EERIE CASTLES

ROCKY HILL CASTLE, ALABAMA

Built as a plantation house between Town Creek and Courtland,

Alabama, the Rocky Hill Castle was surrounded by numerous

ghost stories and folklore legends. Before it was demolished in

1960’s, the castle was purported to be haunted by the spirit

of a Lady in Blue, ghosts of Civil War soldiers, and the ghosts

of tortured slaves. Prior to its destruction, it was also alleged

that knocking and banging of unknown origin often

occurred in the house.

BALLYGALLY CASTLE, NORTHERN IRELAND

Built in 1625, the Ballygally Castle is one of the most haunted

places in Northern Ireland. Now serving as a hotel, the castle

is reputed to host a number of ghosts, the most active of

which is the former resident, Madam Nixon, who has been

allegedly haunting the castle since her death in the 18^th century.

She roams the passages at night dressed in a silk dress.

Her fleeting appearances have recently been confined

to a room in a corner turret.

HIMEJI CASTLE, JAPAN

One of the greatest examples of Japanese castle architecture,

the Himeji Castle in the Hyogo Prefecture has been a site of some

eerie events and unexplainable occurrences. In fact, it is the castle´s

well that has allegedly witnessed the most haunting as it is thought

to host the ghost of Okiku, a mythical character from ancient

Japanese legends. The ghost is supposed to rise from the well at

night and count to nine before shrieking and returning to the well.

AKERSHUS CASTLE, NORWAY

Built in the 13^th century to protect Norway´s capital Oslo, the

Akershus Castle is regarded as the scariest place in the country.

In more recent history, the castle served as a prison, here many

prisoners died and it was also where the Nazis executed masses

of people during the WWII. With such a bleak history, it comes as

no surprise that the castle is believed to be haunted by numerous

ghosts, even including the ghost of a dog who was supposed

to guard the castle gate.

CHARLEVILLE CASTLE, IRELAND

A Gothic-style castle located in Ireland, the Charleville Castle is

one of the most haunted castles in the country. Alleged to be

haunted by the third Earl of Charleville’s daughter Harriet, the castle

was featured in several paranormal reality TV series such as

Scariest Places on Earth, Most Haunted, and Ghost Hunters International.

Harriet is believed to have haunted the place since 1861 when

she died after falling from the staircase at the age of eight.

FRANKLIN CASTLE, OHIO

Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Franklin Castle has a particularly

gloomy reputation, ranking among the most haunted places in

the US. The castle features many hidden passages and rooms,

including a trap door that lead to a tunnel that goes nowhere

and more infamously, a room in which dozens of human baby

skeletons were found. Surrounded by several other tragic stories,

the castle is thought to be haunted by children ghosts.

ERASMUS CASTLE, SOUTH AFRICA

Also known as “Die Spookhuis” or “The Haunted House”, the

Erasmus Castle is a large mansion famous for frequent ghost

sightings and supernatural encounters. These days, the castle

is open for public tours and cultural gatherings, which is why

so many people have witnessed various paranormal activities at

the castle such as lit windows in the uninhabited parts of the

building, unexplainable human sounds etc.

BEAUMARIS CASTLE, WALES

One of the world´s greatest examples of symmetrical concentric

planning, the Beaumaris Castle is a haunted medieval castle

in north Wales. Built in 1330, the castle is said to be home to

strange echoes of chanting which have been caught on audio

recording equipment by visitors to the small chapel area.

The feeling of being watched has also been felt in the long

dark corridors and an over-all sense of creepy loneliness

can be felt there.