Buzz
This season is when the allure of the macabre reaches its peak. Whether it's indulging in horror films featuring iconic villains or delving into the chilling accounts of real-life infamous figures, the fascination with the eerie is undeniable. Explore the supernatural, and brace yourself for the unknown as you uncover what might—or might not—be lurking in the shadows. Whether you're a believer in ghosts and ghouls or dismiss them as folklore from centuries past, certain locations around the world evoke an undeniable sense of dread. These are the places that fuel nightmares, trigger anxiety, and beckon for return visits. With a bit of luck, you might just stumble upon something truly otherworldly. Dive into the list and enjoy!
10. Shelbourne Hotel Dublin, Ireland
In 1824, a row of bathhouses was transformed into the grand Shelbourne Hotel. This historic establishment holds a significant place in Ireland's history, as it was where the country's constitution was drafted in 1922. Over the years, it has been a favorite haunt for numerous celebrities visiting Dublin. Room 526 is famously associated with a medium who claimed to communicate with Mary, the hotel's eternal resident. Mary was a young girl who lived in the houses that were later converted into the hotel, tragically passing away from cholera in 1791.
9. Highgate Cemetery London, England
During the Victorian era, Highgate Cemetery was the ultimate resting place for the elite. Once a fashionable necropolis, it fell into disrepair after being neglected during World War II. The cemetery transformed into a haunting, desolate landscape, with withered trees and creeping ivy. Its eerie atmosphere gave rise to numerous ghostly tales, likely fueled by the unsettling characters said to inhabit the grounds. Among the reported apparitions are a vampire, a top-hatted gentleman, a cloaked figure, and a gaunt, elderly woman. Visitors might even hear the faint tolling of bells from the abandoned chapel. Fortunately, The Friends of Highgate Cemetery are working diligently to restore this historic site to its former glory.
8. National Theater Washington D.C., United States
This iconic theater, situated just a short distance from the White House, was established in 1835 by William Corcoran and other notable residents of the city. Over the years, it has hosted legendary performers such as Sir Ian McKellan, James Earl Jones, Kevin Spacey, Sting, and Tim Curry, and even welcomed Winston Churchill for a speech. However, its eerie reputation stems from a tragic incident involving actor John McCullough, a prominent figure in the 1800s. While touring with his troupe, McCullough and a fellow actor engaged in a heated argument beneath the stage, where the Tiber Creek once flowed. The dispute, possibly over an actress or a coveted role, ended in gunfire, leaving McCullough dead. His body was reportedly buried beneath the stage, and his ghost has been sighted numerous times since, adding to the theater's haunted legacy.
7. The Princess Theatre Melbourne, Australia
Built in 1854 by George Coppin, an actor and theater manager, the Princess Theatre became the site of a tragic event on March 3rd, 1888. Frederick Baker, known as Federici, was performing as Mephistopheles in the opera Faust. During a climactic scene where his character descends into Hell via a trapdoor, Federici suffered a fatal heart attack. The cast was informed of his death after the performance, but confusion arose when they claimed to have seen him taking his final bows onstage. To this day, a ghostly figure believed to be Federici is occasionally spotted onstage, even appearing during the filming of a documentary.
6. St. Andrew’s Castle Scotland
This Scottish fortress has stood in various forms since the 12th century. It endured numerous battles and was demolished by the Scots in 1337 to keep it out of English hands. By the late 14th century, Bishop Walter Trail commissioned its reconstruction. While the castle has hosted many historical figures, its true intrigue lies in its spectral inhabitants. The White Lady is often seen wandering the castle grounds or the nearby coast. Patrick Hamilton’s ghost lingers in a tower, overlooking the site of his execution by fire. Cardinal Beaton, murdered and displayed on the battlements, is another frequent apparition, as is a veiled woman clutching a prayer book, who vanishes without a trace. For the best chance to encounter these spirits, visit during the twilight hours of October or November.
5. St. Augustine Lighthouse Florida, United States
Constructed by Spanish settlers in the 1600s, this lighthouse became an official U.S. beacon in 1824. The original structure, located a quarter-mile away, met tragedy when keeper Mr. Andreu fell to his death while painting the tower. The current lighthouse is rumored to be haunted by Dr. Ballard, who was involved in a property dispute during its construction, as well as by Mr. Andreu’s ghost. The spirits of three girls, who drowned after their handcart tumbled off a tramway, are also said to roam the grounds. Tenants of the Keeper’s House reported eerie noises and sightings of a young girl, prompting one keeper in the 1950s to swap living quarters with a Coast Guardsman. The basement is haunted by the Man in Blue, and employees of the gift shop blame poltergeist activity on a spirit named Andrew. The tower itself echoes with unexplained footsteps and voices. Visitors should tread carefully—this lighthouse may claim its next victim.
