Haunted place: Top 45 scariest places in the world (1)
Nothing beats a good ghost story, and our planet is full of them: UFO sightings in Transylvania, murders on luxury cruise ships and spirits wandering the halls of British castles. No matter where you travel, you're sure to find some sort of haunted place, and a ghost tour to go along with it.
But even if you're not a fan of paranormal activity, some of the spookiest places are worth checking out, whether for their beautiful architecture, breathtaking sights or fascinating history.
Here are the 45 most haunted places in the world that you'll want to visit any time of the year, and not just on October 31.
In America:Isla de las Munecas, Mexico
Despite its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved examples of Aztec life, the Xochimilco neighborhood has achieved some internet notoriety for its Island of the Dolls. Hidden among the area's many canals, the site is famous for the hundreds of dolls – and parts of dolls – hanging from trees and strewn across the grass. Although it looks more like a horror movie set, the Chinampa (a kind of artificial island) was once the residence of a now deceased man, Julian Santa Barrera. After finding the body of a dead girl in a nearby canal, Barrera collected and displayed the toys in hopes of warding off evil spirits, National Geographic reports.
The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado
The Stanley Hotel's stately Georgian architecture has drawn travelers to Estes Park since it opened in 1909, but the hotel rose to a new level of fame after inspiring Stephen King to create the fictional Overlook hotel in his novel The Shining . This strange association aside, many other ghost sightings and mysterious piano music have been linked to the hotel, and The Stanley Hotel builds on its reputation by hosting nightly ghost tours and psychic consultations with Madame Vera.
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia
Built in 1829, the castle-like Eastern State Penitentiary took solitary confinement to new heights. Prisoners lived alone, exercised alone, and ate alone; when an inmate left his cell, a guard covered his head with a hood so he could not see or be seen. The prison had to abandon its system of solitary confinement due to overcrowding in 1913, but the forms of punishment did not become less severe (chaining an inmate's tongue to his wrists is an example) before it was finally closed in 1970. The site now welcomes thousands of visitors every year, both for its museum and for Halloween celebrations. Disembodied laughter, shadowy figures and footsteps have been reported as paranormal phenomena.
Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia
The entire city of Savannah is one gigantic ghost story, with mysterious stories surrounding everything from public parks to breweries. But few places in the city evoke as much reverence as the Bonaventure Cemetery, overflowing with Spanish moss and time-worn Victorian monuments. Many famous people are buried here, like singer Johnny Mercer and poet Conrad Aiken, but it's Gracie Watson's grave that somber tourists should visit in droves. Died at the age of six, her grave is marked by a life-size marble statue whose hand rests on a tree stump, symbolizing her shortened life. Many visitors lay toys at his grave, and some have reported seeing Gracie's ghost near the site.
St. Augustine Lighthouse, Florida
The St. Augustine Lighthouse is visited by more than 216,000 people each year, but it is just as well known for its guests from beyond. Several tragic events at this now historic site have contributed to the alleged paranormal activity. The ghost of a lighthouse keeper who fell to his death while painting the tower has been spotted watching the scene. And since the horrific deaths of three young girls, who drowned when the cart they were playing in broke apart and fell into the ocean, visitors claim to hear the sounds of children playing in and around the lighthouse. -this.
Oriental Theater, Chicago
Ghosts are said to haunt the Oriental Theater (formerly the Iroquois Theater) in Chicago's downtown Loop district, where nearly 600 people perished after a famous fire in 1903. Although the theater was entirely rebuilt and renamed, the spirits of the dead have remained: apparitions have been seen in "Death Alley," the street behind the theater where bodies were piled after the disaster (and a common stop on many Chicago ghost tours ).
Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires
La Recoleta Cemetery has thousands of statues, fairytale caves and intricate headstones, as well as the remains of Argentina's most iconic figure, Eva Perón. The stone walkways and labyrinth of mausoleums are as beautiful as they are eerie, and Recoleta has its own haunted legends. One of the most famous stories concerns David Alleno, a former gravedigger and caretaker who worked at the cemetery for 30 years before committing suicide. Today, people say they hear the sound of Alleno's keys as his ghost wanders the aisles at dawn.
