When it comes to haunted locations, Europe has a rich and mysterious history that’s just begging to be explored. With ancient buildings and terrifying tales, the continent is a treasure trove for thrill-seekers and paranormal enthusiasts alike. In this list, we’ll take you on a ghostly journey through 10 of the most haunted locations in Europe. Where paranormal activities and eerie atmospheres are the order of the day. From ghost villages steeped in tragedy to spine-tingling castles with blood-curdling pasts, these destinations are sure to send shivers down your spine. So, grab your paranormal guide, and let’s dive into the dark and spine-tingling world of Europe’s most haunted locations!
10 – Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland
When you consider the background to Edinburgh Castle, it’s no surprise that it’s been declared one of the most haunted places in the world. Its history dates back centuries, with Queen Margaret dying at the castle way back in 1093. Since then countless generations of royalty and military have lived and died in the castle…and stuck around to haunt us!
There have been plenty of sightings and supernatural goings-on over the years, even by sceptics. Having your clothes pulled, experiencing sudden drops in temperature, and seeing a ghostly aproned figure are just a few of the terrifying things that lurk behind this castle’s walls…
09 – Poveglia Island, Italy
This small island is located near Venice, Italy. Over the years it has been used for various purposes, perhaps most shockingly as a way of isolating people who were dying from the Bubonic Plague and the Black Death in the 14th and 17th Centuries respectively. Since then, its usage has been a little shady. There are plenty of rumours as to what happened on its shores, but none of them are pleasant.
Nowadays, the island is completely uninhabited, with many people from nearby towns steering well clear to avoid being cursed. For those who do manage to visit the island, there have been reports of ghosts and eerie screams. There have even been stories of possessions, including of a television presenter. Visit if you dare…
08 – The Catacombs, Paris, France
Situated deep in the stone quarries of Paris are the thousands of skeletons. Grave overcrowding became a problem in the 18th Century, so the decision was taken to exhume bodies which had already been buried, and transfer them to The Catacombs.
These days the incredible Catacombs are open to the public, as seeing so many skeletons in one place is quite striking. However, it’s not always a grand day out. Visitors have reportedly been touched, watched and even strangled by ghostly spectres.
07 – Hoia-Baciu Forest, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
It couldn’t be a list of most haunted places in Europe without including somewhere in Romania. This area has always been associated with Dracula and other spooky affairs. Especially the castles which inspired Mary Shelley and which were home to Vlad the Impaler. However, those are more tourist attractions than really scary places. For that, take a trip to the Hoia-Baciu Forest, otherwise known as the World’s Most Haunted Forest.
Just about everything strange which cannot be explained away has taken place in this forest. From UFO sightings to faces appearing in photographs to disappearing shepherds, this is a hotspot for scary activity. The forest is rife with ghosts and apparitions, which leave visitors literally scratched, burned and very, very scared.
06 – Houska Castle, north of Prague, Czech Republic
This is a very formiddable looking building, which appears to be built to keep people out. However, that’s not quite the case. Instead, it was built to keep something in… That ‘something’ is a hole full of evil, demonic monsters, according to local legends. Eventually the hole was sealed, and the building remains in place to this day.
It’s up to you to decide whether this is the stuff of myth or reality, but that’s not where it ends. During World War II, the Nazis used the very same building to carry out secret, occult experiments. Nobody knows just what went on behind those closed doors, but it did result in the deaths of several Nazi soldiers; their skeletons were found some time later. Since then, visitors to what is now a tourist attraction repeatedly complain of terrifying ghosts – of both the human and monster varieties…
05 – Moosham Castle, Salzburg, Austria
Built over 800 years ago, Moosham Castle looks like something straight out of a horror story mixed with a fairy tale. It is often referred to as Witches Castle, and the reasons are pretty clear. This was the location for the trials and executions of thousands of women who were accused of being witches. Now, their ghosts walk the corridors; the blend of witchcraft and ghosts is terrifying for anyone who ventures within.
However, the supernatural activity does not just end with witches and ghosts. The dead bodies of deer and cattle have been found in the area surrounding Moosham Castle, leading to speculation that it could be werewolf territory, too!
04 – Leap Castle, County Offaly, Ireland
When a castle has a room known as the ‘Bloody Chapel’, you know it’s a sinister place. Such is the case with Leap Castle in Ireland. A gruesome murder took place in the chapel, which is how it got its name – and its haunted status. The castle is on the site of old Druid land, which has also seen plenty of other killings over the years.
Leap Castle is still privately owned, but it is possible to book a tour. Venture within and you, too, could have some terrifying ghostly experiences…
03 – Akershus Festning, Oslo, Norway
This fortress is believed to be one of the most haunted places in Norway, and it’s easy to see why. It was built during the 13th Century, and several hundred years later it served as a prison. Many people lost their lives at that time – and even more were executed at the hands of the Nazis, who occupied this castle during World War II.
It is these poor souls’ ghosts which haunt visitors in the present day. Rumours suggest that a dog was buried alive in the grounds, and its ghost can still be seen today. However, catch sight of it and you’re destined to lose your own life within the space of a year.
02 – Château de Brissac, Maine-et-Loire, France
The origins of this beautiful French castle – which is the tallest in the Loire valley – go back as far as the 11th Century. It is said that at one point, the owner’s wife enjoyed having extramarital affairs. One day, her husband snapped, brutally killing both his wife and her lover.
He may have removed the immediate problem, but his victims did not leave him. Their cries echo around the Château de Brissac, haunting everyone who stays there. There have even been sightings of a woman who walks the corridors – the ghost of the woman who met her end at the hands of her husband.
01 – Ancient Ram Inn, Gloucestershire, England
Both the owners and guests who have stayed at the inn have experienced terrifying ghostly figures in their rooms and being pushed around, as well as a sense of something sinister. This has been scrutinised by many supernatural experts and enthusiasts, who have all been left convinced of the building’s haunted nature. When weapons and skeletons of children are found buried within the structure of the house itself, it’s impossible to draw any other conclusion!
As our journey through Europe’s most haunted locations comes to an end, i hope you’ve enjoyed this terrifyingly tantalizing tour of the continent’s paranormal hotspots. These ancient buildings and eerie sites have stood the test of time. And their chilling tales continue to captivate and haunt the imaginations of those who dare to explore them. Whether you’re a seasoned paranormal investigator or a curious traveler seeking a thrilling adventure, these destinations offer an unforgettable experience that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home. So, the next time you’re planning a European getaway, why not venture off the beaten path and immerse yourself in the spine-chilling world of the paranormal? Just remember – you never know what might be lurking around the corner…