History has a dark side – and nowhere is that more alluring than most haunted castles in the world (or at least in Europe). These storied landmarks have witnessed centuries of mystery, tragedy and legend, from ghostly queens and cursed alchemists to inspiration for modern pop culture, like Tim Burton’s Wednesday. Whether you’re chasing myths or marvelling at architecture, these fortresses promise chills, charm, and a dose of cinematic drama.
Also Read: 7 Fairytale Castles in Germany That Seem Right out of a Disney Movie
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Located in the mythical region of Transylvania, Bran Castle is perhaps the best-known and most emblematic castle on this list of the most haunted castles in the world. After all, wouldn't it make the perfect home for a certain vampire, with its high walls and pointed towers? Internationally renowned, there have been countless appearances of the imposing castle, built by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century, as the home of Count Dracula, ever since it was first rumoured to have inspired the ownership of Bram Stoker's original Dracula. Despite this popular belief, Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who himself inspired Dracula, never stayed there. Today, the castle is largely closed to the public, but there are tours and festive events that allow the public to visit the open rooms. The château organises masked balls and themed evenings throughout the year.
Built in the 11th century by the Count of Anjou, then enlarged and renovated in the 16th century, Château de Brissac is considered one of the most haunted castles in France. But who haunts it? Legend has it that the corridors of this “Giant of the Loire Valley” are haunted by the “Green Lady”, who was murdered in the 15th century. This Green Lady was none other than Charlotte de Valois, half-sister of King Louis XI and wife of the Duc de Brissac, murdered by her husband after he discovered her with a lover. Stabbed to death in a sumptuous emerald gown, she has haunted the château ever since, moaning and making fleeting appearances in the chapel of the immense building. Although the building is open to visitors, rumours and legends have it that the castle is still a place where the paranormal is a frequent guest, and the spirit of the jealous husband is also said to haunt it, making for an eventful evening for ghost-hunting enthusiasts planning a Halloween visit.
Moosham Castle, also known as Burg Moosham, is one of Austria's most important paranormal sites. Open to the public, it houses a vast collection of art, including a number of items that once belonged to the Count of Wilczek, but also, and perhaps most importantly, a large number of torture instruments used during a famous witch hunt. According to Moosham Castle, these famous witch trials are among the darkest chapters in the region's history. “In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the fear of witchcraft led to widespread persecution. People accused of witchcraft were imprisoned, tortured and executed in atrocious ways”. Traces of this tragic period can still be found today, and the castle's exhibition is irrefutable proof of this.
This list will probably never be exhaustive, but it would be a shame to miss the enigmatic Frankenstein Castle – and yes, you read that right. Mary Shelley, the mother of science fiction and author of the famous novel now being adapted for the screen by Guillermo del Toro, is said to have drawn inspiration from the site for her still-famous story. The young woman, barely 19 at the time of the novel's writing, is said to have visited the castle, where she learned the story of a 17th-century alchemist who tried to artificially create life there. In addition to this apparent link with the famous novel, and the multitude of legends associated with it, including that of a fountain of youth and a dragon, the castle's surroundings are said to be the most paranormal in Germany, thanks to the proximity of a mountain with a magnetic stone, which, according to local folklore, is the work of witches. These myths and legends now make the mountain the country's second-largest witch-cult site.
It's the highlight of the show, although it's been altered using the usual cinematic tricks to make viewers of Tim Burton's iconic Mercredi series dream. Romania's Cantacuzino Castle looks less menacing in person than it does on screen, but that doesn't stop it from attracting tourists and the curious from all walks of life. Sometimes called “Zamora Castle” after the district in which it stands, this so-called neo-Romanian castle was built for Prince George Gregory Cantacuzene between 1901 and 1911. Today, a banner decorates the entrance to the property, designating it as the filming location for the Nevermore Academy. Did you know, moreover, that the name of this illustrious academy for young “peculiarities”, so to speak, is taken straight from a poem by Edgar Allan Poe, in which a raven speaks to the poet in these terms? What this exclamation “never again” refers to it's hard to say, but who knows, maybe you'll come across a chatty corvid who'll be able to explain it to you, if you happen to be visiting Romania.
