Famous Historical Sites You Didn’t Know Were Haunted

, , Leave a comment

Most sites of historical importance ‘ especially in Europe and the original 13 US states ‘ have a ghost story or two to tell. Everybody knows the tale of Catherine Howard’s ghost seen running along the corridors of Hampton Court Palace. Most people know of the haunted houses of New England. However, a lot of famous sites don’t advertise this because perhaps the ghost stories are not that interesting; and some lesser-known historical sites are a wealth of supernatural tales to regale the visitors with. Here is a list of some of the most interesting from around the world.

1. Forbidden City, China

Forbidden City, China
Forbidden City, China

It is the face of tourism in modern China, located in the heart of Beijing it was once the Imperial palace of all dynasties from the Ming to the Qing. Today it is home to the national museum. Many visitors have reported seeing groups of ladies-in-waiting where still others claim to have witnessed the random appearances of eunuchs. The most shocking tale came in 1995 when a group of guards claimed to see a woman in a forbidden area. They chased her down an alley and when confronting her there she turned around to reveal that she had no face.

2. Würzburg Abbey, Germany

Würzburg Abbey, Germany
Würzburg Abbey, Germany

This dissolved abbey in the town of the same name is said to be haunted by the spirit of a nun that was a resident of the building that belonged to the Praemonstratensian Order. It is believed that the spirit of Maria Renata Von Mossau, a nun while lived form the late 17th to the mid 18th century, haunts the place. She was accused of all manner of witchcraft and was executed for heresy after a number of people experienced convulsions. Her spirit is said to walk along the site dropping rose petals as she goes.

3. Box Tunnel, England

Box Tunnel, England
Box Tunnel, England

The most famous railway tunnel in the country, constructed and opened during the height of fame of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and his GWR (Great Western Railway), is nearly two miles in length and is reported to have experienced several ghostly events. The first is of a woman dressed in a Victorian nightgown. Railway workers in 2011 heard unearthly shrieks and spotted her standing above the eastern entrance. For at least a century, railway workers have heard phantom steam trains moving through the tunnel too.

4. L’Anse Aux Meadows, Canada

L'Anse Aux Meadows, Canada
L’Anse Aux Meadows, Canada

It is one of the most important sites in North America demonstrating that the Vikings did in fact visit the continent, albeit a small area and very briefly, the site has been explored by archaeologists for decades. Little remains of the settlement above ground and Canadian authorities have recreated the settlement as it may have looked. This activity though seems to have attracted former settlers of the site. It is said that a ghost of a Viking Longboat has been seen on the shore and sweeping silently along the waters on misty evenings.

5. Giza Pyramids, Egypt

Giza Pyramids, Egypt
Giza Pyramids, Egypt

The most identifiable historical site on the planet is this collection of pyramids on the Giza plateau. Dating to some 4000 years old, there are three large pyramids on the sites, three smaller pyramids, The Sphinx and a nearby worker’s village. Yet few people are aware that the Ghost of Howard Carter is said to haunt the area. A man dressed in Edwardian clothing is often seen around the site. Carter was a famous Egyptologist of his time and famous for the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb at Valley of the Kings several hundred miles to the south.

6. Château de Versailles, France

Château de Versailles, France
Château de Versailles, France

The most famous palace that was home to the ill-dated final monarch of France, Louis XVI, is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. It is also supposedly home to the spirit of the decapitated wife of the king ‘ Marie Antoinette. She has been seen wandering the corridors of the great palace. Numerous orbs have appeared in photographs taken by tourists too. Most bizarrely, some have reported seeing a shimmering image of the gardens that are different from what it looks like today.

7. Castillio De San Marcos, Florida, USA

Castillio De San Marcos, Florida, USA
Castillio De San Marcos, Florida, USA

The oldest masonry fort in continental North America is famous for being one of colonial Spain’s most celebrated forts. Built in 1672, it is in very good condition today despite being subject to several sieges by English / British forces during its early years. It was occupied by Union and then Confederate forces during the Civil War but changed hands twice without a fight. It is said to be haunted by the spirits of Spanish soldiers

8. Frangokastello Castle, Greece

Frangokastello Castle, Greece
Frangokastello Castle, Greece

This small castle in mainland Greece is said to be the scene of a ghost battle dating back to the Greek War of Independence against the Turks. Many witnesses have said that they have seen a group of shadowy black figures move from the monastery toward the castle. It is believed that the spirits are the remnants of a famous battle that took place there, the Greek faction led by Hatzimichalis Dalianis who died in battle in 1828. The phenomenon is called ‘Drosoulites’ and it is said to be so vivid that Nazi soldiers who experienced them during WWII opened fire at the figures.

9. Treasurer’s House, York, England

Treasurer's House, York, England
Treasurer’s House, York, England

Though the building itself is much later, this small tourist site in the centre of one of England’s most famous historical cities has been home to the spirits of Roman legionaries. They have been seen many times in the basement of the house walking at knee level. Nobody could understand this phenomena until the basement of the building was excavated and archaeologists found the remains of the old Roman road leading into the city. York was an important city to the Romans as it was to the Vikings later on.

10. The White House, Washington DC, USA

 The White House, Washington DC, USA
The White House, Washington DC, USA

Most surprising is this entry which is the most famous house in the world. The official residence of the standing President, it is said to have the spirit of one departed president in particular. Abraham Lincoln who was assassinated in 1865 is said to wonder the corridors of power, leaving witnesses with a warm feeling. Witnesses to his appearance include Harry Truman, FD Roosevelt and even Winston Churchill.

Conclusion

Sceptics might say that ghost stories are often made up to draw in the tourists and though this might be true of some smaller places that rely on the extra revenue, the biggest sites are attractions in themselves and don’t need colourful and fanciful stories. Many have tried and failed to explain apparitions and ghostly goings-on as natural phenomena. Perhaps one day we might discover what these images really are. Ghost stories though exist in every culture and are not going to go away.

Tea Time Quiz

[forminator_poll id="23176"]
 

Leave a Reply