Haunted Architecture: A Halloween Feature
Can a building or a home be haunted? In this Halloween feature, we’re going to show you some of the world’s most haunted architecture with stories and history that you wouldn’t even believe.
Poveglia Island (Venice, Italy)
Source: Travel Channel
To start our list, let’s take a trip to Venice, Italy. This “City of Canals” is highly regarded for its beautiful waterways, romantic gondola rides, and exquisite clay masks. It has been a tourist must-see for years. However, not far away is Poveglia Island.
This scenic island sits in the South Lagoon and for centuries, has been a place for discarded and banished individuals who were dying or diseased in both the mid-fourteenth century with the Bubonic Plague and later in the seventeenth-century during the Black Death. Those who were near death or dead were burnt at pyres.
Later, in the late nineteenth century, the island was populated by the mentally ill in the Poveglia asylum. Stories circulated that physicians were conducting experiments on their patients instead of rehabilitating them. One rumor stated that a doctor went mad from his work and threw himself off the asylum’s bell tower (which was later removed). Locals claim they can still hear the ringing of the bell tower. Others have tried to rehabilitate the island but failed.
Source: World History Organization
Himeji Castle (White Heron), Japan
Himeji Castle stands as one of the most predominant and well-preserved examples of seventeenth-century Japanese castle architecture (Medieval castle architecture). Today, it is a hotspot for travelers and tourists. This beautiful castle also has a dark side.
This castle was initially built for war. According to legends, it is protected by its magic ceramic tiles that create a military maze to confuse any attackers or invaders. Himeji Castle is said to be haunted by ghosts seeking vengeance.
Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa
The Castle of Good Hope a city landmark and one of the oldest colonial buildings built in 1666. However, with such rich history, it is also regarded as one of the most haunted and scary architecture landmarks in South Africa.
Like many castles, the Castle of Good Hope was built as a military fortress and home of the Governor by the Dutch East India Company. It eventually became a jail and was nicknamed “Donker Gat” or “Dark Hole” as it lacked windows, often flooded with water, and was used for torture. One of the most notable ghost stories is the tale of General Pieter Gysbert van Noodt who was held responsible for unjustly sentencing seven soldiers to death at the gallows. Just before their execution, one of the prisoners cursed the General who several hours later died. Many claim sightings of van Noodt.
Source: Castle of Good Hope
Source: https://www.veenaworld.com/
Bhangarh Fort, India
Positioned in Rundh Bhangarh lies a haunted architectural fort originally built by Kachwaha, ruler of Amba, Raja Bhagwant Sigh in the sixteenth century AD.
The story of this fort’s haunting is a well-known local tale. According to the locals, a princess Ratnavati, the daughter of Chatr Singh was the prized position of Rajasthan used to live in the fort with her stepbrother Ajab Singh. She was so beautiful that a black-majic tantrik priest fell in love with her. In fear that his affections would be ill-received, he cast a spell on her. The princess found out and killed him. In turn, he cursed the princess, her family, and their village. As a result, they lost the battle to Bhangarh and the princess and her army died. Legend says that the curse condemned the village and its fort. Many believe it is haunted by ghosts and anything built inside will be destroyed.