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10 Most Haunted Places in France

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A list of ten of the most haunted places in France from enchanted forests, dark châteaus to dark graveyards, the country is filled with ghost stories still haunting from beyond their graves.

France is a country steeped in history, art, and culture, but it is also home to a darker side. From ancient castles filled of rattling of chains and the mysterious ghost dressed in white known as Dame Blanche to deep necropolises and hidden places by the Knight Templar, France boasts an array of haunted locations that have captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike.

This is a list of only ten of the most haunted places in France we have written about here, but it is far from everyone that exist. For a more extensive list, head over to the archives at Moonmausoleum filled with ghost stories and legends about all of the most haunted places in France.

Brocéliande | Paimpont forest | Brittany — The enchanted and legendary forest of Arthurian legends

Most Haunted Places in France: From the Paimpont Forest in Brittany said to be the real place of the legendary Brocéliande forest.

The legendary Forest of Brocéliande, steeped in myth and mystery, holds tales of both curse and enchantment. Shrouded in Arthurian legends and French folklore, this mythical woodland is said to be home to fairies, spirits, and magical objects like Excalibur.

Dating back to Arthurian tales, the forest is intertwined with the stories of Merlin, King Arthur’s advisor, and the Lady of the Lake, Viviane, who imparted magic and secrets of the spirit world. Legends tell of hidden treasures like Excalibur and the Holy Grail within its depths, captivating adventurers for centuries.

While some regard Brocéliande as purely mythical, many identify the Paimpont Forest in Brittany as its real location. The forest harbors sites like the Vale of No Return, where Morgan le Fay imprisoned unfaithful knights, and the Tombeau de Merlin, where Merlin is said to be entombed.

Brocéliande is inhabited by a variety of mythical creatures, including fairies and protectors of the forest, as well as ghosts and revenants. Perhaps Brocéliande or Paimont Forest is one of the most haunted places in France even? At least the most magical one.

Read the whole story: The Enchanted Forest of Brocéliande

Jardin Tuileries | L’Homme Rouge | Paris — The red man haunting the garden as an omen

Most Haunted Places in France: The Jardin Tuileries used to belong to a castle that is now gone in the middle of Paris. According to the stories, it is haunted by a man in red that is said to be a bad omen.

The Tuileries Palace, once a grand royal residence adjacent to the Louvre Palace in Paris, holds within its storied history a chilling tale of revenge from beyond the grave and is perhaps one of the most haunted places in France. Constructed in the 16th century by Queen Catherine de Medici, this opulent palace was tragically destroyed by fire in 1871 during the tumultuous period of the Paris Commune. However, amidst the ruins lies a lingering specter, known as The Red Man, whose vengeful spirit haunts the nearby Tuileries Gardens to this day.

Legend has it that The Red Man is the restless soul of Jean l’Ecorcheur, a loyal servant turned assassin in service to Queen Catherine. Jean, also known as Jean the Skinner, earned his grisly nickname through his dual roles as a butcher and a clandestine operative for the queen. However, his intimate knowledge of the royal family’s secrets proved to be his undoing. Fearful that he would betray her, Queen Catherine ordered his demise, resulting in a brutal murder within the confines of the Tuileries Gardens.

In death, Jean’s spirit is said to have risen from the grave, cursing all those who dwelled within the palace walls. The Red Man became a harbinger of doom, appearing before significant events that befell the French royals. From the assassination of King Henry IV to the execution of Louis XVI during the French Revolution, sightings of The Red Man preceded these tragic events like a sinister omen.

Read the whole story: The Red Man haunting the Jardin Tuileries in Paris

Mont Saint-Michel | Normandy — The haunted tidal island and a pilgrimage destination

Most Haunted Places in France: The iconic island in Normandy is an old pilgrimage as well as believed to be haunted.

Mont Saint-Michel, an enigmatic island off the coast of France, has inspired centuries of mysterious tales. Initially a monastery, it has transformed into a small village with a rich history of battles and even served as a formidable prison known as the Bastille of the Sea.

