# The Skull Lottery of Naples: How the Dead Helped Pick Winning Numbers

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast-6015497/the-skull-lottery-of-naples-how-the-dead-helped-pick-winning-numbers
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast-6015497/the-skull-lottery-of-naples-how-the-dead-helped-pick-winning-numbers.md
Podcast: [The Strange History Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast-6015497)
Published: 2026-07-30T04:05:02+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-skull-lottery-of-naples-how-the-dead-helped-pick-winning-numbers--71423228
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/op3.dev/e/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/71423228/elevenlabs_untitled_project_32.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-strange-history-podcast-6015497/episodes/the-skull-lottery-of-naples-how-the-dead-helped-pick-winning-numbers
Duration seconds: 653

## Resource

The Skull Lottery of Naples explores one of the strangest traditions in Naples and all of Italy. In this mega episode of The Strange History Podcast, we uncover how locals visited the eerie Fontanelle Cemetery, adopted anonymous skulls, prayed to forgotten souls known as anime pezzentelle, and believed the dead could send lottery numbers through dreams. We also explore the famous La Smorfia, the centuries-old system that converts dream symbols into numbers from 1 to 90, plus true stories of lucky skulls, neighborhood interpreters, family notebooks, Church opposition, and why hope and superstition became survival tools in Naples. This is where dreams became money, skulls became advisors, and sleep became strategy. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged moments? Submit your ideas for The Strange History Podcast Follow The Strange History Podcast wherever you listen and never miss an episode. 🔗 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify iHeartRadio Audible New episodes regularly. History gets weird here.

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## Transcript

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