Leap Castle, Ireland
As legend has it, during a struggle for power within the O'Carroll clan (which had a fondness for poisoning dinner guests), one brother plunged a sword into another, a priest, as he was holding mass in the castle's chapel. The room is now called “The Bloody Chapel,” and the priest is said to haunt the church at night.
Chillingham Castle, England
Regarded as Britain’s most haunted castle, the aptly named Chillingham Castle has a horrific history of prisoner-ridden dungeons and well-used torture chambers. Its roll call of resident spooks include the whimpering “blue boy,” the pantry’s frail “white lady,” and the perpetually lonesome Lady Mary Berkeley.
Burg Eltz, Germany
Burg Eltz dates back to 1157, and the list of myths surrounding the castle is nearly as long. Of the few rooms in the castle open to tourists, supposedly one of the most haunted, is the bedroom of the Countess Agnes. Her bed, breastplate, and battle axe remain in the room, and legend has it that she died defending the castle from an “undesirable” suitor and, therefore, still haunts the German castle
Houska Castle, Czech Republic
Located about an hour north of Prague, Houska Castle has no fortifications, no kitchen, and had no occupants when it was built. It does, however, have something within its walls that no other castle in the world has—a large hole in the ground that many consider to the gateway to hell.
Predjama Castle, Slovenia
Add in local legend and you’ll be hard pressed not to get spooked: Once the residence of knight Erazem Lueger, Predjama has hidden passageways and was reputedly a site of torture and treachery. Lueger was betrayed by his servants and killed in the castle, and is said to still haunt it today.
Himeji Castle, Japan
The most popular tale tells the story of Okiku, a mythical character from ancient legends who was falsely accused of losing valuable dishes. She was killed and thrown into the well in the castle. Her ghost now haunts the castle at night, counting dishes in a mournful tone; she reaches nine before shrieking and returning to the well.
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
One of the biggest attractions in Scotland’s capital city is also, according to many, one of its most haunted. With parts dating back more than 900 years, the historic fortress’s ancient dungeons have led visitors to the castle to report “visits” from colonial prisoners from the American Revolutionary War, French prisoners from the Seven Years War—and even the ghost of a dog wandering the cemetery on the castle’s grounds.
Moosham Castle, Austria
During the Salzburg Witch Trials between 1675 and 1690, Moosham played host to many of the executions, imprisonments, and torturing of hundreds of men and women accused of being witches. Later, in the 1800s, so many deer and cattle within the castle’s proximity were found dead that residents were tried—and killed—for being werewolves.
Bhangarh Fort, India
Nearby villagers whisper of paranormal activity, but skeptics say the after-dark ban’s true intent is to protect people from the dwellers of an adjacent tiger reserve. The gloomy aura and negative vibrations of Bhangarh Fort, however, are agreed upon by believers and nonbelievers alike