The island’s steep cliffs and remote location made it a significant pilgrimage site, marked by its perilous tides, varying up to 14 meters. These natural phenomena have led to its nickname “St. Michael in peril of the sea,” cautioning pilgrims.

Legends abound, including stories of ghost monks haunting the abbey as their graves were desecrated during the French Revolution, their eternal rest being disrupted.

Mont Saint-Michel’s dark history is intertwined with the Hundred Years’ War, where battles for its control ensued. English attempts to seize the island were thwarted, resulting in legends of soldiers’ ghosts haunting its shores. Captain Louis d’Estouteville, a prominent figure in these battles together with his soldiers, is said to protect the abbey to this day, his ghost still guarding against intruders.

Read the whole story: The Haunted and Holy Mont Saint-Michel

Père Lachaise Cemetery | Paris — The haunted cemetery of bloody revolutions and celebrities

Most Haunted Places in France: The cemetery is almost like a city with its walled up mausoleums and streets. Here, the grave of the famous composer, Fred Chopin.

The Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France, renowned for its historic significance and famous inhabitants like Jim Morrison and Marcel Proust, has long been shrouded in mystery and ghostly tales and thought to be one of the most haunted places in France as well. Established in 1804 by Emperor Napoleon, this sprawling necropolis covers over 110 acres and attracts visitors from around the globe.

Despite its solemn purpose, the cemetery has witnessed its share of turmoil, including the execution of Communards during the Bloody Week of 1871. Reports of ghostly encounters abound, with visitors and cemetery workers alike recounting eerie experiences among the graves and mausoleums. Additionally, tales of restless spirits, like those of fallen soldiers from past battles, contribute to its haunted reputation.

Read More: There are no shortages of haunted cemeteries in the world.

The cemetery’s most peculiar legend revolves around Baroness Elisabeth Stroganova, whose mausoleum is rumored to hold dark secrets. According to lore, Stroganova offered a substantial inheritance to anyone who could endure spending a full year inside her tomb. Despite several attempts, no one has successfully completed the challenge, leading to speculation about the baroness’s motives and the eerie atmosphere surrounding her grave.

Read the whole story: Paris’ Haunted Père Lachaise Cemetery

Gouffre de Padirac Caves | Padirac Chasm | Lot, Occitanie — The cave made by Lucifer himself

Most Haunted Places in France: This natural wonder was thought by many to have been created by the devil himself.

The Gouffre de Padirac, a colossal cave in Southern France with breathtaking rock formations and subterranean rivers, while also shrouding itself in eerie tales of ghosts and mysteries.

Discovered in 1889 by Edouard-Alfred Martel, the cave’s history dates back to the 3rd century, with evidence of habitation in the 1400s and 1500s. Locals speculated about its connection to hell, using it as shelter during wars like the Hundred Years War.

Today, the cave attracts over 400,000 tourists annually, offering awe-inspiring sights like limestone walls adorned with colorful formations and an underground river creating a mystical ambiance.

Legends abound, suggesting Lucifer’s hand in creating the chasm, with tales of Saint Martin’s challenge to cross it to save souls. Rumors persist of hidden treasures guarded by flames, possibly remnants of the Hundred Years War.

Read the whole story: The Mysterious Gouffre de Padirac Caves

Eiffel Tower | Paris — The haunted and deadly romance at the top of the most romantic place on earth

Most Haunted Places in France: Perhaps one of the most iconic landmarks for romance. Could the same be said for it being haunted?

The Eiffel Tower, affectionately known as La dame de fer (the Iron Lady), stands as an iconic symbol of romance and modernity in Paris. Constructed for the 1889 World’s Fair, this architectural marvel has since become a magnet for urban legends, mysterious events, and ghostly sightings.

Despite initial criticism for its design, the tower captivated audiences with its grandeur and size, remaining the world’s tallest structure for over four decades. Today, it continues to draw millions of visitors, contributing to Paris’ reputation as a city of romance and intrigue.

