Nine Spectrally Eerie Castles Guaranteed to Send a Shiver Down Your Backbone
In the heart of Eastern Europe, two castles stand as testaments to the region's turbulent past - Bran's Castle in Romania and Moosham Castle in Austria. Each castle carries a chilling reputation, steeped in tales of brutality, supernatural occurrences, and the darker aspects of human history.
Bran's Castle, nestled in the Transylvanian wilderness, is a place of foreboding beauty. Once associated with the historical figure Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler, this castle has earned a terrifying reputation. Vlad, whose name means "dragon" in Romanian, took on the moniker Dracula, or "son of the dragon." Known for his brutal methods of torture, including impalement, Vlad the Impaler ruled Wallachia in the 15th century. It is estimated that tens of thousands of people met their end on the sharpened stakes within Bran's Castle walls.
Today, visitors to Bran's Castle claim to experience inexplicable events, such as hearing ghostly voices and footsteps. Some even believe that the castle is haunted by the ghosts of those who were tortured there. The castle's haunting reputation is further enhanced by its location in the rugged mountains of Romania.
On the other side of Europe, Moosham Castle in Unternberg, Austria, has its own dark history. First documented in 1191, the castle was named after the Moosheim family who inherited it in the 13th century. Moosham Castle was involved in the European witch hunts, particularly the Salzburg Witch Trials in the 17th century. During this period, hundreds of people, mostly women, were accused of witchcraft, imprisoned, tortured, and executed. Some victims had their hands cut off and brandished with iron stamps before execution, a practice that adds to the chilling tales surrounding the castle.
Rumors of werewolves, half-man, half-beast creatures, roaming near Moosham Castle have persisted for centuries. These tales are allegedly supported by the inexplicable slaughter of deer and cattle in the 1800s. Despite these stories, the castle stands as a reminder of a dark chapter in European history.
Both Bran's Castle and Moosham Castle serve as reminders of the past, their haunting reputations a testament to the brutal methods and supernatural tales that have shaped Europe's history. Despite their dark histories, these castles continue to draw visitors who seek a glimpse into the past and a taste of the supernatural.
