There is a saying – where there is death, there is bound to be a story. Compiling a list of the “most haunted” places on planet Earth is a challenging task. There are several haunted places – masked in suspense and mystery- all over the globe. While there is no concrete scientific evidence supporting paranormal activity, many of them are part of popular folklore and ghost stories.
Here is a list of 50 haunted places around the world notorious for their ghostly tales and paranormal activity:
1. Poveglia Island, Italy
Poveglia Island – a small island between Venice and Lido in Italy is considered one of the most haunted places in the world. It has a history dating back to Roman times. During the bubonic plague outbreaks in the 14th century, Poveglia Island was used as a quarantine station and thousands of people died on the island during these outbreaks. The island was subsequently used as a mass burial site.
In the early 20th century, Poveglia Island was used as a psychiatric hospital to house mentally ill patients. There are claims of patient mistreatment and experimental medical procedures being conducted at the psychiatric hospital, which was eventually closed in the 1960s. Thereafter the island was abandoned and came to be known as one of the most haunted places in the world with many stories of paranormal activities, ghosts, and supernatural occurrences. Such is its terror that the Italian government did not allow public visits to the island.
2. The Myrtles Plantation, USA
The Myrtles Plantation a historic site in St. Francisville, Louisiana, USA is one of the most haunted houses in America, with a rich and complex history dating back to the late 18th century. Built around 1796 by General David Bradford, a lawyer and landowner, the plantation changed hands several times over the years and acquired the name “Myrtles” from the crepe myrtle trees surrounding the property.
One of the most talked about incidents in Myrtles’ history is an event called the “Chloe incident.” According to legend, a slave woman called Chloe was punished for eavesdropping on the plantation owner’s family. To seek revenge and yet get back in their good books she baked a poisoned cake to make them fall sick and then nurse them back to health. However, the plan went awry and some members of the family died due to the poison. Chloe was hanged for her crime. This became a part of the plantation’s haunted reputation. Over the years many visitors and staff claim to have seen the ghost of a woman, believed to be the spirit of Chloe, wandering around the property wearing a green turban. These apart people have been “Blood Stains” believed to be that of the victims’ which supposedly reappear even after attempts to remove them. Guests have reported hearing footsteps, doors slamming shut, and other eerie sounds throughout the house. There have also been accounts of odd reflections or unexplainable images in photographs taken on the property.
Today, the Myrtles Plantation operates as a museum and bed-and-breakfast hotel. Visitors can take tours to know about the property’s history, architecture, and the ghost stories associated with it. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, the Myrtles Plantation offers an intriguing and immersive experience of the past and the legends that surround this historic site.
3. Ancient Ram Inn, England
The Ancient Ram Inn known for paranormal activity is a historic inn located in Wotton-under-Edge village, in Gloucestershire, England. It is said to be the “most haunted building in Britain” and home to around 20 ghosts. The inn’s origins can be traced back to the 12th century, making it one of England’s oldest buildings still standing. According to legend, the Inn was originally built as a priest’s house in the 1100s, and it was later converted into an inn to accommodate travellers and visitors to the local church. Over the centuries, the building saw multiple uses both as a private residence and a pub.
The inn’s haunted reputation is attributed to various ghostly phenomena and legends associated with the location. It is said that the Ancient Ram Inn is built on the site of an ancient pagan burial ground, which explains some of the paranormal activity experienced there. There is also a room in the inn known as “The Witch’s Room” named after a witch who was once held captive in it. Several visitors claim to have felt her sinister presence in the room. Another haunted in the Inn is “The Bishop’s Room”. People who have visited the inn have reported strange phenomena, such as objects moving on their own, unexplained footsteps, and strange knocking sounds. Many of them have claimed to have seen ghosts and shadowy figures in the building and sudden cold temperatures, in different rooms without any logical reason for it. Ancient Ram Inn has attracted many paranormal investigators and enthusiasts from different parts of the world, who have experienced supernatural occurrences during their visits.
4. Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan, India
Bhangarh Fort is one of the most famous haunted places in India located in Alwar, Rajasthan, about 80 km away from Jaipur. Raja Bhagwant Das the ruler of Amber built it in the 17th century. According to folklore, a magician called Singhia fell in love with Ratnavati the beautiful Princess of Bhangarh and used black magic to win her over but the princess discovered his intentions. Singhia was sentenced to death. However, before dying he managed to curse the fort and the inhabitants of the city, which was ruined. Over some time, Bhangarh Fort earned the reputation of being a haunted place and visitors are not allowed inside the fort after sunset due to a belief that those who venture inside during the night do not return and face paranormal encounters. Despite the prohibition, Bhangarh Fort continues to attract tourists interested in its ghost stories and mysterious ambience.
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5. Château de Brissac, France
The Château de Brissac located in Brissac-Quincé, is listed as a historical monument by the French Ministry of Culture. It is the tallest castle in France, boasting seven stories and an impressive array of architectural features. It has a long and fascinating history dating back to the 11th century when the original castle was constructed as a fortress to defend against invasions during the Hundred Years’ War. Over the centuries, the castle underwent numerous expansions and renovations. In the 16th century, the castle was acquired by René de Cossé, who became the first Duke of Brissac.
The Château de Brissac is known for its ghostly legends and hauntings. The most famous ghost associated with the castle is the “Green Lady” or “La Dame Verte.” According to legend, she was the illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII and a washerwoman. She fell in love with a nobleman but was brutally murdered by his jealous wife. It is said that her spirit now roams the castle, often appearing as a green figure, bringing both sorrow and a sense of mystery to the place.
6. Leap Castle, Ireland
Leap Castle is one of Ireland’s most haunted castles with a long and intriguing history dating back over seven centuries. The castle’s name comes from the Irish “Leim Ui Bhanain” meaning “Leap of the O’Bannons,” as it was originally associated with the O’Bannon clan. The castle was strategically positioned to guard an important route through the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
The castle’s turbulent history saw numerous battles, sieges, and bloodshed. Over some time, it gained a reputation for being a site of violence and intrigue. The darkest phase in Leap Castle’s history occurred during the Tudor conquest of Ireland when the Darby family took possession of the castle.
In the 16th century, a fierce rivalry emerged between two brothers of the Darby family, Jonathan and Thaddeus. According to the legend, Thaddeus – a priest was conducting a Catholic Mass in the castle’s chapel when Jonathan, the elder brother, burst in and killed him. The priest fell across the altar and died in front of his family. This act of fratricide earned the chapel the name “The Bloody Chapel” and is believed to be the source of much of the castle’s paranormal activity.
Leap Castle has acquired a reputation for being haunted, and there have been numerous reported paranormal occurrences. It is believed that the spirit of the murdered priest, Thaddeus, still lingers in the castle’s chapel. Another infamous apparition at Leap Castle is known as “The Elemental” a malevolent, hunched-over figure with a decaying face. It is said to bring a feeling of dread and terror to those who encounter it. Over the years several visitors and investigators have reported objects moving on their own, unexplained noises, and strange occurrences throughout the castle.
7. Beechworth Lunatic Asylum, Australia
Beechworth Lunatic Asylum – a historic psychiatric hospital in Australia also known as Mayday Hills Hospital is known for its reputation as a haunted location. Like many psychiatric facilities of its time, it has a fascinating history. One of the largest asylums in Victoria, Beechworth Lunatic Asylum was established in 1867 to accommodate the increasing number of mentally ill patients in the region. During those days the patients at the asylum were subjected to many harsh and inhumane methods and therapies at the asylum which was overcrowded and had inadequate resources. The Beechworth Lunatic Asylum finally closed down in 1995 and efforts were made to preserve it as a heritage site because of its historical significance. Some parts of the asylum were left abandoned.
As with many old and abandoned buildings, Beechworth Lunatic Asylum gained a reputation for being haunted. There have been numerous reports of ghost sightings on the premises. On several occasions, doors have been reported to open and close on their own, and objects have moved without any apparent explanation. Many people visiting the asylum have described feelings of being watched or a sense of unease and discomfort. Over the years, many visitors, paranormal investigators, and ghost enthusiasts have reported seeing shadowy figures, ghostly apparitions, and strange lights while exploring the abandoned asylum and the surrounding grounds. Some of the visitors have claimed to have heard voices, whispers, and cries from the empty rooms and hallways. Some areas of the asylum are said to have unnaturally cold spots, even when the weather is warm, which is a common hallmark of paranormal activity. The site attracts tourists interested in its history, and ghost tours are a popular attraction.
