Il Montebello Castle it is located in Rimini, in Emilia Romagna in the Marecchia and Uso valley, where art, history and nature blend harmoniously. It is not a common castle, in fact what makes it intriguing and mysterious at the same time is the Legend of Azzurrina, handed down orally for about three centuries. What makes this Story so interesting that it has always been a subject of gossip?
The legend of Azzurrina
It all began with the birth of an albino girl, Guendalina, daughter of the feudal lord of Montebello. The little girl, forced by ancient beliefs to stay at home, was controlled by two guards. Her parents dyed her hair black with plant-based pigments, which, losing their tone, gave the girl blue reflections. Hence the nickname Azzurrina. The little girl, at the age of five, was the protagonist of a sad news story. It is said that on 21 June 1375 Azzurrina was playing at home with a ball of rags. Two guards were tasked with monitoring her while a violent storm was raging outside. The ball fell into the underground icebox and the little girl ran to retrieve it. After a few steps, a scream was heard and there was no trace of Azzurrina and her ball. The little girl disappeared under the eyes of the two scared and incredulous guards. The searches proceeded in the following days but Azzurrina was never found again.
The return of Azzurrina
Amplification systems have been installed in the stairs of the Montebello Castle. The aim is to record the evidence of Azzurrina's presence. Apparently the little girl comes back on time every five years. Every year, on the occasion of the summer solstice which takes place on 21 June, the ghost of the little blue-haired girl returns to be heard. On 21 June 2010, CICAP researchers found the absence of noises attributed to an entity inside the Castle and subsequently made the sound recordings public.
The wind or the ghost?
Today tourists are offered the opportunity to listen to various recordings made in the castle. Some recognize the cry of a child, others a laugh, others believe that the noises are caused by the wind and rain of the storm. Leaving interpretation free, the Montebello Castle can be visited and open to the public. Furthermore, the mighty fortress, once the scene of numerous battles, now offers a breathtaking panorama, marked by a thousand-year history, which leads to the discovery of its hidden treasures, as well as its mysteries.
