Europe has always been known for a long, diverse and bloody history, which gives it the chance to attract people to several haunted locations. So many countries like Ireland, Scotland, and England have built their travel industry using these haunted histories.
So, if you have any plan to visit any of these countries, you may found out that many of these scary castles have been remodeled to build hotels or rent rooms to adventurous tourists. Actually, those who are a great fan of the supernatural world don’t hesitate to spend big bucks to enjoy a creepy night and gather a few haunted experiences. Basically, people love to be spooked and ghosts we all know are a quite brilliant to send a shiver up your spine!
What’s your thought? Do you really believe in ghosts? If you are not easily convinced, there are some scary castles around the world that may force you to alter your beliefs. Castles are a great place to meet spirits, as they are usually very old and are witnesses of many horrific events over the history of time.
Built on the outskirts of Prague, the Houska Castle is known as one of the creepiest and mysterious places across Europe. There has been no evidence of any fortification for this castle, it didn’t even confronted any attacks or not known as a ruler’s helm. However, local legend says it conceals a huge hole which is believed to be the gateway to hell and from this mysterious hole deadly half-human and half-animal creatures used to come out at night. As the story goes, the locals trapped the demons inside by building this castle over the evil hole.
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This famous tourist spot is a remodeled medieval castle from Arundel in West Sussex built in the 11th century. There have been several stories of supernatural existence surrounding the castle but the many stories of the ghost of the first Earl of Arundel prevail the most. Tourists over the years have claimed to feel supernatural powers within this place. Other spirits of the Arundel castle are those of a young lady who jumped from the castle roof and a Blue Man who still haunts the castle library.
Image Source: www.arundelcastle.org
Originally structured as a plantation house connecting Town Creek and Courtland, Alabama, the Rocky Hill Castle has so many ghost stories and terrifying folklore legends. The building was destroyed in the 1960s but before the demolition, it was haunted by the spirit of a Lady in Blue who often used roam around the castle at night with a light. Also, some people have claimed that they saw ghosts of Civil War soldiers the evil spirits of tortured slaves. Local stories even mentioned about some mysterious knocking and banging of unknown origin before the house was demolished.
Image Source: www.alabamapioneers.com
Whoever visits Northern Ireland has heard about the infamous Ballygally Castle Built in 1625. Now remodeled as a heritage hotel, the castle has always made the headlines for a number of ghost stories. The most talked about the incident is the appearance of a former resident, Madam Nixon’s spirit, who is reportedly haunting this castle since her mysterious death in the 18th century. She still roams the passages of the hotel at night dressed in a silk dress. However, a room in a corner turret is believed to be the terrifying place in Ballygally Castle.
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Showing the world one of the greatest examples of Japan’s beautiful castle architecture, the Himeji Castle has made the headlines for some spooky events and yet to be explained occurrences. The castle has a notorious well that allegedly hosts the ghost of Okiku, believed to be a mythical character mentioned in ancient Japanese folklore. Many have seen the ghost to rise from the well at midnight and for some unknown reason count to nine before shrieking and returning back to the well.
Image Source: www.japan-guide.com
The castle was built in the 13th century to guard Norway´s capital Oslo and it is known as the scariest spot to visit in the country. During the time of WWII, the castle was used as a prison with some terrifying torture history and the Nazis allegedly executed so many prisoners here. Enriched with such a horrific history, it’s no surprise that the castle has so many haunted stories, even including the spirit of a dog who once guarded the castle gate.
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A Gothic-style castle representing Irish culture, the Charleville Castle also holds a key place on this list. Rumoured to be haunted by the third Earl of Charleville’s daughter Harriet’s restless spirit, the castle has been an active participant in so many paranormal reality TV series. Several reports claim Harriet’s spirit is trapped inside the place since 1861 when she died after accidentally falling from the staircase at the age of just eight. Locals claim the little girl’s crying spirit roams around the castle searching for her parents.
Image Source: www.irishtimes.com
Situated in Cleveland, Ohio, the Franklin Castle comes with a gloomy reputation, finding its place among the most haunted buildings in the US. The castle has so many hidden passages and rooms, including a mysterious trap door leading to a never-ending tunnel and disturbing a room where once dozens of human baby skeletons were discovered. With a few tragic stories, the castle is alleged to be haunted by ghosts of children who were sacrificed in dark magic rituals.
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Best known as “Die Spookhuis” or “The Haunted House”, this large mansion has been attracting supernatural investigators with frequent ghost sightings and mysterious encounters. Currently, the Erasmus Castle has been opened for tourists and cultural functions, and that’s why so many people have experienced plenty of paranormal activities at the castle, like lights in abandoned rooms in the uninhabited portions of the building, unexplainable human sounds, whispers and so many things.
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Chillingham Castle is regarded as one of England’s most haunted castles. The ghost of a small boy called the “Radiant Boy” or “Blue Boy” and his cries from a nearby passage can send a shiver up your spine at midnight. His bones were reportedly found buried inside a bedroom wall while the castle was being remodeled. There is also the spirit of Lady Mary Berkeley who was the wife of Lord Grey of Wark. As the story goes, her husband once left her and eloped with her sister, leaving Lady Mary all alone with her baby daughter. Lady Mary’s spirit still now wanders through the halls of the castle looking to avenge her husband.
Image Source: www.unhingedhistorian.com