Cursed memento? Woman blames Pompeii stones for her illness
The unassuming stones were meant to be memorabilia from her trip to Italy. Not wanting to spend money on traditional souvenirs, she picked up a few fragments lying around during her tour of Pompeii. This site has been notorious for a long time, with several visitors reporting mishaps and misfortune upon return. Although many dismiss these claims as pure superstition, this young woman suspects the stones she brought home cause her sickness. Consequently, she has decided to send them back to their origin.
3:23 PM EST, January 21, 2024
Tourist Rues Her Action
The young woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, decided to share her unnerving experience. In her view, the three ancient stones brought her great misfortune. She shared a brief letter confessing that she was diagnosed with breast cancer despite being in sound health prior to the trip. Oblivious to the alleged curse, she wishes to return the stones to Pompeii and expresses remorse and an apology for her thoughtlessness.
Her story has drawn worldwide attention. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of Pompeii's archaeological park, shared a photo of the returned stones and the letter on Platform X. "Dear anonymous sender, the stones have arrived back at Pompeii. We wish you good fortune in the future" was his comforting response to the author.
This Isn't the First Allegation of a Curse
This young traveler isn't the first to claim an experience of the 'curse' of this renowned site. Numerous stories abound in the media where visitors to Pompeii took a "souvenir," only to face undesirable consequences after that. A similar predicament befell Nicole, who sent back two stones and a mosaic fragment to Pompeii, 15 years after her visit. Nicole, who had suffered from breast cancer twice and encountered financial difficulties, hoped that by returning the stolen artifacts, she could restore her previous happy life.
According to the park staff, they receive such packages quite frequently. Visitors often return stolen items in the hope of alleviating their misfortunes. It serves as a sobering reminder that historical sites should be respected, given their connection to past events and energies. Sites like altars, battlefields, or temples should be approached with special caution, and no one should take "souvenirs" from these places. Even if superstitions don't resonate with you, show respect for the place.
