HAUNTED CASTLES

FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE, GERMANY

Overlooking the city of Darmstadt in central Germany, the

Frankenstein Castle is alleged to have been an inspiration

for Mary Shelley when she wrote her famous Gothic novel 

Frankenstein. The castle is thought to be haunted by the

ghost of Arbogast, a knight who once used to live there.

In 2008, the Ghost Hunters International team proved there

really is some sort of paranormal activity going on at the castle.

LEAP CASTLE, IRELAND

Built by the Irish O’Bannon clan in the 13th century, the Leap Castle

has a long and bloody history. There was a brutal fratricide committed

in the castle´s chapel now known as the Bloody Chapel. Moreover,

many people were held prisoners and executed there. The castle

is rumoured to be haunted by a number of spirits, including a

violent supernatural entity known as the Elemental, most

recognizable by the accompanying smell of rotting flesh

and sulphur.

ZVIKOV CASTLE, CZECH REPUBLIC

One of the most important early-Gothic castles in the Czech

Republic, the Zvikov Castle is thought to be haunted by a

supernatural being known as Rarasek. Weird events occur at

the castle frequently, including unexplainable technical problems,

unpredictable animals behaviour, spontaneous extinguishing

of fires, electromagnetic anomalies etc. Allegedly, those who

happen to sleep in the main tower will die within a year.

MOOSHAM CASTLE, AUSTRIA

Built at the end of the 12^th century, the Moosham Castle has an

unusually gloomy and bloody past as thousands of young women

were executed there during brutal witch trials. In the 19^th century,

numerous dead deer and cattle were also found near the castle,

which gave rise to a speculation that the castle might have also

served as a werewolves´ refuge. These days, the castle is

better known as the Witches Castle.

BRAN CASTLE, ROMANIA

One of the scariest castles in the world, the Bran Castle is alleged

to have been the seat of Vlad III – a cruel Romanian ruler better known

as Vlad Dracula or Vlad the Impaler. Notorious for brutally impaling

his enemies, the character of Vlad III inspired Bram Stoker to

write his famous Gothic horror novel Dracula. Yet, the castle has

another creepy element – one of its chapels hosts a gold casket in

which the Queen Marie’s heart was placed and buried.

LARNACH CASTLE, NEW ZEALAND

Located at the ridge of the Otago Peninsula in New Zealand, the

Larnach Castle is one of the spookiest places in the country.

Originally built as the residence of William Larnach, a prominent 

entrepreneur and politician in colonial New Zealand, the castle is

said to be haunted by at least one, and possibly two ghosts:

that of Kate, the daughter of the mansion’s original owner

and that of Larnach’s first wife, Eliza.

CASTLE OF GOOD HOPE, SOUTH AFRICA

Built by the Dutch East India Company in the second half of the

17^th century, the Castle of Good Hope is generally considered the

most haunted site in South Africa. The resident ghosts reportedly

include the ghost of Lady Anne Barnard who lived there, the

ghost of a soldier who hanged himself in the bell tower and the

ghosts of soldiers pacing the battlements. Despite its scary

reputation, the castle was declared a national monument in 1936.

CHATEAU DE BRISSAC, FRANCE

Built as early as the 11th century, Chateau de Brissac is a haunted

castle in west-central France. According to the legend, one of the

previous residents of the castle caught his wife with another

man and murdered them both. These days, the castle serves as a

hotel where multiple paranormal activities such as eerie sounds,

slight touches, ghostly sightings, and wailing throughout the

halls are frequently reported by the guests.

BELCOURT CASTLE, RHODE ISLAND

Originally built as a summer cottage and designed by architect 

Richard Morris Hunt for Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont, a

prominent 19^th century US politician, the Belcourt Castle is now one

of the most haunted places in Rhode Island. In 1956, the Tinney family

of Cumberland bought this castle and one of the family members,

Harold Tinney, is believed to reside in the castle even in his

afterlife, roaming the castle´s grounds.