Seven Spectrally Shrouded Castles Guaranteed to Give You a Delightful Tinge of Fear
In the heart of Eastern Europe, two foreboding white castles stand tall, each with a history as intriguing as the tales spun around them. Bran's Castle, nestled in the Transylvanian wilderness of Romania, and Moosham Castle, perched atop a hill in Unternberg, Austria, have captivated the imagination for centuries.
Bran's Castle, famously associated with the historical figure Vlad the Impaler, served as a residence for this 15th-century ruler of Wallachia. Known for his brutal methods of torture, including the infamous impalement, Vlad is believed to have overseen tens of thousands of such executions within the castle's walls. Today, it is said that the souls of his victims continue to haunt the castle's hallways, with ghostly voices and footsteps reported by visitors and staff.
Despite his violent reputation, Vlad the Impaler was not without merit. He was favoured by Pope Pius II and is hailed as a national hero of Romania for his iron-fisted rule, which helped protect the region during times of war. The person who inhabited Bran's Castle in the 15th century and is connected with the real Dracula was none other than Vlad III. It is believed that he inspired the Dracula legend.
On the other side of Europe, Moosham Castle has its own dark history marked by violence, witch hunts, and allegations of supernatural activity. The castle was involved in the European witch hunts, particularly the Salzburg Witch Trials in the 17th century, during which hundreds of people, mostly women, were accused of witchcraft, imprisoned, tortured, and executed.
During this period, the castle was also the site of gruesome acts, such as the inexplicable slaughter of deer and cattle found around the castle, which were allegedly evidence of werewolf activity. Rumours of half-man, half-beast creatures roaming near the castle were reported in the 1800s, further fuelling the werewolf legends associated with Moosham Castle.
The castle's dark past is also marked by the Salzburg Witch Trials, during which some victims had their hands cut off and brandished with iron stamps before being executed. This grim history has left an indelible mark on Moosham Castle, making it a chilling reminder of a darker time in history.
Both Bran's Castle and Moosham Castle stand as testaments to a time long past, their dark histories shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Whether you believe in ghosts or supernatural activity, there is no denying the allure of these two foreboding castles.