Amidst marriage proposals and picturesque views, the Eiffel Tower harbors darker tales, including stories of jilted lovers and tragic endings. One legend tells of a heartbroken couple meeting at the tower in the 1920s, where a rejected proposal led to a fatal fall. Some claim to have encountered the spirit of the jilted lover or his scorned partner, perpetuating the tower’s haunted reputation and of being one of the most haunted places in France.

Read the whole story: Exploring the Ghost Stories on top of Paris’ Eiffel Tower

Château de Brissac | La Dame Verte | Loire Valley — The lady in green haunting

Most Haunted Places in France

There are no shortages of haunted castles and manors in France. Château de Blandy-les-Tours, Château de Châteaubriant and the Château de Trécesson just being a couple of them. But perhaps one of the more well known and most haunted one being, Château de Brissac, a grand castle in the Loire Valley, holds centuries of ghostly secrets, notably that of the Lady in Green. Built in the 11th century and renovated in the 16th century, it stands as a monument to France’s past, surrounded by seven towers and rich history.

The Green Lady, or La Dame Verte, is rumored to be Charlotte de Brézé, murdered by her husband Jacques de Breze in 1477. Suspected of infidelity, Charlotte was killed alongside her alleged lover, Pierre de Lavergne. Her spirit is said to roam the castle’s tower room, seeking vengeance.

Jacques, tormented by her ghost, eventually left the castle. Yet, visitors still report eerie occurrences, perpetuating the legend of Château de Brissac as one of the most haunted places in France, where the past continues to haunt its halls.

Read the whole story: The Lady in Green Haunting Château de Brissac

The Catacombs | Place Denfert-Rochereau | Paris — The mysterious underground necropolis

Most Haunted Places in France: Deep under the city of Paris, you will find the city of the dead, the catacombs.

Beneath the bustling streets of Paris lies a realm shrouded in darkness and mystery: the Catacombs. Originally an ancient quarry, this network of tunnels now houses the bones of millions of Parisians, relocated from overcrowded cemeteries in the late 1700s.

One infamous story revolves around Philibert Aspairt, a hospital worker who vanished in the catacombs during the French Revolution. Despite efforts to find him, his fate remained unknown until his body was discovered years later. Legend has it that his ghost still roams the labyrinthine corridors, a haunting reminder of the catacombs’ dark past.

But the mysteries of the catacombs extend beyond mere ghost stories. Legends speak of hidden chambers and strange creatures lurking in the shadows, making it perhaps one of the most haunted places in France.

Read the whole story: Scary Tales of The Catacombs of Paris

Château de Bonaguil | Dame Blanche | Saint-Front-sur-Lémance — The November haunting by the lady in white

Most Haunted Places in France: Image Source: Josep Renalias: Inside of the old castles in France, there are often tales of a particular ghost known as Dame Blanches or the Lady in White.

Château de Bonaguil, a 12th-century fortress in Saint-Front-sur-Lémance, France, sits atop a rocky outcrop near the Lot and Dordogne rivers. Its name, meaning “good needle,” refers to its pointy rock foundation.

Originally constructed by knight Arnaud de la Tour of Fumel in the 12th century, the castle saw significant modifications during the Hundred Years War and later by the House of Bérenger de Roquefeuil family in the late 15th century. Renovations transformed it into a formidable fortress, making it one of France’s last fortified castles from the Middle Ages.

Despite its storied past, Château de Bonaguil is rumored to be haunted, attracting paranormal investigators who have reported strange phenomena and captured ghostly images that claim the old castle is one of the most haunted places in France. Legends speak of the Dame Blanche, or White Lady, said to wander the castle’s grounds, particularly in November.

The legend of the Dame Blanche is intertwined with the story of Marguerite de Fumel, daughter of Béranger de Roquefeuil. She allegedly fled her tyrant father and a forced marriage, only to meet a tragic end.

Read the whole story: The November Ghost in Château de Bonaguil

Rue Des Chantres | Paris — The lost children haunting the streets of Paris

Most Haunted Places in France: Picture of the haunted street taken sometime between 1885 and 1925.

