Nikole Stewart
We’ve talked about haunted locations and haunted houses, but what about haunted castles with some chilling backstories? These spots are known for their creepy stories and terrifying sightings, and they’re also known for their extravagant history. If you want to explore some of the most haunted castles in the world, then you need to dive into the top five listings below.
5. Chillingham Castle, England
Chillingham Castle is a 13th-century fortress in Northumberland near the Scottish border, and is widely known as Britain’s most haunted castle. Its past is filled with warfare, torture, and executions, adding to its chilling backstory of hauntings and legends. A few prominent ghosts in the castle include the Blue Boy, a sobbing child whose bones were found bricked in a wall, and Lady Mary, who rustles through corridors in search of her husband.
4. Himeji Castle, Japan
Another one of the most haunted castles in the world is the Himeji Castle in Japan, also the largest and most iconic castle in the area, known for its eerie reputation. Built in the 13th-century as well, the site has survived wars, natural disasters, and even a WWII bombing. One of the most famous hauntings is tied to Okiku’s Well, where the legend says Okiku, a servant, was thrown into it after being tortured and executed for being accused of losing a ceremonial plate.
3. Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Perched on Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle in Scotland is one of the most haunted castles with chilling backstories. The site dates back to the Iron Age, and by 1093, it was known as the Castle of the Maidens, linked to legends of virgin princesses or Saint Moninne’s nuns.
There are a few notable legends that result in hauntings, including The Lost Piper Boy, who was a young Piper Corps member sent through a narrow tunnel to explore the underground passageways. His bagpipes were heard until they stopped, and he was never seen again until his skeleton was later found in a sealed chamber. Another one is The Black Dinner, where two young boys were invited to dine with the king, but then were executed after a black bull’s head was placed on the table.
2. Leap Castle, Ireland
Leap Castle in Ireland is located in County Offaly, and is regarded as one of the most haunted castles in the world due to its 700 years of turbulent history and history of ghost sightings. A few of these sightings include The Bloody Chapel, a legend that says in the 1500s, an O’Carroll brother murdered his priestly brother in front of the congregation while mass was being said.
Along with that, the Red Lady is a spectral figure said to have been imprisoned, assaulted, and murdered by the O’Carrolls, often seen holding a dagger. And lately, the Elemental, a tall, guant, shadowy figure described by author Mildred Dill, is often encountered in the gallery.
1. Bran Castle, Romania
And last, but certainly not least on the list of the most haunted castles in the world is Bran Castle, Romania, which is often marketed as Dracula’s Castle, as it has become a symbol of Transylvania’s Gothic legends. The castle was a defensive stronghold guarding the Törzburg Pass between Transylvania and Wallachia.
And while it’s become Dracula’s Castle, simply due to its style, it has remarkable legends and hauntings, including The White lady, a noblewoman’s spirit dressed in white, said to wander the halls and courtyards. The Mysterious Monk was bricked up alive, and now haunts the chapel and corridors, said to be whispering. There are also a lot of accounts of children laughing during a massacre during a siege.