Whaley House, San Diego
Thomas Whaley built this homestead in 1857, on the former site of San Diego's first public gallows. Shortly after moving in, he said he heard the heavy footsteps of "Yankee" Jim Robinson, a drifter and thief who was hanged at the site four years before the house was built. Whaley's family history ended up being filled with tragic deaths and suicides – many of which happened inside the house itself. According to the Whaley House Museum, some family members still haunt the place, running up the stairs and turning the lights on and off.
RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, Californie
Apart from a brief stint as a warship during World War II, RMS Queen Mary served as a luxury liner from 1936 to 1967. During that time she was the scene of at least one murder – a sailor crushed to death through an engine room door – and of children drowning in the swimming pool. The city of Long Beach bought the ship in 1967 and turned it into a hotel, and it still does today, although the ghosts of deceased passengers can stay there for free. (For an extra dose of thrill, try visiting the ship's engine room, considered by many to be a "hotbed" of paranormal activity).
Hôtel Fairmont Banff Springs, Canada
Built in 1888 to encourage tourism and sell train tickets, this castle-style hotel is located near the Rocky Mountains in Canada's Banff National Park. But it gets a bit more gothic once inside, and we're not talking about the architecture. The Calgary Herald reported on several resident ghosts, including a bride who allegedly fell down the stone staircase during her wedding. But there's also a less tragic spirit: Sam the bellhop, who worked at the hotel until 1975 and who claimed to have come back to haunt the place. His spirit reportedly went on guard duty to help people pack before disappearing.
Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana
Built in 1796 by General David Bradford, Myrtles Plantation is considered one of the most haunted sites in America. The house is said to be on an Indian cemetery and is home to at least 12 different spirits. Legends and ghost stories abound, including that of a former slave named Chloe, who had her ear cut off after she was caught eavesdropping. She got revenge by poisoning a birthday cake and killing two of the plantation owner's daughters, but she was later hanged by her fellow slaves. Chloe now walks around the plantation, wearing a turban to conceal her severed ear.
Xunantunich, Belize
In the heart of the Belizean jungle, less than a kilometer from the Guatemalan border, Xunantunich is an ancient Mayan ruin abandoned for a millennium. An earthquake caused the collapse of the original civilization, but the complex was rediscovered by explorers in the 1890s. ghosts. The ancient city is said to be haunted by a female ghost: a woman with black hair and bright red eyes. She was first sighted by one of the first search parties in 1893 and has been seen near El Castillo (the tallest building in the complex) many times since then. Nobody knows exactly who the "lady of stone" is,
Tapia Theater, Porto Rico
Puerto Rico is known for its natural beauty and rich history, the latter of which lends itself well to bizarre experiences. One of the most famous sights on the island is the Teatro Tapia, a theater in San Juan known for its plays, concerts, and paranormal activity. According to an urban legend, an actress who fell to her death during a theater performance has come back to haunt the place. Some visitors have claimed to have seen his ghost wandering the theater grounds, while others have reported mysterious footsteps, doors opening and closing, and an unseen chorus of voices coming from the scene. The Teatro Tapia still puts on frequent ballet and music performances, so buy a ticket to see some local performances – and maybe a local ghost while you're there.
Dock Street Theater, Charleston
Renovated in 2010, Charleston's Dock Street Theater is a beautiful downtown venue, hosting plays and concerts year-round. But the site has quite a tumultuous history. Besides the fire that ravaged the original theater in 1740, the building was damaged by an earthquake in 1886 and fell into disrepair in the early 20th century. To make matters even scarier, a woman named Nettie Dickerson is said to have been struck by lightning while standing on the balcony in the mid-1800s, and her ghost is said to hover on the second floor of the theater.
Carl Beck House, Canada
Built by lumber magnate Carl Beck in the late 1800s, this Penetanguishene house is known as one of the most haunted houses in Ontario. According to legend, Beck and his family lived together in the house; after the death of his wife, the eldest daughter, Mary, was left to raise the younger children. Years later, when Carl died, he inexplicably left Mary a dollar in his will. Today, an angry female ghost – presumably Mary – is said to appear in the upstairs windows. For any travelers curious about Victorian architecture with a paranormal side, you can actually rent the Carl Beck House on Airbnb, from 119 euros per night.
