Easter Monday in Italy: “Ghost Egg Hunt” in Celleno, Hundreds Expected

by Expat Living in Rome

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A unique initiative comes from Celleno, Italy (province of Viterbo), a small village about 90 minutes from Rome: the “Ghost Egg Hunt”, which will take place on Easter Monday (April 6, 2026) in the area’s well-known “ghost town” in the Tuscia region of central Italy.

 

Between 200 and 400 visitors are expected in Celleno, Italy, taking part in the search for one or more “ghost eggs” hidden throughout the historic center and around the Orsini Castle. The activity will take place from the morning throughout the entire day, around the ghost village and in the surroundings of the castle.

 

The initiative has been officially announced by the Mayor of Celleno, Italy, Luca Beraldo, marking the first edition of the event.

 

The activity is designed as a playful and exploratory experience for children, families, and visitors, who will be invited to find symbolic “ghost eggs” hidden across the ancient village. Participation is free and part of the Easter holiday celebrations in Italy.

 

“We invite everyone, both young and old, to take part in this day,” said Mayor Luca Beraldo. “It will be an opportunity to experience the village in a different way, driven by curiosity and discovery. A moment of community, fun, slow tourism, and religious celebration, where families and visitors can share a special day together.”

 

The ancient village of Celleno, Italy, gradually abandoned after World War II due to earthquakes and geological instability, is now partially open to visitors and has become one of the most visited destinations in the Tuscia area during holidays and weekends in Italy.

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FOR JOURNALISTS – BACKGROUND ON PARANORMAL REPORTS AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Located in the province of Viterbo, about one hour from Rome in central Italy, the village of Celleno – now also known as the “Ghost Village” – was gradually abandoned after World War II due to earthquakes and geological instability.

 

Over time, restoration efforts have made part of the site accessible to visitors. Today, it can be explored as an open-air historical site, featuring a “scattered museum” with traces and remains from Etruscan and medieval periods.

 

The village was also highlighted by The Telegraph as one of Italy’s “most beautiful places lost in time.”

 

Over the years, Celleno has also become associated with stories about the so-called “ghost of the village,” often linked to historical events involving the powerful Gatti Family. Giovanni Gatti, the last prominent member of this noble family, was killed in Celleno on May 27, 1496, in the main square near the castle—an episode that has contributed over time to the legends and mysterious narratives surrounding the village.

 

Alongside these stories, investigations conducted by the Centro Italiano Studi Paranormali (Italian Center for Paranormal Studies) have documented unusual phenomena detected through technical instruments, although no definitive conclusions have been reached.

 

For approximately forty years, the Orsini Castle was inhabited exclusively by the internationally renowned artist Enrico Castellani, who lived and worked there until his death. Here he created many of his works, now exhibited in major museums worldwide, with some reaching values of several million euros.

 

 

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