No one knows why this section of Perugia became known as the Devil's House. There are several versions of the story of how this haunting name came about. Some involve deep historical research, others are intertwined with legends and crime stories.

Many believe it derives from the gangs of highwaymen and other bandits who sought refuge across this region. According to other stories, it came from the destruction brought on by the passage of Carthaginian troops led by Hannibal. Other stories discuss the discovery of medieval urns filled with the bones of children as the driving force behind the name.