13 Castles Around the World Said to Be Haunted

Castles are often imposing and magical structures found in various corners of the globe. However, the dark and eerie tales tied to their histories have given rise to numerous ghostly legends. These 13 castles are said to draw both the living and the spirits that still linger.

1. Leap Castle // Coolderry, Ireland

This 13th-century fortress is considered one of the most haunted locations in Ireland. Once the home of the O’Carrol family, it became infamous after a deadly power struggle in the 16th century. In a desperate attempt to seize control following their patriarch's death, one family member murdered his brother, a priest. Visitors today often claim to see the ghost of the priest roaming the infamous 'Bloody Chapel.'

The story takes an even darker turn. During renovations in the 1990s, workers discovered a 'hidden dungeon' beneath the chapel, containing numerous skeletons. The dungeon is believed to have had a trapdoor through which the O’Carrol family’s prisoners were dropped onto sharp spikes, meeting a gruesome end out of sight from chapelgoers.

2. Houska Castle // Blatce, Czech Republic

Houska Castle is a peculiar sight. Lacking basic features like a kitchen, it possesses one unsettling element that no other castle can claim: a vast hole in the ground believed to be a 'portal to Hell.' According to local legend, the castle was constructed over this bottomless chasm to prevent demons from emerging and wreaking havoc upon the Earth.

Before the hole was sealed, there was a time when prisoners were given the chance to earn their freedom by venturing into the abyss. After the first man was lowered into it, his horrified screams echoed. When they pulled him back up, legend claims he had aged 30 years in a matter of moments.

3. Voergaard Castle // Dronninglund, Denmark

Ingeborg Skeel, a wealthy and powerful Danish noblewoman, took residence in Voergaard Castle in 1578. Known for her ruthless nature and shrewd business acumen (though she was likely vilified for her success, as often happened to independent women of the era), legend holds that she murdered the castle’s architect to prevent him from creating a more magnificent fortress. But it’s not the ghost of the architect that haunts the castle—it’s Skeel’s own restless spirit.

Voergaard Castle is also home to some chilling features that linger in the minds of visitors. One of the dungeons within the fortress was designed so that a grown person could neither stand nor lie down inside it. To make matters worse, there are no openings for light or air.

4. Himeji Castle // Himeji, Japan

Built in 1333 and later renovated, Himeji Castle is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of 17th-century Japanese castle architecture. However, its history is tainted with darkness. According to legend, a woman named Okiku was falsely accused of either breaking or losing valuable dishes in the castle (other versions suggest she rejected a cruel samurai’s advances). As punishment, she was thrown into a well and drowned. Today, people visit the castle hoping to catch a glimpse of Okiku wandering the halls, counting dishes in a mournful loop.

5. Moosham Castle // Unternberg, Austria

During the late 1600s, Moosham Castle became the site of horrific events, with dozens of people tortured and executed after being accused of witchcraft. The supernatural claims didn’t end there. Two centuries later, after a mysterious string of cattle and deer deaths on the property, locals were accused of being werewolves and were killed. Today, visitors often report hearing strange banging sounds, seeing inexplicable footprints, and feeling a chilling presence, as though something is breathing down their neck.

6. Bran Castle // Bran, Romania

Bran Castle in Romania is often associated with Bram Stoker’s *Dracula*. Some believe that Count Dracula was inspired by Vlad III Dracula, also known as “Vlad the Impaler” for his brutal method of impaling his victims. Allegedly, some of these murders took place within the castle, which is now thought to be a hotspot for paranormal activity.

7. Casa Loma // Toronto, Canada

This castle, built in 1914, is filled with secret rooms and passages. Casa Loma has gained fame for its appearances in films and TV shows, such as *X-Men* (2000) and *Scott Pilgrim vs. the World* (2010). However, it’s not just movie stars who’ve wandered its halls.

The most common ghostly sighting is that of a woman dressed in white. However, some visitors have reported hearing the voice of an elderly man in distress, while others believe the castle’s original owners still haunt its grounds.

8. Edinburgh Castle // Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle towers over the skyline of the Scottish capital. With the entire city exuding an eerie atmosphere, it's no surprise that this fortress is home to its own collection of ghostly tales.

Legend has it that the voice of a young bagpiper, who mysteriously disappeared centuries ago, still echoes through the halls of the castle. Visitors also report sightings of figures dressed in American Revolutionary War-era clothing, as well as a ghostly dog wandering the grounds.

9. Chillingham Castle // Chillingham, England

Chillingham Castle is steeped in a grim past, complete with its own torture chamber. It is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who suffered there. One of the most frequently seen apparitions is that of the 'Blue Boy,' believed to haunt the Pink Room. The figure, dressed in blue, is often heard wailing at midnight near where, according to local legend, the skeleton of a child and pieces of blue fabric were discovered in the 1920s. Due to sightings of mysterious blue lights, the ghost is also called the 'Radiant Boy.'

10. Tower of London // London, England

England’s 12th-century Tower of London has witnessed an immense amount of death throughout its history. It's said that some of the most notable prisoners still haunt the tower. Anne Boleyn is often cited as one of the most persistent ghosts, wandering the place where she was executed. Other reports suggest that the spirits of King Henry VI, Lady Jane Grey and her husband Lord Guildford Dudley, and Margaret Pole may still linger in the fortress today.

11. Castello di Montebello // Torriana, Italy

Italy’s Castello di Montebello is among the country’s most infamous haunted sites. Local legend tells the story of a former owner, Lord Ugolinuccio, and his wife, who had a daughter named Guendolina. The child, who suffered from albinism—a condition considered a sign of the devil at the time—was kept hidden, with her mother dyeing her hair to conceal her appearance.

One legend says that one stormy evening, Guendolina was playing with a ball when it fell down the stairs. She chased after it, but vanished into thin air, never to be seen again. Many believe her ghost still haunts the castle halls to this day.

12. Eltz Castle // Wierschem, Germany

Germany’s Eltz Castle, with its fairytale-like appearance nestled in the forested hills, is a picturesque sight. However, this 12th-century stronghold has witnessed a horrific tragedy that continues to haunt its grounds. One of the most eerie locations within the castle is the bedroom of Agnes Eltz, a 16th-century inhabitant. She was murdered by a knight who sought revenge after being spurned by her. It’s said that Agnes Eltz still roams the castle’s halls and lingers in the room where she fought to protect her home.

13. Château de Blandy-les-Tours // Blandy-les-Tours, France

The Château de Blandy-Les-Tours, a remarkable landmark in the Loire Valley, is famous for its “Green Lady,” believed to be the spirit of Charlotte, the illegitimate daughter of Charles VII. Charlotte resided at the castle with her husband, Jacques de Breze, in the 15th century. Their troubled marriage ended in tragedy when de Breze killed Charlotte after discovering her affair with one of her huntsmen.