Rue des Chantres, near the Seine in Paris, is shrouded in eerie tales of forgotten tragedies and spectral encounters. This small street, close to Notre Dame, holds whispered accounts of agony, death, and haunted houses, painting a sinister picture of its history and is maybe one of the most haunted places in France?.

Île de la Cité, one of Paris’s oldest areas, is steeped in legends of paranormal phenomena. Once home to a convent, castle, and numerous haunted houses, this district is rumored to be inhabited by ghosts of the past. Famed figures like Heloise, from the tragic tale of Heloise and Abelard, once resided in this enigmatic locale.

The chilling legend of the Lost Children on Rue des Chantres stems from a devastating event in 1910. During a severe flood, children from a hospital, housed in the Hotel-Dieu, were trapped and drowned in their rooms. Despite efforts to conceal their bodies, many believe these souls still haunt the street, forever denied peace in death.

Since the tragic flood, witnesses have reported hearing children’s screams and laughter echoing from Rue des Chantres. Strange lights and shadowy figures have also been sighted, attributed to the Lost Children who roam the street, leaving an indelible mark on those who dare to venture into their realm.

Read the whole story: The Story of the Lost Children on Rue Des Chantres

Most Haunted Places in France

So this was a little list of the most haunted places in France according to Moonmausoleum, but it is far from every ghost story from the enchanted country filled of dark Châteaus and legendary tales from folklore. For a complete list of all ghost stories from France, check out the archives here.

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References and links to sources used in this article about the most haunted places in France are to be found in their respective articles.

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Ghostly Encounters at the Sanatorium of Santo Angel de la Guarda

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In a former sanatorium turned into a psychiatric hospital, there have been tales about hauntings for years. A culmination of all the tragic souls trapped there is said to be haunting the Sanatorium of Santo Angel de la Guarda’s abandoned building.

The Sanatorium of Santo Angel de la Guarda sanatorium in the Navacerrada mountains close to Madrid in Spain. The sanatorium was built in 1941 in Franco’s Spain to treat some of the very serious diseases that plagued the country. The hospital was also called La Barranca and later The Navacerrada Psychiatric Hospital.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

Patients suffering from tuberculosis, leprosy, polio and other heavy diseases were sent here to the Pinar de la Barranca. Illnesses like tuberculosis wouldn’t get a better cure until the 50s with the rise of antibiotics and was looked as like the white plague because of how the patients looked with the disease.  

At the time, cold and dry air was the best climate to treat it and is the reason why so many tuberculosis hospitals were built in the Sierra de Guadarrama area as with the case with Sanatorium of Santo Angel de la Guarda .  

Sanatoriums in Europe

A sanatorium is an old name for specialized hospitals that were made for specific ailments. They were often built in the countryside with plenty of fresh air in a healthy climate isolated from the outside world. Sanatoriums across Europe and America were very popular to treat tuberculosis until the discovery of antibiotics. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from old hospitals like Hauntingly Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital, Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital or Hauntings at the Weston State Hospital or the Trans-Allegheny Asylum

It could however also be a place for people to heal from things like alcoholism, nervous diseases like hysteria or emotional exhaustions. After medical advances the use of sanatoriums declined and many were abandoned in the mid 1900s often and has since gained a haunted reputation. 

Sanatorium of Santo Angel de la Guarda Closes

After these diseases were slowly but surely cured, the sanatorium was converted into a psychiatric hospital in 1950 before finally closing in 1995. 

The Sanatorium of Santo Angel de la Guarda was for a long time not completely closed off and it was an easy access to curious people that wanted to have a look. 

Inside they could find records of patients and treatments that hadn’t been cleared out as well as experiencing what some claim was something paranormal. 

The Haunting of the Sanatorium

The people that have decided to go inside of the abandoned Sanatorium of Santo Angel de la Guarda claim that they felt some sort of presence in the abandoned corridors and doors would open and close with some kind of force. 

