The Crypt of Saint Zama / La Cripta di San Zama for #spookysaturday

Underneath the Abbey of SS Naborre and Felice is where you can find St. Zama's Crypt. It has been a lot of things over the years (for example at one stage it was a Military Hospital and a Lazaret) During the 3rd century, in this site, there already existed the first and most important Christian center. It is said that the first archibishop of Bologna, Saint Zama, around the year 270, had improved the preexisting church, dedicating it to St. Peter. It also used to house the bodies of the first bishops - but they are no longer there!

#photography #amateurphotography #church #crypt #underground #bones #altar #bishops #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #bologna #italia #italy #statue #history #spookyvibes #europe

Saint Valentine for #spookysaturday

In Bologna there is a church called "La Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria e San Valentino della Grada" and inside it contains a relic of Saint Valentine - specifically his skull. That's not the spooky part. The real spooky part is according to the "Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin" in Rome - they have his skull. Wait, San Anton's Church in Madrid, Spain also claim that they have his skull and bones...
Spooky Scary Skeletons.


#photography #amateurphotography #church #basilica #skull #bones #reliquary #relic #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #baroque #bologna #italia #statue #history #italy #spookyvibes #europe

#spookysaturday I don't know what it is about ferns, but they look quite spooky in some photos. The fern on the right, in particular, looks like a real boogeyman. But they are beautiful, of course. I wouldn't want to miss them in my garden. #spookyvibes #spooky #garden #gardensofpixelfed #fern #ferns #macro #macrophotography #photography #nature #plantsofthefediverse

Morning of the Living Dead for #spookysaturday

This evening I have for you a translated passage (I did my best! ) from Alessandro Cervellati's - Certosa Bianco e Verde (1967). This book is filled with anecdotes and stories about UNESCO world heritage site - "La Certosa", Bologna's Monumental Cemetery. Here is one of them:

"Popular tradition has no anecdotes concerning ghosts in our Certosa. But incredible things have happened all the same: On 7 August 1925, some women who had gone to the Certosa spotted a black stain in a recess in the underground area to the west around 10.15 a.m. : It was a dead man who, by mysterious chance, had not been yet buried. The Sir. Bernardi, the Certosa custodian, the priest Augusto Bastelli and two municipal guards rushed in. As the priest was about to give him absolution, they realised that the dead man was breathing, and indeed, with a yawn, he was coming back to life: in fact, he was a certain Antonio B., a resident of Via Sant'Apollonia, who declared: in order to enjoy the cool air, after a few stately drinks, he had found nothing better than to be locked up in the cemetery and find himself an ideal bed in a tomb in the Certosa".

(The statue was sculpted by Bolognese Carlo Monari and is of Enea Cocchi. He died at the age of 18 in 1867.)
#photography #amateurphotography #cemetery #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #funny #story #literature #alessandrocervellati #bologna #italia #statue #italy #spookyvibes #europe #cimitero #statua #unesco

Petrified for #spookysaturday episode 14

Walking through the quiet museum, you see a new exhibit. A kneeling statue of a woman, hands clasped in prayer, face carved with unbearable grief.
There is no plaque on it.
You overheard the guards earlier talking about hearing whispers and soft weeping echoing through the halls this past week… It is a museum though – there's always a ghost story knocking about.
But it is strange. There was no mention of getting a new exhibit and it seemingly appeared overnight.
After inspecting the new statue, you turn to leave. You hear a faint giggle in the air.
"Is someone here?"
Nothing. Another giggle – louder this time.
"Who are you?"
The statue’s eyes open.
"Who you are about to be." - she whispers.
The statue’s hands unclasp.


#photography #amateurphotography #cemetery #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #horror #bologna #italia #statue #fiction #story #creepypasta #scarystory #italy #spookyvibes #europe

The Moonlight Passenger for #spookysaturday episode 13


You've been driving for a while now with only the moon as your guide. The GPS decided to stop working a while back. You usually wouldn't be out this late, but a friend needs you. She sounded a bit upset on the phone, so you agreed to meet her and help replace her tyre. Luckily you have a spare. What’s she doing all the way out here anyway? This was supposed to be movie night.
You start to come into a town. Finally, some civilization. You scan the streets for signs of life – nothing. The place is deserted. Your phone rings. You pick up – it's your friend.
"Where are you? I thought you were coming over this evening?"
"I'm on my way. Do you have your hazards on?"
"What are you talking about? Why would I need hazards in my living room?"
On the corner, a woman appears beneath a flickering streetlamp. She's waving.
The line crackles and cuts out.
You look down at the phone, then back at the corner – she's gone.
The headlights dim. Something creaks in the back seat.
You daren’t look.
You whisper, “It was you who called, wasn't it?”
Behind you, something breathes.

