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The faceless nuns of the Monastery of Peat — Torba
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The faceless nuns of the Monastery of Peat

It is said that the missing faces of three of the eight nuns, depicted in a fresco located on the second floor of the tower, were never drawn because of an escape from the monastery by the three women. These nuns, now become spirits, still wander the valleys of Torba, trying to r...

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The faceless nuns of the Monastery of Peat — Torba, Italy.

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Torba
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About The faceless nuns of the Monastery of Peat

The faceless nuns of the Monastery of Peat - Torba | Secret World Trip Planner

It is said that the missing faces of three of the eight nuns, depicted in a fresco located on the second floor of the tower, were never drawn because of an escape from the monastery by the three women. These nuns, now become spirits, still wander the valleys of Torba, trying to re-enter the fresco to find peace. Only when they succeed will we finally get to know the physiognomy of those three faces.

The faceless nuns of the Monastery of Peat - Torba | Secret World Trip Planner

Another legend tells of a storm that hit the monastery in c. 1340, uprooting a large tree, from whose roots emerged the marble tomb of the Lombard king Galdano da Torba. On the ancient ruler's head shone a golden crown adorned with three precious gems, in his left hand he clutched the golden orb, and at his side lay the sword with which Tristan, prince of Leannois, killed Moroldo of Ireland.

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Frequently Asked Questions

According to legend, three of the eight nuns depicted in the second floor tower fresco escaped the monastery, and their faces were never completed by the artist. Local folklore claims these three nuns became spirits that still wander the Torba valleys, seeking to re-enter the fresco to find peace and have their faces revealed.
Around 1340, a violent storm uprooted a large tree at the monastery, and beneath its roots emerged a marble tomb containing Lombard king Galdano da Torba. The tomb contained treasures including a golden crown with three precious gems, a golden orb, and a legendary sword believed to have been used by Prince Tristan of Leannois to kill Moroldo of Ireland.
The mysterious fresco depicting the eight nuns with three missing faces is located on the second floor of the monastery's tower. This is the primary point of interest for visitors wanting to see the spiritual legend come to life firsthand.
The main historical artifact is the marble tomb of Lombard king Galdano da Torba, which was discovered beneath an uprooted tree during a 14th-century storm. The tomb once contained royal regalia including a golden crown with precious gems and the legendary sword connected to the Arthurian legend of Tristan and Moroldo.
According to local legend, yes—three nuns who escaped the monastery are said to have become spirits that still wander the Torba valleys at night. These restless spirits are believed to search endlessly for a way to re-enter their fresco portrait and complete their earthly peace.

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