Supernatural experiences: the 9 most legendary places in the world

Marion Fernandez
The Ancient Ram Inn near Wotton-Under-Edge - Author: B R Marshall - CC BY-SA 2.0
The Ancient Ram Inn near Wotton-Under-Edge - Author: B R Marshall - CC BY-SA 2.0

Sometimes, traveling means relaxation while at other times it may mean a lot of activity. But once in a while, it can be thrilling, even a little bit scary.

If you are looking to go on a spooky adventure, we have a list of the most supernatural destinations in the world.

1. Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh, Scotland

A haunted castle sounds almost cliche, but it would take a brave soul to enter these doors
A haunted castle sounds almost cliche, but it would take a brave soul to enter these doors

Tourists commonly associate Edinburgh with its castle, kilts, and cannons, but it was also the location of a terrible plague in the 1600s, and reports of unrestful spirits started at that time.

Mary King’s Close, under the Royal Mile, was closed off in the 18th century, but the hauntings of the close have been consistently reported ever since.

The scientific explanation is that visitors may be seeing biogas from a nearby polluted marsh causing eerie lights or even hallucinations. Whatever the actual case, the area is still very creepy.

2. Raynham Hall, Norfolk, England

Raynham Hall viewed straight up the avenue – Author: Nigel Jones – CC BY-SA 2.0
Raynham Hall viewed straight up the avenue – Author: Nigel Jones – CC BY-SA 2.0

From the outside, Raynham Hall looks like a picturesque country home, but on the inside there may be more going on than its appearance would have you believe.

The home belonged to the Townshend family for 400 years, but became well known due to a frequently seen apparition called “The Brown Lady,” thought to be the ghost of Lady Dorothy Walpole.

Lady Walpole was rumored to have been treated poorly by her husband, Charles Townshend, who had a violent temper. She was also rumored to have had an affair with Lord Wharton.

Whether she was the prisoner of the jealous Countess Wharton or her own husband, it is clear that Lady Walpole was not treated well. It is assumed that because of this, her spirit has been unable to find peace and hangs out around the estate.

3. Poveglia Island, Venice, Italy

Poveglia – a closeup of the hospital – Author: Chris 73 – CC BY-SA 3.0
Poveglia – a closeup of the hospital – Author: Chris 73 – CC BY-SA 3.0

Going to Venice is thought to be one of the most romantic trips that you can take. But not far from the city is the lovely island of Poveglia.

Sadly, the island was riddled with the plague at the end of the 18th century and became a location for quarantining the infected.

Then, in the 20th century, the island was used as a place to house the mentally ill.

Reports state that a doctor used the remoteness of the island to carry out experimental lobotomies, but the doctor later committed suicide, claiming that he was being tormented by ghosts. Modern ghost hunters say that the island is a hotbed for paranormal activity.

4. Ancient Ram Inn, Wotton-under-Edge, England

The Ancient Ram Inn near Wotton-Under-Edge – Author: B R Marshall – CC BY-SA 2.0
The Ancient Ram Inn near Wotton-Under-Edge – Author: B R Marshall – CC BY-SA 2.0

This inn is a quaint tourist spot that dates back to the 12th century.

It is one of the oldest inns in the world that is still trading. The inn is also reported to be haunted by no less than 20 ghosts, including pagan priestesses and several children.

The explanation is that it is the site of an ancient burial ground.

The Ghost Club, which is the oldest paranormal research group in the world, stated they did not detect anything unusual from the inn, but if nothing else, it is amazing that you can sit and have a drink in an inn built in 1145.

5. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Prison is not a happy place so no surprise it is haunted
Prison is not a happy place so no surprise it is haunted

Built in 1829, the Eastern State Penitentiary was the first prison to have a solitary confinement cell.

They used it as an actual form of rehabilitation rather than a punishment, going so far as to put hoods over prisoners’ heads so they could not see anyone else.

Because of this, many patients were driven to insanity and the concept was abandoned in 1913. Since the 1940s, there have been reports of shadowy figures, cackling, strange noises, and ghostly faces. The prison is currently abandoned.

6. Monte Cristo Homestead, Junee, New South Wales, Australia

Monte Cristo Homestead in Junee, New South Wales – Author: Bidgee – CC BY-SA 3.0
Monte Cristo Homestead in Junee, New South Wales – Author: Bidgee – CC BY-SA 3.0

The Monte Cristo Homestead is a historic estate built in 1885. The house was prone to accidental deaths, from small children being dropped down the stairs to maids falling from balconies.

There was also a man chained in the caretaker’s cottage for 40 years until he was discovered curled up next to his mother’s body and transferred to a mental institution.

Because of the bad luck that surrounds the estate, it is thought to be a place of extreme paranormal activity.

7. Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa

Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa – Author: Ossewa – CC BY-SA 3.0
Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa – Author: Ossewa – CC BY-SA 3.0

This castle was constructed in the 1600s by the Dutch East India Company. It is known for being the oldest remaining building from the colonial era and operated as a replenishment station for passing ships.

The shadow of a tall man is reported to lurk in the ramparts, jumping off the walls or walking between bastions.

There is also the Lady in Grey who has been seen running around the castle crying, but she has not been seen since the recovery of a woman’s body during an excavation.

Also, sometime in the 1700s, a soldier was discovered hanging in the bell tower, which resulted in the bell tower being closed off. The bell still rings, even today.

8. The Tower of London, London, England

 

Tower of London viewed from the River Thames. – Author: Bob Collowân – CC-BY-SA-4.0
Tower of London viewed from the River Thames. – Author: Bob Collowân – CC-BY-SA-4.0

The Tower’s history goes all the way back to the time of William the Conqueror following his invasion of England in 1066. The most famous trouble in the Tower came from England’s most-famous king, however, Henry VIII.

Henry VIII was known to lock people up in the Tower prior to execution.

His second wife, Anne Boleyn, who was also the mother of Queen Elizabeth I, is reported to still be wandering the halls of the Tower without her head.

There has been numerous reports of two children running around in their nightgowns who are thought to be two princes who were murdered by their uncle.

9. The Banff Springs Hotel, Alberta, Canada

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta, Canada – Author: Diderot~commonswiki – CC BY-SA 3.0
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta, Canada – Author: Diderot~commonswiki – CC BY-SA 3.0

This beautiful hotel, surrounded by an amazing landscape, is said to be the most haunted location in all of Canada.

Sightings have included a bride who died after falling down the stairs after her dress caught fire who has been seen in the ballroom.

There was also a tragic story of a murdered family who are still seen around the hotel, and a bellhop who still likes to help guests to their rooms, but disappears when addressed.

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marion-fernandez

marion-fernandez is one of the authors writing for Outdoor Revival