House of Lizzie Borden, Fall River, Massachusetts
This supposedly haunted bed-and-breakfast is the scene of a gruesome and highly publicized murder. Although she was eventually acquitted, Lizzie Borden was suspected of killing her father and stepmother with a hatchet in this unassuming home in 1892. Since then, visitors have reported all manner of strange sightings in the House. Guided tours and overnight stays are offered for intrepid travelers who want to experience the famous mansion for themselves.
In Oceania:Old Parliament, Canberra, Australia
Much like Savannah, the entire city of Canberra seems like a paranormal hotspot, especially when it comes to the buildings in the Parliament Triangle. The Kurrajong Hotel, a four-star hotel whose hallways are roamed by renowned ghosts, is believed to be home to the ghost of former Prime Minister Ben Chifley, who died on the night of June 13, 1951 after suffering a heart attack in room 214 His gray-suited ghost has been known to appear in that same room from time to time, writes the Canberra Times. And then there's the Old Parliament Building itself, where security guards and cleaners reported hearing their names whispered in the night.
Larnach Castle, New Zealand
This extravagant house was built between 1871 and 1887 as the residence of William Larnach, a prominent New Zealand politician. Most notable is the 3,000 square foot ballroom, which Larnach had built as a birthday present for his favorite daughter Kate, who later died of typhoid at the age of 26 and is said to have she still haunts the ballroom. Don't leave those taps on your shoulder and whispers in your ear to the imagination: The building has been visited by paranormal investigators and featured on the show Ghost Hunters International.
Port Arthur, Tasmania
Port Arthur began as a penal colony in 1833, housing British convicts until it was abandoned in 1877. During these decades, the island – described as “inevitable” – worked to correct the morals of prisoners, by resorting to methods such as solitary confinement and compulsory religious services. Since its abandonment, the facility has been a destination for curious tourists, and it was officially preserved as a historic site in 1979. Today you'll find what the New York Times describes as "an impressive device of commemoration, complete with a ferry, an interactive exhibition for children and well-trained guides”. It is possible to take guided tours of the ruins and the open-air museum, as well as the nearby island of the Isle of the Dead,
In Europe:St. George's Church, Czech Republic
Originally built in 1352, St. George's Church (about 125 miles east of Prague) has quite the history. The building was nearly destroyed by fire several times over the centuries, and its roof partially collapsed during a funeral service in 1968. After this event, the congregation was convinced the church was haunted and refused to enter it; as a result, the building was stripped by thieves and fell prey to vandalism. Everything changed in 2012, when an art student from the University of West Bohemia had the idea to attract visitors to the church again: a collection of 30 sculptures of ghosts sitting on the pews, their heads lowered. Today, tourists flock to the
Hoia-Baciu Forest, Romania
Since a military technician took a picture of a 'UFO' hovering over the forest in 1968, Hoia-Baciu has gained paranormal notoriety around the world, with some believing it to be a portal that makes visitors disappear. Those who made it through the forest without being propelled into another world reported rashes, nausea and feelings of anxiety, according to The Independent. Known as the “Bermuda Triangle of Transylvania,” the winding trees that populate the forest only add to the eerie atmosphere.
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
One of the biggest attractions in the Scottish capital is also considered one of the most haunted. With sections dating back over 900 years, the ancient keeps of the historic fortress have led visitors to report sightings of colonial prisoners from the American Revolutionary War and French prisoners from the Seven Years' War, and even the ghost of a stray dog in the dog graveyard of the castle.
Gunnuhver, Iceland
If you ever thought Iceland had a supernatural side, wait until you hear the story of Gunnuhver, the country's largest geothermal mud pool. The area owes its name to Gunna, a woman who lived on this part of the Reykjanes peninsula around 400 years ago. After starving to death, her spirit returned to her home to violently murder her former landlord and his wife. The townspeople called in a priest to sort out their little ghost problem, which he solved by throwing Gunna into a pool of boiling mud. Although no other supernatural murders have taken place since then, some visitors claim to occasionally glimpse Gunna's ghostly figure through the mist of the pools.
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Haunted place: Top 45 scariest places in the world(2)
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