The unknown has always
fascinated the human mind. We all have grown up hearing stories of witches and
ghosts, myths and legends and haunted forts and houses. There are many places
in the world which have been touted as haunted or possessed by ghosts. These
places have drawn attention of the public due to the notorious activities that
many swear to have seen happening. We list down the Top 10 most haunted places
around the world below.
1. Eastern State
Penitentiary, Pennsylvania, United States
Built in 1829, Eastern
State Penitentiary was one of its kind prisons in United States. The prison introduced
the solitary confinement system, in which prisoners were kept completely
isolated; living alone, eating alone and even exercising alone. This harsh
approach drove many prisoners to insanity after which the place was operated as
a regular prison. However, instances of paranormal activities; such as shadowy
figures roaming in the hallways and ghostly crying sounds heard inside the
cells, started surfacing in the 1940’s. The prison was finally abandoned in
1971.
2. Monte Cristo Homestead,
New South Wales, Australia
This historic property is
considered as one of the most haunted locations in Australia. The house has
seen many tragic deaths since it was built in 1885; a young child falling down
the stairs, a maid dropping off from the balcony, a stable boy burned alive and
a caretaker found murdered at the property. The occurrence of many deaths at
the property earned it a reputation of being haunted or evil. The house was
abandoned in 1948.
3. Castle Of Good Hope, Cape
Town, South Africa
Built in the 17th century,
the castle is country’s oldest colonial building. Many paranormal activities
have been reported by people since 1915. The apparition of a tall man jumping
off the castle walls, a woman running through the castle holding her face in
hands and crying hysterically, the castle bell striking off its own accord and ghost
of a black dog pouncing on visitors and then simply vanishing into thin air;
are some of the most famous paranormal occurrences witnessed by people.
4. The Tower Of London, England
Built in 1078, the Tower
of London has served a major role in the history of England. The tower has been
famous for many ghost sightings over the years. The most famous one is of Anne
Boleyn-the wife of King Henry VIII. She was beheaded in 1536 and her headless
body has been seen walking in the corridors of the tower. Another famous
sighting is of Lady Jane Grey, who is often spotted at a window, waving to her children
on the other side of the building. One of the most spine chilling ghost
sightings at the tower has been that of two children wearing nightgowns and
holding hands, with a look of terror on their face. The children are believed
to be ghosts of two princes who were apparently murdered by their uncle. Two small
skeletons were also found beneath a staircase in the tower.
5. Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan,
India
Undoubtedly, the most
famous haunted location in India, Bhangarh is an abandoned village which is known
to witness paranormal activities after the turn of dusk. No one is allowed
within the fort premises once the night falls. Many people have reported
strange noises and energies within the area and people who have stayed the
night at the haunted fort in the past, have reportedly gone mad.
6. Poveglia Island, Italy
Inhabited since 421, the
island was completely abandoned after the Bubonic Plague outbreak in the 14th
century. The dead infected bodies of people were burned on giant pyres. The
ghosts of the victims of the disease are said to haunt the island. Today,
locals do not dare step foot on the island for fear of being cursed. Even
fishermen refuse to fish in the area for fear of dragging up human remains. Voices
and screams are often heard on the island with a dark and evil energy felt in
the air.
7. Vas Villa, St. Marks road,
Bangalore
Harboring the tales of a
tragic and violent past, this place is in ruins and is believed to be haunted
by the ghost of a girl who used to live here and one day was gruesomely killed
by an unknown assailant within the villa. Her ghost is seen lingering in the
hallways by many people. Multiple paranormal experts have confirmed the
presence of negative energy in the house.
8. Kuldhara
Village, Rajasthan
The
village of Kuldhara near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan has earned the reputation of a
ghost village that has been abandoned since 1800s. It is believed that the
village carries a curse of the villagers who abandoned it overnight due to the
unfairness of royal family. Nobody knows where the villagers went, they simply
vanished. Today, the village is in ruins as it was never inhabited again due to
the curse of the villagers.
9. Shaniwarwada Fort, Pune
Known for its
architectural brilliance and historic relevance, the Shaniwarwada Fort is also
famous amongst locals as a haunted location. It is believed that the paranormal
activity within the fort is on its peak on every full moon night. People have
heard terrorizing screams in the fort premises. It is believed the screams come
from the ghost of a young prince who was brutally murdered by his Uncle ages
ago. The fort is deserted at night and no one is allowed to stay post
dark.
(Compiled by Kapil Goswamy, CMD, BigBreaks)