting the land from any further attacks. People didn’t dare to live there for many years.
It is said that he continues to roam around the ruins of Crevole castle searching for a beloved library he spent much of his time in that had been built under the foundations of the castle but no evidence of this has been found. It seems that the howling bishop is doomed to roam these lands until he finds what cannot be found!
This exciting tale was brought to life in an Italian documentary series telling stories of the most famous legends of Tuscany and can be bought via this link. Other related articles will give you an insight to these legends and other not mentioned in the documentary that might be of help when planning what to do and see during your thrilling vacation to Tuscany!
Photo credits
picture 1: Pax:Vobiscum / CC BY-SA;
This exciting tale was brought to life in an Italian documentary series telling stories of the most famous legends of Tuscany and can be bought via this link. Other related articles will give you an insight to these legends and other not mentioned in the documentary that might be of help when planning what to do and see during your thrilling vacation to Tuscany!
Photo credits
picture 1: Pax:Vobiscum / CC BY-SA;