The electrical devices they brought with them inside had a habit of stopping working. There are also those who claim to have seen lights that look like little lanterns walking around. 

Who are the ghosts Haunting Sanatorium of Santo Angel de la Guarda

But who are the ghosts still haunting the old Sanatorium of Santo Angel de la Guarda? There is not a single ghost that are talked about, rather a culmination of all the souls that passed the hospital is said to have left some sort of energy behind. There are however reports about people spotting distinctive figures haunting the place. 

There are said to be children running around in the corridor, playing a game that will last an eternity. There are also reports of old women wearing white clothes, looking confused. A mother has been spotted leaning out of the windows with a baby in her arms as well as the more vague footsteps and voices coming from the darkness. 

From what time these ghosts came from is uncertain. Was it from the time it was used as an anti-tuberculosis sanatorium or perhaps later when it was converted into a psychiatric hospital.

The Future of the Sanatorium

The building was big and could be used for many purposes. Why is it that no one put the old building in use? Was it because of the haunted rumors no one wanted to have a part in? Perhaps it was just because the location is far away from anything and inconvenient?

Today the place is only visited by vandals, paranormal seekers and spiritualists although the place is closed off for visitors and is punishable by a fine. 

In September 2020, the building made headlines when a man fell through two floors and hurt himself badly. He said he was there with friends to drink and do spiritualism to try to contact the afterlife. And in the effort, he almost went to the other side himself. 

In 2023 though, the national park the Sanatorium of Santo Angel de la Guarda is located in decided to demolish the building. Exactly when it happens though, is unclear but was believed that would be done during that year.

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References:

DESMEMORIATS: HOSPITAL DEL SANTO ÁNGEL DE LA GUARDA
The 10 most famous haunted houses in Spain — idealista

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The Haunted History of Three Kings Chapel in Goa

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Despite no seemingly root in reality as the ghost story is told today, the legends about the three kings that are haunting the Three Kings Chapel in Goa keep being told and they are said to come out at night when no one is supposed to stay. 

The Three Kings Chapel on top of Cuelium hill shines white against the blue sky of Goa. The old church is also known as the Church of Our Lady of Remedies and is found in South Goa in India. The allegedly haunted church has long been associated with ghost sightings, supernatural activities, and unexplained occurrences. 

Read more: Check out all of the ghost stories from India

The church’s dark past is riddled with tales of Portuguese invaders, brutal battles, and tragic deaths that have left their mark on the very foundation of the building. The locals believe that the spirits of the fallen soldiers and innocent civilians still haunt the Three Kings Chapel making it one of the most haunted places in Goa. 

Three Kings Chapel: Source

History of Three Kings Chapel

The Three Kings Chapel was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese in the village of Cansaulim on top of a hill called Cuelim over the coconut trees below. The Portuguese invaded Goa in 1510 and defeated the Bijapur Sultanate. Portuguese rule lasted for about 450 years, and heavily influenced Goan culture, cuisine, and architecture.

The Three Kings Chapel’s original name is apparently Remedios Saibini Church or Our Lady of Remedies. It was built in 1599 by Fr Gonzalo Carvalho S.J. During this time the Portuguese Empire ruled Goa. 

Why the name was changed is uncertain though. The Three Kings Chapel refers to the three wise men in the bible that visited Baby Jesus in his crib. Every year the Christians celebrate the Feast of the Three Kings on the 6th of January that marks the end of Christmas, especially for the Spanish and Portuguese. 

The Three Kings Coming to Goa

There are many legends connected to this The Three Kings Chapel that are said to be the source of the legends and ghost stories coming from there. One being that there once were three Portuguese kings that were fighting for power in the area, or in some cases prince brothers that all fought to be the single ruling king. 

One of the Kings invited the other two for dinner once and claimed he wanted to find a peaceful solution to their quarrels. When the dinner party arrived though, he poisoned their food and declared himself king after they died. 

His plan backfired though when his brother’s supporters found out what he had done though and he was aware about the repercussions. Fearing the wrath of the other two kings supporters though, he drank the poison as well and died along with them. 