#photography #amateurphotography #street #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #horror #streetphotography #bologna #italia #road #car #night #moon #fiction #story #creepypasta #scarystory #blackandwhite #bnw #monochrome #blackandwhitephotography #italy #spookyvibes #europe #travel

No Tricks All Treats for #spookysaturday episode 12 and #fotovorschlag "Hygge"

Here's a Gluten Free Mummy Brownie Recipe because the true horror story today is living in Italy and not being able to eat gluten. (Me) You can glutenify it if your body doesn't wish you harm!

200g dark chocolate 60ish%
140g sugar
3 medium eggs
100g butter
90g gluten free potato starch
30g dark cacao powder
1 pinch of salt
Candy eyes
60g white chocolate for melting

Cut chocolate into squares, melt over bain-marie. Add cubed butter. Mic and melt together. Leave to cool.
Whips the eggs and sugar together in a bowl with an electric whisk until light and fully (5-10minutes).
Add the chocolate and butter into the eggs and sugar. (Use a spatula to get it all out!). Add the sifted cacao powder and potato starch. Mix gently until combined.
Pour mixture into a 18x25 cm lined tin and shove it in the oven for about 25 minutes at 180°c. (Timing might vary depending on oven!)
Take out and leave to cool.
Melt some chocolate in the microwave or bain-marie.
Cut the cooled brownies. Put on the candy eyes and drizzle the melted chocolate over them.
Voilà! Tasty treats to enjoy with the living or the dead!

#photography #amateurphotography #ghost #cooking #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #glutenfree #moody #horror #baking #treats #tasty #brownies #hygge #bologna #italia #home #italy #spookyvibes #europe

La Certosa for #spookysaturday episode 11

No story this week, sorry! But this is the Cimitero Monumentale La Certosa. It's a very lovely place and if you're ever in Bologna I highly recommend visiting it - it doesn't look this spooky, it's just for the picture! In the background you can see Il Santuario della Beata Vergine di San Luca on the hill.


#photography #amateurphotography #cemetery #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #horror #graves #bologna #italia #corridor #blackandwhite #bnw #monochrome #blackandwhitephotography #italy #spookyvibes #europe #travel

Echoes from the Deep / Echi dal Profondo for #spookysaturday episode 10

"How many times do I have to do this?", you wonder. This is a futile mission. There's nobody but us. You've spent years studying, training, waiting to get out there into space. To explore new frontiers, see distant lands, discover if we are really alone, and instead you've ended up in this cramped room pinging out messages every day.
The message is always the same: "This is Terra. Is anyone out there?" And the answer is always the same - silence.
You type it out again. What is this now – the 6th or 7th year? Oh, it doesn't matter. Send.
The screen turns blank. Quelle surprise. Lather, rinse, repeat. Time to go to lunch. You start putting on your jacket when you hear the ping. The computer lights up.
"ENOUGH" fills the screen.
You try to triangulate the message – one of your coworkers has obviously decided to be a smartass today. A welcome break from the monotony. but unfortunately for them, all activity must be reported.
The signal isn't coming from in here or out there. It's coming from underground. Deep underground. Way way too deep underground.

(That's another reason to say no to fracking kids!!
This photo is one of my first astrophotography photos - so be gentle with it please. )

#photography #amateurphotography #space #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #horror #fiction #story #astrophotography #nightsky #stars #aliens #alone #scarystories #spookyvibes #nightmare #bologna #italia #italy #europe

The Birds / Gli Uccelli for #spookysaturday episode 9

Good evening spooky saturday-ers! I haven't got a story today because I've been busy looking at gardens and petting cats! (Lots of pictures to come!)
So, instead, here's a photo I sent to my friends showing them why I wasn't going out that nignt - because there is nothing scarier than having to get out of your pyjamas when you're all snuggled up for the evening. (I mean, obviously there is because look at the state of the world!! Let's just pretend!)
What're your favourite horror movies?

#photography #amateurphotography #thebirds #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #horror #alfredhitchcock #bologna #italia #corridor #night #film #relax #home #italy #spookyvibes #scary #night #candles #movies #horrormovies #europe #skull #gothic

The Graveyard Shift / Il Turno di Notte for #spookysaturday episode 8

Night guard at a rural cemetery wasn't exactly the job you were looking for, but these past six months have actually been great. Nice and quiet, nobody to bother you, decent pay!
Tonight's the same routine as ever: check all the gates are locked, quick sweep along the outer walls, note any signs of damage, walk your regular routes and watch out for anybody who shouldn't be there. Same old same old, but you don't mind, you like the familiarity.
Oh, someone’s left the lights on in the crypts again. Better turn them off. As you get closer, you hear sounds - muffled voices and footsteps. Great. They’d warned you about teenagers sneaking in for a dare. Heading down the stairs, you call out "Okay, fun's over. Time to go home".
No answer. You walk down one of the corridors. You can hear footsteps and voices ahead of you, so you speed up and turn the corner quickly. Nothing. Damn, these guys are fast.
"You're not in trouble. You just can't be in here now".
More mumbling and shuffling. You turn corner after corner for – what? – 20 minutes? Has the crypt always been this big? You decide if you leave the door open, they'll eventually go home. You try to retrace your steps, peering down corridors – you don't remember it looking like this before. Did you take a right or a left here? Don’t remember this dead end…
You realize that the voices and footsteps have stopped. There’s now complete silence. Then the lights go out. Pitch black. You start feeling your way along the walls.
The voices are back, but they’re no longer muffled.
"It's our turn to chase you."
And the footsteps are clearer too. And faster. Much faster.

