BOO! In honor of spooky season—and my travel-loving self—we’re going to be talking about some of the spookiest places you can go visit around the world. I haven’t been to any of these places myself, so all my information is second-hand. And, even just through my research, I don’t know that I would want to. You have been warned.
Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan, India
Bhangarh Fort was built around the 16th or 17th century by a local royal Raja Bhagwant Das for his son, Madho Singh. Back in the day, Bhangarh was a thriving place with beautiful structures and temples—many of these buildings are still intact for anyone looking to visit without looking to be spooked.
There are many legends surrounding why the fort may have been abandoned and why it carries such a dark reputation today. The most popular one I’ve read is about Princess Ratnavati of Bhangarh and a dark magician who was so madly in love with her that he concocted a magic potion that would make her love him as much back. However, the princess averted his advances, threw the potion into a boulder, which then rolled down a hill and crushed the magician. Before he perished, he cast a spell on Bhangarh, which is why it’s in ruin today. Who knows for sure if this legend or one of the many others is true?
Bhangarh Fort is known as the most haunted place in all of India, but if you think you can stomach all the horrors that await for you, you can visit the fort during daylight hours only. There are many signs and word from locals that caution against visiting Bhangarh Fort at night due to the ghostly activity that has been witnessed there before. Speaking of locals, if you do visit, make sure to talk to some of them and listen to their numerous theories on the infamous area.
SOURCES: theculturetrip.com; blog.thomascook.in
The Sorrel-Weed House, Savannah, Georgia, United States
This one is a lot closer to home for me—about half a day’s drive in fact. The Sorrel-Weed House was built in the mid-1800s by Francis Sorrel, a wealthy plantation owner. Years into his marriage, Francis’s wife Matilda committed suicide by jumping off of their second story balcony after she discovered an affair between her husband and a young slave girl.
Now, there are several discrepancies to this story—most notably the fact that the Sorrel family actually moved to a different house months before Matilda’s alleged suicide at the Sorrel-Weed House. Logistics aside though, many visitors of the house still claim feeling paranormal shifts throughout the area, such as panic and nausea. If you want to come down for a visit, you can make an appointment for one of their ghost tours on their website.
Savannah is often called “The Most Haunted City in the United States,” which means there’s plenty more scares to be had here—including the Kehoe House, the Bonaventure Cemetery, and the Marshall House. Consider adding some paranormal stops to your next trip down.
SOURCES: livescience.com; ghostsavannah.com
Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia
We’re going all the way to Oceania for our next haunted location—Port Arthur. Formally an important convict settlement, Port Arthur has seen many souls pass through since the mid-1800s—some of which reportedly have never left. Unfortunately, in more recent news, Australia’s worst massacre also occurred here in the spring of 1996. During an open shooting, more than fifty people were killed or injured. Theses lives are commemorated in a memorial garden on the property.
Due to its long tragic history, Port Arthur is popular site for ghost hunters and paranormal junkies. There’s a lot to be learned and a lot to see here, so if you’re coming to the area, consider booking a tour on their website.
SOURCES: theculturetrip.com; portarthur.org.au
Poveglia Island, Venice, Italy
Similarly to Port Arthur, the island of Poveglia just a short trip from Venice, also has a complicated history. Dating all the way back to the Bubonic Plague, Poveglia was used a quarantine zone—or more, unfortunately, accurate—a dumping ground for those infected with the disease. These people were burned and died on the island. Years later, Poveglia was converted into an insane asylum where victims were experimented upon and tortured. The doctor who performed these experiments is said to have gone mad and thrown himself off of the asylum’s bell tower.
The island had a couple of different uses before, after, and in-between the two major lives it’s had listed above. But one thing’s for sure among locals—Poveglia is one-hundred percent haunted. Visitors are prohibited from going to the island and would be very unlikely to find anyone to take them anyway—locals refuse to step foot on the island and fisherman don’t even fish near it.
SOURCES: travelchannel.com
Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa
Our last haunted house of the night is the Castle of Good Hope located in Cape Town, South Africa. Built sometime in the mid-1600s by the Dutch East India Company, the castle is famous among the paranormal community for its ghostly essence. A tall gentleman and a Lady in Grey are two of the most popular ghost sightings people claim to see here.
Spooky history aside, the Castle of Good Hope is actually a fairly popular tourist destination. It houses museums, gardens, guided tours, and even a restaurant in the front courtyard. The architecture is also beautiful; the entire building is star-shaped, which makes it appear even grander than it already is.
SOURCES: castleofgoodhope.co.za
Would you visit any of these haunted places? Have you already? Should I plan my next trip around visiting one of these haunted locations? Give me all your thoughts in the comments section down below!
This post would not be possible without all the sources I listed above, so if you want to learn more about any of these places, make sure to check out those sites. And if I got anything wrong or if you have any more information about any of these places, leave a comment down below!
ADDITIONAL SOURCES: wanderlust.co.uk; travelandleisure.com
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