The Haunted Cemetery

Together they were all buried in the cemetery of the Three Kings Chapel. It is said that their spirits still roam around in the graveyard on top of the hill, still governing their kingdom they wanted so much and died for. 

People visiting the hill the Three Kings Chapel sits on claim to have seen something ghostly in the dark, and felt something they describe like a strong presence. 

Read more: Check out more ghost stories from cemeteries around the world

The locals advise to not visit the haunted church late at night, as the story goes you will never be seen again. Some say that they only say this to keep lovers away from this secluded place though. 

There is also the legend of a tree that is outside of the church. When you leave, you must never look back at it. People are also said to get sick or if they are not baptized when visiting and so on. 

Three Kings Chapel: Source

Legends and Myths Surrounding the Church

As history goes, we do know where the Portuguese king was throughout the times, and it wasn’t in Goa. So who was supposedly quarreling by the Three Kings Chapel? Some speculate that the legend could be of a more local power struggle when the Portuguese claimed the land. Throughout the times though, the local warlords became more royal for the story’s effect.

In some sources they call the King that poisoned his brothers, King Holger Alvunge, but as it is a Scandinavian sounding name, it has most likely no base in reality. But even in old days in the Goa governance, they usually kept records, and there have been no leaders with the name of Holger Alvunge. 

There are also claims of lights coming from the haunted church that are like a ghost procession for the kings in the dead of the night, gliding around the church and coming down the hill. But that may very be during the Three Kings festival where people parade to the top throwing coins. After they usually stay back a couple with light to collect them. 

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References:

The Haunted Three Kings Chapel is not Haunted. 

Three Kings Church, Cansaulim (Goa) – Haunted Places of Goa – Holidify 

IS THE THREE KINGS CHAPEL REALLY A HAUNTED PLACE IN GOA? – That Goan Girl 

Three Kings Chapel, Goa: Is It Really Haunted? | LBB 

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The Bloody Hauntings at Aughrim Battlefield

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After thousands of people died in the war on the bloody Aughrim Battlefield, it has ever since been rumored the ghosts of the fallen soldiers are still haunting the place. The sounds of soldiers fighting and battlecries can be heard in the darkness in what is known as the Bloody Hollow. 

Forget not the field where they perish’d,
The truest, the last of the brave,
All gone — and the bright hope we cherish’d
Gone with them, and quench’d in their grave!
– Thomas Moore, Forget Not the Field

In the serene and lush landscapes of County Galway in Ireland, the Aughrim Battlefield bears witness to a tragic chapter in Irish history – the Battle of Aughrim. This hallowed ground, once the site of a fierce conflict, now tells a story that transcends the ages, filled with bravery, sorrow, and restless spirits that continue to haunt its fields that has been remembered as The Bloody Hollow.

A Clash of Loyalties

The Battle of Aughrim unfolded on the fateful day of July 25, 1691, according to the modern calendar (July 12 in the old calendar). On this day, 35,000 soldiers from eight nations converged near Aughrim in County Galway, their loyalties torn between William of Orange and King James II. This clash of titans resulted in a harrowing spectacle of war and carnage that would forever etch the name of Aughrim in history.

Aughrim Battlefield: Depiction of the Battle of Aughrim (1691) by John Mulvany. The battle was a bloody one and it is believed that the ghosts of the fallen soldiers is still haunting the fields.

The Aftermath of Aughrim Battlefield

The Jacobite casualties were substantial, and many were killed even after surrendering. The battle ended in the evening as darkness and mist descended upon the battlefield.

The scale of the tragedy that unfolded on the battlefield is staggering and one of the worst massacres in the history of the country. As many as 7,000 soldiers are believed to have met their untimely demise on that fateful day the Jacobite army lost to the Williamites. 

Their lifeless bodies were left to decay where they had fallen, and the decaying corpses were left for a year in pools of blood until there were only skeletons left. 