8. Château de Chillon, Switzerland
The Château de Chillon, also known as Chillon Castle is a historic fortress located on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. As with many old castles and fortresses, Château de Chillon has over the years come to be a part of many ghost stories and paranormal folklore. One such ghost story revolves around the legend of the “White Lady.” According to the tale, Blanche the beautiful daughter of the Lord of Chillon fell in love with a commoner. Her father disapproved of the relationship and imprisoned Blanche’s lover in the castle’s dungeons. Blanche tried to free him but was caught and sentenced to death. Before her execution, she cursed the castle, vowing to haunt it forever. Even today the ghost of a white-clad woman has been reported to have been seen wandering in the halls and passages of the Castle.
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According to another legend, the ghost of a knight who was executed within the castle roams the castle, seeking revenge. Some visitors claim to have heard footsteps and clinking of chains echoing through the castle’s corridors, suggesting the presence of unseen spirits. Like many reputed haunted locations, people have reported unexplained drops in temperature or unusual sensations while exploring the castle.
9. Changi Beach, Singapore
Changi Beach located in northeastern Singapore played an important role in the country’s history due to its association with World War II. After the British surrendered Singapore to the Japanese in 1942, the beach and its surrounding areas were used to accommodate the infamous Changi Prisoner of War Camp, where thousands of allied – Australians, British, and other soldiers were held captive by the Japanese forces in utmost harsh conditions. The prisoners also had to undergo forced labour during their captivity.
According to popular legend Changi was the scene behind torture, atrocities and mass executions of both prisoners of war and civilian captives who were often taken out to sea and thrown overboard. Those who tried to swim across were shot with a machine gun to ensure that they were never returned. Just in February 1942, alone tens of thousands of Chinese people were brutally executed in Changi. This is one of the reasons behind the countless ghost stories and alleged paranormal occurrences associated with Changi Beach. On several occasions, apparitions and shadowy figures have reportedly been seen moving on the beach, especially late at night. Passersby have even sighted the heads of the deceased flying around and their headless bodies roaming around the beach. In some cases, scenes of execution and bloodstains have been witnessed.
These sightings are often attributed to the spirits of soldiers who lost their lives or endured great suffering during the war. Some people claim to have heard unexplained sounds like footsteps, whispers and cries as if echoing the suffering and torment that took place on the beach during World War II. Visitors have reported seeing mysterious lights flickering along the beach and in the distance. These lights are often associated with the spirits of the departed. Several individuals experienced an eerie feeling of being watched or followed while walking along the beach or near the historical sites. A popular belief is that the residual energy or imprint of past events is the cause behind the paranormal experiences at Changi Beach.
This old world war hospital is considered to be one of the most haunted places in Singapore. The hospital was constructed to treat the British soldiers, but the Japanese troops used it to house the prisoners of war whose screams and moans can still be heard.
Today the Changi Chapel and Museum, located near the beach, serves as a memorial for the prisoners who suffered and lost their lives during the war.
10 Hoia Baciu Forest, Romania
Hoia Baciu – often called “The Bermuda Triangle of Transylvania”, is a dense and mysterious forest in Romania. It has been called the creepiest forest in the world because of its spooky history and eerie reputation. According to popular legend, once upon a time a shepherd went to the forest with his flock of 200 sheep but was never seen again. Another legend relates the story of a young girl who got lost but returned years later, unchanged in appearance, with no memory of her disappearance.
Hoia Baciu Forest is known for a wide range of unexplained phenomena, including mysterious lights, ghostly apparitions, and strange shapes appearing in photographs taken within the forest. Visitors have reported feelings of unease, anxiety, and the sensation of being watched while inside the forest.
According to local folklore, there is a circular patch within the forest where nothing grows. It is commonly referred to as “The Clearing.” This area is known for paranormal activity, with some people claiming to experience strange sensations and physical discomfort while standing in the clearing. Some people claim to have witnessed unidentified flying objects or strange aerial phenomena in the skies above the forest.
Visitors to the forest report strange symptoms – nausea, anxiety, the feeling of being watched – and the failure of electronic devices.
For some strange reason, the trees in the Hoia Baciu Forest do not grow straight upwards and spiral around. An even more weird fact is that almost all the trees turn in a clockwise direction. Even scientists who went to the forest haven’t been able to figure out why the trees grow in such an erratic fashion.