#photography #amateurphotography #creepypasta #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #horror #crypt #bologna #italia #corridor #night #walk #nightshift #voices #cemetery #lost #liminalspace #backroom #italy #spookyvibes #scary #night #alone #nightmare #europe #story #scarystories #fiction

Camera Obscura

This just happened and I am pretty excited because this is the first time I've ever seen it naturally!!! Whatever way the skylight window was open it created a pinhole camera and the room just happened to be dark enough that it created a Camera Obscura! The video I took was horrific quality, so here are 24 photos that I *tried* to crop and edit equally to render the idea - bad quality but not as bad as the video.
It may not look impressive now, but it was cool at the time - I promise!

#photography #amateurphotography #cameraobscura #pinholecamera #pinhole #reflection #window #spooky #dark #moody #sun #sky #clouds #video #nature #coincidence #fun #luck #spookyvibes #italy #bologna #europe

Camp of No Hope / Il Campo di Nessun Speranza for #spookysaturday episode 7

You finally get to sit down with your friends after setting up the campsite. You haven't been camping in a while, but it's your friend's birthday so you are happy to be there, even if the weather isn't the best.
With the tents up and the fire crackling, you all gather around it and start talking and having fun. Couple of hours and some drinks and snacks go by, then the campfire stories start. A deranged serial killer that picks off groups one by one. A faceless demon that takes and tortures lost souls. A deranged hermit responsible for all the missing people around this area. A ghost looking for a new body to inhabit. The usual stuff.
After a while, you get into your tent and fall asleep. At some point you wake up, it's dark and you're cold. You remember you have an extra jumper in your car and it's not too far away.
You get your torch and start walking ti it. A few minutes go by. Huh, you don't remember this tree being here… Was the path always so long? Time goes by and you start to panic. You can't find your way to the car. You can't find your way back to the campsite.
In the distance, down a path, you see a light. Finally! One of your friend's is here! They're going to get a good laugh out of this.
"It's about time! I feel like I've been circling this place for hours."
No response.
"Okay, very funny. Now stop – how do we get back?"
No response again. Oh, what if this is one of the locals? You walk closer.
"Hello, sorry, I'm a little bit lost."
You can finally make out a figure holding a lantern. It's coming closer.
Oh God. The campfire story was true.

#photography #amateurphotography #spookysaturday #creepypasta #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #horror #trees #path #forest #walk #camping #campfire #light #lantern #italy #italia #cold #alberi #sentiero #spookyvibes #scary #night #alone #nightmare #europe #story #scarystories #fiction

...So, come up to the lab and see what's on the slab... for #spookysaturday episode 6

This is the Teatro Anatomico in the Archiginnasio! Unfortunately this week I have not written a story for you, sorry! My last two brain cells have gone on strike. However, I do have some creepy/weird anatomy facts to share - because nothing is scarier than being a human.

1). Your stomach has to regrow its inner lining every 3/4 days because the hydrochloric acid digests it. Hmm.. yummy snacks.
2). Your brain is actually soft and squishy like warm butter. No wonder they say it's malleable.
3). People are actually snakes. A person sheds on average 3.4 kilos of skin a year.
4). Defibrillating a heart is just turning it off and hoping it turns on again correctly - then it reloads to your last save file.
5). All of your cells regenerate. On average all of your cells will have regenerated at least once every seven years. The ship of Meseus and Youseus. Useus? Weseus?
6). You can smell your lungs all the time - your brain just filters it out. I hope they smell okay, I haven't washed mine in a while.
7). Intestines after abdominal surgery are treated just like the clean washing in your room. They're not placed back exactly where they need to be, only in the general area. They'll get to where they need to be eventually though.
8). After a head is cut off, it can remain conscious for several seconds. Longer if there is something interesting on TV.
9). Your immune system is like a cranky toddler, it can decide at any time it doesn't like something and want to fight it. Even something inside of you. RIP Thyroid.
10). When you get a kidney transplant they usually don't take out the 'bad' kidney(s). It just gets a new roommate.

All your bones are wet.