The Ghosts of Aughrim

Aughrim Battlefield has a voice that speaks across time and people claim that ever since the battle, the fields are now haunted. Visitors have reported hearing battle-related noises, the agonizing screams of dying men, and the haunting echoes of a conflict long past. These auditory remnants of history serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifice and suffering endured on this hallowed ground. 

Read Also: Check out the story about Ghost Stories from the Gettysburg Battlefield or The Haunted Town and Tragedy of Belchite for more ghost stories from battlefields.

Within the battlefield lies a place known as “The Bloody Hollow,” a somber reminder of the battle’s grim toll. Visitors have described feelings of intense fear and the sensation of being touched by unseen hands in this area. Some attribute these eerie experiences to the soldiers who perished here, their pleas for help echoing through the centuries.

One poignant apparition said to haunt Aughrim is that of a loyal canine. This faithful companion stood vigil over its fallen master, refusing to leave even after death claimed its owner. The dog’s spectral presence is often seen at the spot where its master met his end, a testament to the enduring bond between humans and their animal companions.

The Ever Bloody Fields of Aughrim

In the shadows of Aughrim Battlefield, the lingering spirits of fallen soldiers continue to haunt the land. Their restless souls, forever trapped in the memories of that fateful day, find no peace. The echoes of battle still reverberate through the Bloody Hollow, where the cries of combat and the clash of swords pierce through the silence of the night.

The stories of Aughrim Battlefield, etched in the annals of Irish history, serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of war and the enduring impact it leaves behind.

In the heart of County Galway, the ghosts of Aughrim Battlefield still whisper their stories, their voices carried on the wind. And as long as there are those who seek to remember, to honor, and to learn from the past, the spirits of Aughrim Battlefield will forever endure, their presence felt by all who walk these haunted grounds.

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References:

Battle of Aughrim – Wikipedia 

Aughrim Battlefield | Haunted Galway, Ireland | Spirited Isle 

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10 Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong

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Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong goes from dark metro stations, historic buildings as well as victims of war crimes, murders and stuff og legends.

In the cityscape of Hong Kong lies a realm of ghostly tales and supernatural encounters that stretch back for generations. Many of these stories came from actual cases that today are the stuff of urban legends and whispered ghost stories.

For a more complete list of haunted places, head over to the China archives on Moonmausoleum. For this article, let’s have a look at some of the most haunted places in Hong Kong.

MTR’s Island Line | 港鐵 | Hong Kong — The haunted metro stations throughout the city

Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong: Photo by Kaique Rocha on Pexels.com

The metro system in Hong Kong harbors more than just commuters within its tunnels if we are to believe the stories. Amidst the modernity and hustle of daily life, eerie tales of supernatural encounters lurk in the shadows, weaving a tapestry of mystery and intrigue.

Rumsey Station is said to be haunted by the construction workers that died while building it, as well as being haunted by a woman that is reportedly leaping off the platform.

There have also been claims that construction workers hear the screams inside of the Whitty Station tunnels. When they investigated the claims, they allegedly found a woman dressed in white on the platform that leapt onto the tracks when they approached her. 

At Choi Hung Station, the legend of a vanished train, rumored to have traversed a track leading straight to hell, sends shivers down the spine.

Meanwhile, the ghostly apparition at Yau Ma Tei Station defies rational explanation, leaving witnesses questioning reality itself. A mass haunting a couple of decades ago seen and heard by many left people to think that someone had jumped that day, but no one was found, leading people to believe it had to be a ghost reliving her final moments over and over again.

Read the whole story here: The Haunted Metro Stations on Hong Kong MTR’s Island Line

Nam Koo Terrace | 南固臺 | Wan Chai — The ghosts of headless comfort women

Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong: Source

Back in the day under the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong the Japanese soldiers used Nam Koo Terrace on Ship Street, also today known as Wan Chai Haunted House, as a military brothel as well as a place of torture during the Second World War. When you know the story that went on behind these walls, there is no wonder why it is considered one of the most haunted places in Hong Kong

Comfort women or comfort girls were women and girls forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army in occupied countries and territories before and during World War II. Estimates vary as to how many women were involved, with most historians settling somewhere in the range of 50,000–200,000.