4. St. James Theater Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, is home to one of the world’s most haunted theaters, the St. James Theater, built in 1912. Visitors attending performances might encounter Yuri, a ghostly figure believed to be a Russian performer who tragically fell to his death—or was possibly pushed—from above the stage. Yuri is known for playing with the lights, often turning them back on after the theater has been locked for the night. He isn’t alone, however. The Wailing Woman, another spectral resident, roams the theater, crying and moaning after her tragic suicide in a dressing room following a poorly received performance. Additionally, the spirits of a boys’ choir, who performed their final show at the theater before disappearing during a World War II tour, are said to linger. With such a history of tragedy, it’s no wonder the St. James Theater remains a hotspot for ghostly tales.
3. Resurrection Cemetery Chicago, United States
Tales of ghostly hitchhikers are common, but none are as famous as Resurrection Mary. In 1934, sixteen-year-old Mary frequented the O’Henry Ballroom (now the Willowbrook). After a heated argument with her boyfriend on the dance floor, she left the ballroom and began walking home along Archer Avenue. As she passed Resurrection Cemetery, a car veered out of control, striking and killing her. Heartbroken, her family buried her in the cemetery where she died, still dressed in her dancing gown and shoes. This tragic tale seemed to end there—until five years later.
In 1939, Jerry Palus, another regular at the O’Henry, noticed a stunning blonde girl across the room and asked her to dance. They spent the entire night together, though she spoke little. At the end of the evening, he offered her a ride home, which she accepted. As they neared Resurrection Cemetery, she abruptly asked him to stop and let her out. She vanished at the gates. The next day, Jerry visited the address she had given him, only to be told by a woman that no such girl lived there. He recognized a photo on the mantle as the girl he had danced with. The woman revealed it was her daughter, who had died five years earlier. To this day, sightings of Mary persist. Drivers report picking her up, only for her to disappear from their cars. Some claim to have danced or even kissed her. In 1977, a man reported seeing a girl gripping the cemetery gates, screaming in terror. When police arrived, the bars were bent and charred, with what appeared to be finger marks. Despite repairs, the bars continue to warp back into their distorted state.
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2. Monte Cristo Homestead New South Wales, Australia
To earn the title of Australia’s most haunted house, the Monte Cristo Homestead must be extraordinary—and it is. Built in 1885 by Christopher William Crawley, the house remained in the family until 1948 and stood vacant until 1963. Today, it operates as a museum where visitors can encounter its seven reported spirits. Mrs. Crawley is said to wander the chapel where she spent much of her time after her husband’s death. A woman in vintage attire haunts the verandah, believed to be a maid who fell to her death from the balcony. Bloodstains on the stairs below were bleached away, leaving discolored patches. The second floor alone is linked to at least three deaths, including Mr. Crawley’s fatal blood poisoning and a woman who died during childbirth. Disembodied footsteps echo on hardwood floors, despite the house being fully carpeted. Objects move on their own, and faces appear in second-story windows with no exterior supports. A stable boy, too ill to work, was burned alive when his employer set his bed on fire. Another tragic figure, a mentally challenged man, was shackled for 40 years before being sent to an asylum. In 1961, a caretaker was murdered by a man inspired by the film *Psycho*, who carved “DIE JACK HA HA” into a door—an inscription that remains to this day.
1. Joelma Building Sao Paulo, Brazil
Sometimes, the ghostly legends of a place are overshadowed by its tragic history. On February 1st, 1974, at 8:50 a.m., an air conditioning unit in the Joelma Building overheated, sparking a devastating fire. The high-rise was a fire hazard, with flammable desks, chairs, curtains, and ceilings. It had only one stairwell, no fire alarms, emergency lights, exits, or sprinkler system. Inside were 756 people.
The fire blocked the stairwell above the 11th floor. Firefighters, defying protocol, used elevators to evacuate occupants. Around 170 people reached the roof, hoping for helicopter rescue, but thick smoke made aerial efforts impossible. Eighty of them survived by hiding under roof tiles. Forty others jumped or fell to their deaths. By 10:30 a.m., the fire had burned out, leaving 179 dead. After four years of reconstruction, the building was renamed Praca de Bandeira. Today, it is said to be haunted by the souls lost in the flames.
