One of Ireland’s most Spookiest Castles is Leap Castle, which is located in Coolderry in the county of Offaly. The history of this historic fortification, which dates back to 1250, includes a horrible incident that will never be forgotten. Due to the sad priest murder, the castle rose to fame. The priest was murdered by his own brother in the location that is now known as the “Bloody Chapel.” Right in front of the altar, a horrifying incident of fratricide marred the history of the castle by lending it a sense of gloom and the supernatural.
Predjama Castle, Slovenia
Intriguing Haunt within a Cave
Predjama Castle is a singular and mysterious building located in the centre of south-central Slovenia. It is built inside the mouth of a cave. The castle, which was built in a setting that combines architectural prowess with natural surroundings, belonged to a notorious knight by the name of Erasmus of Lueg. Erasmus was famously obstinate against the Hapsburgs and was killed after a protracted siege under the command of soldiers loyal to Frederick III, the Holy Roman Emperor. According to legend, Erasmus’ restless ghost still lingers behind the walls of the castle as a reminder of his turbulent life and dramatic death.
In Romania, notably in Transylvania, Bran Castle, also referred to as “Dracula’s Castle,” is regarded as a masterpiece of the Middle Ages. Its notoriety is closely linked to the fabled character Vlad the Impaler, even though the historical connection is at best tenuous. The ruthless reputation of Vlad III adds to the castle’s ominous atmosphere. Although it is still unknown whether Bram Stoker, the author of “Dracula,” ever visited the castle, Vlad the Impaler’s history has left a definite and unsettling presence in this ancient stronghold.
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Echoes of Napoleonic Wars
An iconic structure from the 12th century, Edinburgh Castle is a well-known landmark in Scotland. It draws tourists, but it’s also a haunt for spooky ghosts. The history of the castle is haunted by the restless ghosts of the Napoleonic Wars. One of the creepiest ghost experiences mentioned in the reports is a headless drummer boy. His phantom drum is reported to beat in time with the phantom march of his invisible feet, signalling his spectral presence.
Carini Castle, Italy
A Haunting Love Tale
In Sicily, Italy, close to Palermo, the Carini Castle spins a chilling tale about Laura Lanza, the Baroness of Carini, and her tragic end. When Laura and her boyfriend were discovered in an inappropriate situation in the year 1563, her father and brother brutally executed them. A bloody handprint on the castle wall, close to the location of their untimely demise, is said to appear on the anniversary of this heinous event as a morbid reminder.
The Moosham Castle, located in Salzburg, Austria’s Lungau district, is a monument to the terrifying Zaubererjackl witch trials that took place between 1675 and 1690. The hundreds of people, including children, who were sentenced to death at this time are still present on the castle’s aged walls. Their combined agony left an enduring impact on the old stones, and it is thought that their tortured souls are still bound to the castle.
Chillingham Castle, England
Britain’s Most Haunted Stronghold
Those who enter the stern walls of Chillingham Castle, a mediaeval castle with a menacing look, are under the uncanny spell of the fortress. Chillingham’s past is entwined with haunting tales, earning it the title of Britain’s most haunted castle. Visitors to the castle’s Pink Room are often filled with astonishment and shivers by the infamous “blue boy” phantom, which resides there and is surrounded by an ethereal aura.
Houska Castle, Czech Republic
Guarding the Gateway to Hell
Folklore portrays Houska Castle, located close to the Czech settlement of Blatce, as the keeper of one of the purported entrances to Hell. In order to prevent demons from escaping and inflicting devastation on humans, it serves this role. As a sign of the dreadful power attributed to this mysterious fortress, those who dare to enter the “devil’s pit” are said to turn into horrifying headless horses or hideous, frog-like animals.
With its completion in 1215, Denmark’s Dragsholm Castle stands tall in Zealand and is among the country’s oldest secular buildings. However, when it was turned into a jail in the 16th century, its past took a terrible turn. The Earl of Bothwell, who is claimed to have had ties to Mary, Queen of Scots, and who was afterwards detained and imprisoned at Dragsholm Castle, is one of the two female apparitions known as the Grey Lady and the White Lady that have been seen at the castle.
