Splendidly spooky spots around the world
Grab your jack-o'-lanterns in time for Halloween, and let us take you to places that are bound to give you goosebumps. What once was known as All Hallows' Eve has long become a worldwide event.
Frankenstein Castle, Germany
In the 13th century, Baron von Frankenstein built this castle on the edge of the Odenwald mountain range. His namesake monster is, however, the invention of the English writer Mary Shelley. Her novel inspired numerous films, but the castle still calls itself the "real home of the monster." Here, Halloween is celebrated in style, with a ghoulish spectacle that includes a haunted dinner.
Kronborg Castle, Denmark
Shakespeare's Elsinore — the setting of his world-famous play "Hamlet" — was modeled after Kronborg Castle in Helsingor half a millennium ago. When a new restaurant opened on its premises in 2005, employees began to report bottles falling from shelves and candles lighting themselves. There was also talk of a stench of corpses. A spiritualist then banished the ghosts — but for how long?
Haunted catacombs, France
In the 18th century, the cemeteries of Paris were at full capacity due to pestilence and starvation. That's why human remains had to be transferred to a section of the city's subterranean network, the catacombs, which became an ossuary. These tunnels once served old limestone quarries, but now they contain the bones of nearly seven million people. Guided tours are available — if you dare.
Mortemer Abbey, France
One of the more aristocratic ghosts, the so-called "White Lady" — or "dame blanche" — is a prominent type of apparition in Europe. Mortemer Abbey accounts for one instance of the elusive ghost showing herself. Henry I of England confined had his daughter Matilda, a disputed heir to the throne, to this Cistercian monastery near Rouen for five years. It is said that she still haunts its ruins.
The Cemetery of the Nameless, Austria
The current of the Danube River used to frequently wash corpses ashore at this spot in Vienna — 478 in total. Beginning in 1840, this is where they were buried. To this day, neither their names nor the causes of their deaths are known. Each year, on the first Saturday after All Saints' Day, fishermen launch a raft onto the river bearing the inscription, "To the victims of the Danube."
Bran Castle, Romania
This castle has become the stuff of legends. It is considered to have served as the inspiration for the castle of Count Dracula in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel. The castle has 57 bedrooms but no running water. Then again, vampires, whether in Transylvania or elsewhere, don't really need that kind of fluid.
Island of the Dolls, Mexico
Legend has it that when a little girl drowned off the coast of his island, Don Julian Santana Barrera began to collect old dolls, hanging them from the trees to appease her troubled ghost. Now, there are hundreds of mutilated dolls embellishing Isla de las Munecas near Mexico City. The doll collector himself is said to have died in 2001 — on the same spot where the little girl drowned...
Horror Nights in Europa Park Rust, Germany
October 31 is a special date for witches, vampires and ghosts in Germany, too. The Europa Park Rust welcomes its most fearless visitors to its annual "Horror Night." The event has been honored on several occasions as the Best Scare Event worldwide. Once darkness falls over Europa Park on Halloween it's bound to be a spine-tingling night.