#photography #amateurphotography #spookysaturday #creepy #spooky #eerie #dark #moody #horror #facts #anatomy #medicine #theatre #scary #fun #story #spookyvibes #humanbody #teatro #anatomico #bologna #citta #architecture

Sweet Dreams / Sogni D'Oro for #spookysaturday episode 5

"Oneiric Hypnotherapy: Trouble sleeping? Resolved in just one session or your money back!".
The advert seemed a little too good to be true, but you were desperate.
The office is nice and welcoming, and the therapist seems professional. He's explained that he's been doing this for over 20 years and has helped numerous clients.
"So you can fix me in one session?"
"Yes. I have a perfect record. Nobody’s ever come back for a refund."
You settle down and begin the session. He tells you to imagine a comforting place for you – a beach, a pasture, your childhood home.
You find yourself in a moonlit field. An ominous hooded figure stands near a barren tree. "When the sun goes down..." it hisses at you.
You don't remember anything else, nor the hypnotherapist bringing you out of the trance.
"Alright, that's it, then. You're cured!"
"Really? That's it?"
"Oh, I've seen this many times before. The tree, the cloaked figure. All quite normal hallucinations."
"Wait, so others have seen this too?"
"Oh yes, but don't worry. Nobody has ever come back!"
"Have you seen them afterwards? Your clients?"
"Huh, now that you mention it, I don't think I have".

(The real horror story here was trying to put this photo together. This is the most effort you're ever getting out of me. )

#photography #amateurphotography #spookysaturday #creepypasta #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #horror #dream #tree #moon #field #figure #scary #fiction #story #blackandwhite #monochrome #alberi #luna #spookyvibes #nightmare #scarystory #prato #monster

Don't Look Now / Non Guardare Ora for #spookysaturday episode 4

It is completely normal. It happens to everyone, all over the world. It's a well documented phenomenon. You know this, but it's happening more often now and it's getting a lot closer. The shadows out of the corner of your eye. They're usually just a haze, maybe a rough outline but they've become more defined, more obvious. They have, well it has, become more real. You've tried using mirrors, keeping the lights on, turning your head quickly - nothing has worked. You can't prove it. Friends and family tell you it's normal, because it is, 99.9% of the time.
This, this is different though. You even feel it now, don't you? You know it's there. It's always there. It's right behind you, just off to the side. The hairs on the back of your neck are standing up because it's watching you. No, it's staring at you. The monster, this shadow from the corner of your eye. Don't turn around. You're safe if you don't show it you know it's there. At least safe for now...

(This is just a story and seeing shadows is pretty normal but if you do think that you are seeing them quite frequently or it is beginning to bother you, please see a doctor/medical professional! )
This is also not a generated picture! It's my left eye! I just went heavy with the editing!

#photography #amateurphotography
#spookysaturday #creepypasta #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #horror #eye #shadow #friends #family #story #light #shortstory #spookyvibes #scary #night #alone #nightmare #europe #scarystories #fiction #graphic

The Long Weekend / Il Fine Settimana Lungo #spookysaturday episode 3

You don't remember entering the raffle but the kind old woman, Gwendolyn, on the phone assured you you had. How else would she have your details? You had been hesitant at first but she explained everything to you - the history of the island and its castle - all off-grid except for one ancient landline in the kitchen. How it was used by her family as private hunting grounds, the transportation there by ferry and bringing supplies for the weekend, - by the end it was like talking to an old friend and you just couldn't say no.
The crossing there was interesting. Was it seasickness or was the uneasy feeling coming from the ferryman? He wouldn't look you in the eye and spent all his time muttering under his breath, ignoring you. Was he praying? "Bring another one"? Huh?
At least the castle was comfortable. Exploring the island, finally having some peace and quiet after all these hard months was much needed.
Sunday evening, the landline rings.
"I'm sorry dear but the ferry isn't coming for a while"
You inquire if that means a few hours or tomorrow.
"... I'm sorry dear but the ferry isn't coming."
You are confused.
"We still use it as hunting grounds, you know."
The line goes dead.

#photography #amateurphotography
#spookysaturday #creepypasta #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #horror #cliffs #island #ferry #sea #water #light #italy #italia #ireland #castle #explore #travel #spookyvibes #scary #night #alone #nightmare #europe #story #scarystories #fiction #evening

Off You Go / Via, Si Parte
#spookysaturday

3:00 am. Nobody is around to pick you up and drop you home. There is only one very dimly lit path that can take you there. The mist makes the icy air damp and makes it harder to see what is ahead of you. Is that a person on the path? No, it must be like a sign or something, right? What if it is a person? You need to get home - but will you be going there alone? Will you be going there at all?

#photography #amateurphotography #spookysaturday #creepypasta #spooky #creepy #eerie #dark #moody #horror #trees #path #light #italy #italia #pianurapadana #ferrara #cold #alberi #sentiero #spookyvibes #scary #night #alone #nightmare #europe #story #scarystories