1>Beaumaris Castle, Wales
One of the world´s greatest examples of symmetrical concentric planning, the Beaumaris Castle is a haunted medieval castle in north Wales. Built in 1330, the castle is said to be home to strange echoes of chanting which have been caught on audio recording equipment by visitors to the small chapel area. The feeling of being watched has also been felt in the long dark corridors and an over-all sense of creepy loneliness can be felt there.
2>Erasmus Castle, South Africa
Also known as “Die Spookhuis” or “The Haunted House”, the Erasmus Castle is a large mansion famous for frequent ghost sightings and supernatural encounters. These days, the castle is open for public tours and cultural gatherings, which is why so many people have witnessed various paranormal activities at the castle such as lit windows in the uninhabited parts of the building, unexplainable human sounds etc.
3>Franklin Castle, Ohio
Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Franklin Castle has a particularly gloomy reputation, ranking among the most haunted places in the US. The castle features many hidden passages and rooms, including a trap door that lead to a tunnel that goes nowhere, and, more infamously, a room in which dozens of human baby skeletons were found. Surrounded by several other tragic stories, the castle is thought to be haunted by children ghosts.
4>Charleville Castle, Ireland
A Gothic-style castle located in Ireland, the Charleville Castle is one the most haunted castles in the country. Alleged to be haunted by the third Earl of Charleville’s daughter Harriet, the castle was featured in several paranormal reality TV series such as Scariest Places on Earth, Most Haunted, and Ghost Hunters International. Harriet is believed to have haunted the place since 1861 when she died after falling from the staircase at the age of eight.
5>Akershus Castle, Norway
Built in the 13th century to protect Norway´s capital Oslo, the Akershus Castle is regarded as the scariest place in the country. In more recent history, the castle served as a prison here many prisoners died and it was also where the Nazis executed masses of people during the WWII. With such a bleak history, it comes as no surprise that the castle is believed to be haunted by numerous ghosts, even including the ghost of a dog who was supposed to guard the castle gate.
6>Himeji Castle, Japan
One of the greatest examples of Japanese castle architecture, the Himeji Castle in the Hyogo Prefecture has been a site of some eerie events and unexplainable occurrences. In fact, it is the castle´s well that has allegedly witnessed the most haunting as it is thought to host the ghost of Okiku, a mythical character from ancient Japanese legends. The ghost is supposed to rise from the well at night and count to nine before shrieking and returning to the well.
7>Ballygally Castle, Northern Ireland
Built in 1625, the Ballygally Castle is one of the most haunted places in Northern Ireland. Now serving as a hotel, the castle is reputed to host a number of ghosts, the most active of which is the former resident, Madam Nixon, who has been allegedly haunting the castle since her death in the 18th century. She roams the passages at night dressed in a silk dress. Her fleeting appearances have recently been confined to a room in a corner turret.
8>Rocky Hill Castle, Alabama
Built as a plantation house between Town Creek and Courtland, Alabama, the Rocky Hill Castle was surrounded by numerous ghost stories and folklore legends. Before it was demolished in 1960s, the castle was purported to be haunted by the spirit of a Lady in Blue, ghosts of Civil War soldiers, and the ghosts of tortured slaves. Prior to its destruction, it was also alleged that knocking and banging of unknown origin often occurred in the house.
9>Arundel Castle, England
Arundel Castle is a restored and remodeled medieval castle in Arundel, West Sussex, England, originally built in the 11th century. The castle is considered to be haunted by numerous ghosts but it is the ghost of the first Earl of Arundel whose apparitions are reported most often. Other spirits residing at the castle are those of a young woman who jumped to her death and a Blue Man who has been often seen in the library.
10>Houska Castle, Czech Republic
Located just outside Prague, the Houska Castle is one of the most haunted and mysterious sites in Europe. As the castle lacks any fortifications, it was not built to repel any attacks or as a seat of a ruler. The legend has it the castle was built over a large hole that was supposed to be the gateway to hell from which horrifying half-human and half-animal creatures came out. By building the castle over the hole, locals were able to keep the demons trapped inside.
