While the United States has some seriously haunted cities for thrillseekers to explore, it’s difficult to compare with the U.K’s ancient history and Eastern Europe’s dark past. Check out this list of the most haunted cities abroad before planning your next international family getaway with a seasonal twist.
Basically the birthplace of vampire stories and creepy castles, Sighisoara, Romania, is what Transylvanian nightmares are made of — in a good way. Well before vampires made a trendy young adult comeback, this architectural marvel of a city was home to Vlad the Impaler, once Prince of Wallachia and the literal inspiration of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Check out his legendary castle, the Holy Trinity Church and his childhood home turned museum while in the area.
Sighisoara, Romania. Photo: Sorin Colac | Dreamstime.com
With its ancient history and mythical intrigue, Prague is famously a ghostly city known for creepy local legends and ancient folklore, including the headless Templar Knight often spotted riding along the city’s cobblestone streets holding his own head. In another dark corner of the region, Houska Castle was once a Nazi headquarters for occult experiments in Blatce, Czechia. To say there’s something wicked in Prague is an understatement.
Over in foggy London is a dark, haunted history — don’t let the modernity of the city fool you. London is rich with haunts, including the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, both known for ghost sightings and apparitional oddities. That, and, who could forget the terrifying stories of Jack the Ripper?
Poveglia Island, Venice, Italy
Affectionately known as Plague Island, Venice’s city of Poveglia is one haunted locale. Once home to exiled Black Plague victims, Poveglia Island was something of a prison, which led to the construction of a poorly maintained asylum with its own horrible history. The island saw only dark times and was quickly abandoned, making it one of the world’s most popular haunted destinations. Although not easily accessible to the public, this island should be on your family’s radar for ghost stories.
Poveglia. Photo: Hilda Weges | Dreamstime.com
Home to some of the most horrific Witch Trials in history, Edinburgh has its own haunted problems. The Scottish capital is loaded with creepy stories accounting for its presently spooky city streets and near regular local sightings of spirits and inexplicable stories. Definitely worth a visit on your ghost-hunting trip!
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