Fairytale stories carved in books about castles sparked joy in every heart, A story that always had a dark side. Villains, fairies, evil spirits are supporting characters to these magical stories; however, the castles too have their myths and mythologies. In this series, we come across dungeons and pits filled with skeletons, ghosts wandering around the hallways and the gruesome tale of the dead. Ever wondered about the cold chills that we experience while we walk through the hallway of the old castles, a ghost wandering around to meet us.
Here is a list that lets you experience the stories of the castles and their dark truths buried over centuries. Walk the walk and talk the talk at your own risk!
1. Burg Eltz, Germany | Castles Around The World
Despite its age, Burg Eltz has been the subject of many myths since it opened in 1157. Countess Agnes’ bedroom is allegedly one of the most haunted rooms in the castle, even though it isn’t open to tourists. Legend says that she died defending the castle from an “undesirable” suitor hence her bedding, breastplate, and battle-axe remain in the room, and she is still haunting the German castle located between the cities of Koblenz and Trier today.
2. Leap Castle, Ireland
A few horrifying deaths had taken place in this Irish castle that dates back to the late 13th-late 15th century. An O’Carroll legend says that during a struggle for power within the clan which had a penchant for poisoning dinner guests where one brother stabbed another, a priest, during Mass in the chapel. The priest haunts the church at night and lives in the room he calls “The Bloody Chapel. And not only that, the horror continues.
The Bloody Chapel was discovered to hold so many human skeletons during renovations in the early 1900s that three cartloads hauled away when the dungeon was cleared. Prisoners are forced to fall through a trapdoor into the dungeon, have their lungs punctured by spikes on the ground, and eventually die within the earshot of clan members above them.
3. Houska Castle, Czech Republic | Castles Around The World
Houska Castle is a spectacular castle perched on a clifftop in the Czech Republic. In the Czech countryside, a rocky cliff leading to the castle was built in the early Gothic style. The castle, north of Prague, is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It appears that the castle is quite ordinary at first glance, but upon closer examination, a few strange features become apparent. It is easy to see that the windows are simply external facades: glass panels hiding solid walls behind them.
The castle lacks fortifications, water supply, kitchen, and, for many years after its construction there have been no occupants. Houska Castle was not built as a defensive or residential fortress. It’s believed to keep evil in.
4. Chillingham Castle, England
The aptly named Chillingham Castle is Britain’s most haunted castle because it has a history of dungeons filled with prisoner bodies and torture chambers. Some of its residents are spooky, such as the gulping “blue boy,” the frail “white lady,” and the perpetually lonely Lady Mary Berkeley. Consider taking a ghost tour at the castle or renting an apartment to spend the night if you dare.
5. Predjama Castle, Slovenia | Castles Around The World
Predjama is an imposing structure located in the middle of a cave in a towering cliff, dating back to 1274. Predjama’s hidden passageways and the legend that it was a place of torture and treachery. The castle is said to be haunted by Lueger. He has been betrayed by his servants and killed there.
6. Larnach Castle, New Zealand
The residence of prominent local politician William Larnach in New Zealand, Larnach was constructed between 1871 and 1887. In particular, there is a ballroom that Larnach built as a 21st birthday gift for his favorite daughter Kate. She died from typhoid at age 26 rumored to haunt the room.
The building has been visited by paranormal investigators and featured on the show Ghost Hunters International, so don’t chalk it all up to your imagination.
7. Bran Castle, Romania
Castle of Dracula. Bran Castle is vaguely associated with the real man that inspired writer Bram Stoker—Vlad III Dracula, or Vlad the Impaler—and yes, you have correctly concluded that he impaled his victims instead of drinking blood. Some think Bran Castle was one of the locations of horror in Transylvania governed by Vlad III. (Most historians would nevertheless ask for evidence.) Other frightening sights in its walls now comprise a golden square that contains the heart of the Queen Marie of Romania.
8. Bhangarh Fort, India | Castles Around The World
An abandoned 17th-century fort city sits deep in the state of Rajasthan, at the foot of the Aravalli Mountain range. One part of local life claims that a sadhu who resided on top of the closest hill allowed the fort to be erected, provided it did not shade his residence. The hottest spot in India is legally banned from entering the famous tourist attraction after sunset.
Nearby villagers are murmuring of ghostly activities, but the real aim is to protect people from the residents of the neighboring reserve of tigers, according to sceptics. The believers and non-believers resonate with Bhangarh Fort’s dreary atmosphere and bad vibes.
9. Château de Brissac, France
One of France’s most haunted chateaux, this family-owned property in the Loire Valley is France’s highest point. In Brissac, there is famed “la Dame Verte,” or the Green Lady, a legend that occurs to be based on the slaying of a woman by her husband during the 15th century.
10. Frankenstein Castle, Germany | Castles Around The World
This castle overlooking Darmstadt is said to be the basis for Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” Based on mythology and myth. The castle was the residence of Johann Konrad Dippel, who produced potions and elixirs and was probably the inspiration for Dr Frankenstein. The dark and mysterious Odenwald surrounded the castle.
11. Moosham Castle, Austria
Moosham oversaw many killings, imprisonment and torture of hundreds of men and women suspected of being witches during the Salzburg Witch Trials of 1675 to 1690. Later in the 1800s, in the vicinity of the castle, deer’s and livestock found themselves dead and murdered for being wolves. Today, workers and guests have reported banging sounds, footage, white mist and feelings.
12. Himeji Castle, Japan
Himeji Castle was built in 1333 and is considered one of Japanese castle architecture’s best contemporary masterpieces. It was linked with some very frightening legends. The most popular narrative is about Okiku, an old folklore mythological character wrongly accused of losing precious dishes. She was murdered and thrown into the castle well. Now her fantasy hangs over the chateau at night with a mourning tone of food; she reaches nine and goes back to the well before shouting.
13. Casa Loma, Canada | Castles Around The World
Built in 1914 for his wife, Lady Mary Pellatt by industrialist Sir Henry Pellatt. Visitors and personnel at the castle now describe appearances, unseen personalities and even disembodied sounds around the building. The castles are known as the “White Lady” and haunted by numerous fantasies. In the early 1900s, she had been a maid on the estate. Sir Henry and his wife Lady Mary are believed to be seen. They tell us that they saw Mary, who is known to shut down the cameras of those trying to pick her up in the afterlife.
14. Voergaard Castle, Denmark
Voergaard castle shows artwork by Raphael, Goya and El Greco to the public in the Northeastern Danish city of Dronninglund. But it is equally well known for its dark past. Ingeborg Skeel, who purchased the castle in 1578 drowned the architect in the seam and was never allowed to create a gorgeous edifice as Voergaard again. Today people claim that the agonized spirit of Skeel walks throughout the night through the castle in white.
Even if you do not believe in history, Rosedonten, Voergaard’s most renowned dungeon, might nevertheless pass-through goosebumps: The room was built to prevent an adult from standing up straight at night.
15. Good Hope Castle, South Africa | Castles Around The World
Cape Town’s Good Hope Castle was one of the oldest and largest of the remaining colonial castles in South Africa, where the prisoners perished while they were chained to their walls—some say they haunt the area still. A great black dog, who springs to the guest before departing, a glove ringing by itself and light in the stronghold of Buren, switched on and off without human help.
Online Sources
Citations for websites
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- Atlas Obscura. (2016). A Ostentatious Castle in the Middle of Toronto. [online] Available at: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/casa-loma
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