Kellie’s Castle | Batu Gajah, Malaysia
Located in Batu Gajah in Perak, Malaysia is an abandoned castle built by a Scottish planter named William Kellie Smith. When Smith passed away at the age of 56, his devastated wife moved back to Scotland, leaving the castle incomplete. His spirit is said to have remained in the building, with many visitors reporting sightings of the planter.
WWII saw the ruins being used as execution grounds by Japanese soldiers, further cementing its notoriety for being haunted. It is a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike but will require a significant amount of investment money if the construction were to be completed.
Casa de la Poesia | Bogota, Colombia
Known locally as the Silva Poetry House, Casa de la Poesia once belonged to famed poet Jose Asuncion Silva. He is given credit for pioneering Spanish-American modernism in poetry. His work is greatly revered, but many of it was lost in a shipwreck. This contributed to his mental decline, which was worsened by his sister’s passing. The poet eventually took his own life and died in this house.
Today, it stands as a library and museum. It has also been declared a National Monument. Despite this, many people continued to report hearing sounds of whispers and moaning coming from within its walls.
Charleville Castle | County Offaly, Ireland
Would you want to spend a night in one of the most haunted places in Europe? Charleville Castle has been featured numerous times in various paranormal investigation shows, with many claiming that the activity in the property is overwhelming. Even today, reports of classical music and disembodied voice being heart throughout the castle is commonplace.
Charleville was built back in 1798 and is reportedly situated upon ancient land. Its last owner, Charles Bury, passed in 1963 after “suddenly dropping dead”. If you’re looking to visit the castle in the future, make sure you do so with a degree of respect and caution.
Hill of Crosses | Lithuania
Over the course of two centuries, thousands of religious iconography have been placed on this mysterious hillside in Lithuania. A daytime trip to this location is certainly worth the investment money. Though it might seem strange in nature, the crosses are truly a sight to behold.
At night, however, those narrow paths between flanks of crosses begin to appear more unwelcoming. History says that the first ones were meant to memorialize the fallen rebels who fought against Russian authorities. Their bodies were never recovered, so the crosses stood in their place instead. There are those who believe that their wandering souls still haunt this hill.
Čachtice Castle | Čachtice, Slovakia
Standing ominously and overlooking a hillside is the Čachtice Castle. It was first built in the mid-13th century and is located in a small village in Slovakia. The castle is best known for having served as the residence, and eventual prison, of the infamous Countess Elizabeth Bathory. One of the most prolific female serial killers in the world.
The number of her victims remains a mystery, though it is speculated to be in the thousands. Despite its bloody history, the ruins do maintain a somber beauty. With a bit of money management, you can visit the site and see its splendor for yourself.
Poveglia Island | Venice, Italy
Most people travel to Venice, Italy for the romantic sights and experiences they can enjoy with their loved ones. Some even take out personal loans, just to make the trip. However, there is a darker side to this beautiful city that many do not even know about. Meet the island of Poveglia, once used as the quarantine facility for people suffering from the plague.
It was also once the location of a mental hospital, where many patients were reported to have perished. Visits to the island have since been prohibited, but you can rent a boat in order to see it up close.
Paris Catacombs | France
Many horror movies give credit to this place as their primary inspiration. Resting underneath Paris’ busy streets lies the catacombs, home to the remains of over six million people. Despite its massive size, did you know that the ossuary remained forgotten for a length of time before it became a “trendy” place to hold private events in?
Today, it is open to public visits—which is where reports of various hauntings stem from. Visitors have spoken about feeling hands on their shoulders and hearing disembodied voices. Should you visit, do treat it as a sacred place and not just another tourist destination.
Port Arthur | Tasmania, Australia
It has been 140 years since the Port Arthur penal colony was shut down, but it doesn’t really change its 44-year history of slavery and brutality. Many who were sent here did not manage to make it out alive. This is the very reason why locals believe the location to be haunted. Some visitors to Port Arthur reported becoming overwhelmed with emotions out of the blue. From sadness to extreme anger. All signs of emotional hauntings.
Its history is an unsettling one, but it also deserves to be known. If you can afford to visit, Port Arthur is certainly worth the investment money.
The Island of the Dolls | Xochimilco, Mexico City
Known locally as La Isla de las Muñecas, the chinampa is filled with dolls of different sizes and varieties hung up on trees or left upon makeshift altars. Originally owned by Julian Santana Barrera, he began putting up the dolls to help ward off evil spirits. Legend has it that he was haunted by a young woman whose body was found along the maze-like canals of Xochimilco.
The trip begins fairly benign, but visitors were either charmed or terrified upon arriving at the island. If you’re looking for a unique experience and can afford the trip on credit, it is highly recommended.
Aokigahara Forest aka Sea of Trees | Japan
The forest’s reputation is more tragic than terrifying, but it hasn’t stopped the curious from seeing it for themselves. Parts of the forest can become very dense, which has led many to become lost in its depths. Did you know that even at noon, there’s hardly any bright spots within the Aokigahara?
There are also locals who avoid entering the forest. In Japanese mythology, they believe that it is home to demons or the yūrei—souls seeking revenge. Tourists are welcome to visit, just make sure you do so with a degree of respect for those who lost their lives within it.