From the East to the West, there are so many castles that hide mysterious, ghostly horror stories. If you are keen on uncovering a mystery, then definitely check out the 10 most haunted castle spots around the world.
[rpi]CASTLE LEAP – THE FAMOUS HAUNTED CASTLE IN IRELAND
Built in the late 15th century by the O’Carroll Clan, Leap Castle is the most haunted castle in Ireland. Legend has it that a brother plunged a sword into a priest while he was holding mass in the castle’s chapel in a struggle for power within the O’Carroll Clan. Since then, it has been called ‘The Bloody Chapel’ and the priest is said to haunt the church at night. During renovation work in the early 1900s, workmen found a secret dungeon in the Bloody Chapel with many human remains.
CHILLINGHAM – A SPOOKY CASTLE IN THE UK
When it comes to the haunted castle of Chillingham, many think of horror stories of barbaric and bloody torture. There are many well-known ghosts at Chillingham, including the whimpering ‘blue boy’, the frail ‘white lady’ and the lonesome Lady Mary Berkeley. Sign up for a castle-run ghost tour or if you dare, you can spend the night in the castle.
THE ANCIENT CASTLE OF BURG ELTZ, GERMANY
Dating back to 1157, the haunted castle of Burg Eltz, Germany stands out with its majestic magnificence and creepy stories that have been passed down through generations. Taking a castle tour, you can visit a few rooms, particularly, the bedroom of Countess Agnes who died to defend the castle. Burg Eltz is the most haunted castle between the towns of Koblenz and Trier.
HOUSKA, THE SCARIEST HAUNTED CASTLE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Located a one-hour drive from the capital of Prague, Houska Castle was built in the 13th century by Ottokar II. What makes Houska Castle scary is the big bottomless hole inside the castle believed to be the ‘Gateway to Hell’. The story gets even creepier as you make your way around the castle, you will hear spine-chilling noises and feel the presence of scary ghosts.
VOERGAARD CASTLE, DENMARK
In the northeastern Danish Town of Dronninglund, Voergaard Castle displays a vast array of works by Raphael, Goya and El Greco to the public. However, it is better known for a more sinister reason as the person who acquired the castle in 1578, drowned its architect in the moat so that he could never design another building as beautiful as Voergaard. Today, people living around there claim to see a ghost in white wandering through the castle at night.
THE HAUNTED CASTLE OF PREDJAMA, SLOVENIA
Built within a cave in the middle of a towering cliff, Predjama Castle boasts the most majestic and unique beauty in Slovenia. Dating back around 1000 years, there are rumours circulating in Predjama, the hometown of the owner – Knight Lueger or Baron Erazem Lueger. It is said that there is a ghost often wandering through the castle at night.
HIMEJI CASTLE, JAPAN
Formed as part of a mountainous castle complex in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, Himeji Castle has people falling head over heels with its architecture imbued with traditional Japanese culture. The most famous tale from the Himeji haunted castle tells the story of Okiku who was falsely accused of losing valuable treasures. After being tortured and maltreated until her eventual death, her ghost now haunts the castle at night.
EDINBURGH – THE MOST HAUNTED CASTLE IN EUROPE
Aside from its impressive design, Edinburgh Castle intrigues people with its creepy, ghostly stories. After many bloody wars, the haunted castle in Scotland exudes gloom and coldness with so-called ghosts of soldiers and even dogs wandering around the castle. If you are still feeling brave enough to consider taking a ghost tour, this scary castle should be added to your bucket list.
THE HAUNTED CASTLE OF LARNACH, NEW ZEALAND
Larnach Castle was built between 1871 and 1887 to serve as the residence of William Larnach, a prominent local politician in New Zealand. The story of the haunted castle began when he built a large ballroom as a 21st birthday present for his daughter who unfortunately passed away at the age of 26. The strange sound of flowing water and eerie whispers make the castle creepy for many visitors.
CASTLE OF GOOD HOPE, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
One of the oldest and largest castles in South Africa is Cape Town’s Castle of Good Hope. As a haunted castle, the Castle of Good Hope is home to a windowless dungeon, the echoing sounds of brutal torture and ghosts. Other spooky sightings have involved a large black dog that leaps at visitors before disappearing, a bell that rings by itself and lights that switch on and off unintelligibly.
Wanderlust Tips
[…] from the Waldviertel region of Austria which is the northwest of Lower Austria and borders the Czech Republic, the little pastry called Mohnzelten is made up of a poppy seed paste that is enveloped in […]
[…] of Grand Parade, the Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair, Family Film Nights, costume balls, ghost tours, haunted houses, live music, and chilling theatrical presentations. Salem’s connection to Halloween begins with […]