Bruno Pugh
Castles are often romanticized as symbols of medieval grandeur and fairy-tale wonder. However, many European castles hide chilling secrets behind their towering walls. These ancient strongholds witnessed brutal battles, grisly executions, and eerie hauntings. This is the story of 10 European castles that people dread visiting.
Bran Castle, Romania
Bran Castle is famously linked to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Though Stoker never visited Romania, the castle’s eerie Gothic appearance and location in the heart of vampire folklore have earned it the title of “Dracula’s Castle.” It served as a fortress against Ottoman invasions and was later used as a royal residence.
Château de Brissac, France
Famously called the “Giant of the Loire Valley,” Château de Brissac is as infamous for its hauntings as it is for its beauty, with seven stories and over 200 rooms. Built in the 11th century by the Counts of Anjou, the castle is said to be haunted by the “Green Lady,” the château’s resident ghost of Charlotte de Brézé.
Leap Castle, Ireland
Most people consider Leap Castle one of the most haunted castles in the world, built around the 15th century by the O’Bannon clan. Its gruesome history is marked by family feuds and chilling events. The castle is said to be the home to Elemental, a sinister spirit and malevolent force with a decaying face and a foul stench.
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
An iconic landmark in Scotland, Edinburgh Castle served as a royal residence, strategic stronghold, and detention facility. Several of its dungeons housed countless captives, many of whom faced grim fates within its stone walls. Visitors have reported hearing the eerie music of a phantom piper echoing through the halls.
Houska Castle, Czech Republic
Houska Castle is shrouded in mystery. The structure was reportedly constructed to seal a gateway to otherworldly realms. Some believe the castle’s chapel sits directly over a bottomless pit to prevent demons from escaping. This story is amplified by the castle’s eerie atmosphere and reports of ghostly apparitions.
Chillingham Castle, England
Considered the most haunted castle in the United Kingdom, Chillingham Castle has a history steeped in inhumanity. Its chamber of scourge, complete with original instruments, is a grim reminder of its past. Tourists have reported encounters with the “Blue Boy,” a spectral figure said to haunt the Pink Room.
Moosham Castle, Austria
The infamous Salzburg Witch Trials of the 17th century took place in this Austrian castle. Here, hundreds of women were accused of witchcraft, tortured, and executed after they were found guilty. Reports of werewolf sightings in the surrounding woods have added another hue to the castle’s tainted past.
Castle of Bardi, Italy
This castle has a tragic love story at its heart. According to legend, a young soldier named Moro jumped to his demise after believing his lover, Soleste, had been unfaithful. Several people have reported hearing whispers, feeling sudden temperature drops, and seeing apparitions of the ill-fated couple.
Frankenstein Castle, Germany
The castle is believed to have inspired Mary Shelley’s famous novel, “Frankenstein.” Its history includes alchemical experiments by Johann Conrad Dippel, a controversial figure rumored to have conducted gruesome experiments on corpses. Stories of hauntings, strange occurrences like unexplained lights, and sightings of ghostly figures abound.
Dragsholm Castle, Denmark
One of Europe’s oldest castles, Dragsholm Castle, was initially built as a medieval stronghold and later converted into a detention facility. Legend says that Dragsholm Castle is home to the ghosts of the Grey Lady, the White Lady, and the Earl of Bothwell, three individuals whose lives ended within its walls.