It is said it is the ghosts of the women that had to stay in this place, so called Comfort Women haunt the building, roaming headless in the night. Some even go as far as claiming insanity after staying in the house and once, papers like the Oriental Daily covered one of these cases.

Read the whole story here: Nam Koo Terrace — The Wan Chai Haunted House

The Hello Kitty Murder Case | Kowloon — The ghost from the harrowing murder case

Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong

The gruesome discovery of a woman’s skull concealed within the innocent facade of a Hello Kitty doll sent shockwaves rippling through the community, revealing the depths of human depravity in 1999. A young woman named Ah Fong, had fallen victim to a brutal and sadistic torture session orchestrated by a group of individuals involved in the criminal underworld.

Ah Fong had been held imprisoned in the apartment, tortured in the most barbaric and vicious ways as well as raped over and over for over a month before she died. But as the perpetrators faced justice for their heinous crime, whispers began to circulate of a darker force at play.

Many unusual events have occurred that are regarded as supernatural by the public. And rumors about something paranormal and strange going on started already during trial with the light flickering when the culprits tried to defend themselves.

The building where the murder happened had strange things going on as well and has made the list of more than one list of Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong. A woman rented a unit on the fourth floor without knowing about the murder. Her friend often heard women crying at night, and at that time, there were no people living downstairs. There have also been reports about seeing the ghost of a young woman wandering in the building.

In the end the building itself was torn down. No one wanted anything to do with it as it was tainted and haunted in their eyes. But even when a new building was built there, a memorial was put in place just in case it could help stop with the haunting.

Read the whole story here: The Ghost of the Hello Kitty Murder

The Braided Girl on the Train Tracks | Chinese University of Hong Kong | New Territories — The ghost of a disfigured girl approaching male students

Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong

The story of The Braided Girl is set around the train station close to Chinese University of Hong Kong and where the old train tracks used to run. In the 1960’s, or according to some, even before that, a girl was trying to smuggle herself into Hong Kong from mainland China to elope and be with her lover. Back then there were a number of people from mainland China who tried to hide in the trains carrying cattles and jumped off the train when reaching the destination. 

The Braided Girl was wearing two plaited braids and had no ticket for the train she was on. She was caught when the conductor asked for her ticket and she knew she had to get away. 

To escape she jumped from the train, but one of her long braids was caught in the train door or even the tracks as she hit the ground and she tore the braids from her scalp and destroyed her face and died a horrible death. 

People have seen the braided girl weeping with her backs to them around the path where the story allegedly happened where the tracks used to run. The place is now known as Braid Road (辮子路 or 一條辮路).

When the students, mostly male students, are looking closer she turns toward them and shows her torn face. 

Read the whole story here: The Braided Girl on the Train Tracks

Jumbo Kingdom | 珍寶王國 | Aberdeen Harbour — The mysterious rowing women in the water

Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong: Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant from it was still in operation.

In 2022, the whole floating restaurant capsized after years of misfortune. It closed down during the pandemic, and never got to reopen after. But before it closed down, it had a haunted rumor about it attracting ghosts from the bay area and was in addition to a tourist attraction one of the most haunted places in Hong Kong.

There are legends about a mysterious woman rowing a small boat at night by the restaurant that people are saying is a ghost. This alludes to the practice prostitutes used in Hong Kong back in the day when they rowed out to ship waiting in the bay to earn money from the sailors waiting in their ships in the harbor. People think that the floating life full of life and lights in the bay reminded the spirits of the prostitute ghost at sea about their life and attracts them. 

The question is, was it only to this particular restaurant the ghosts were attracted to, or is it something in the Hong Kong harbor that has the same allure to the people from the afterlife?

The Ghost of Jumbo Kingdom, the Floating Restaurant

The Takeout Ordering Ghost |鬼叫餐 | Leighton Road — An urban legend that is still haunting the streets

Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong

In the bustling streets of Hong Kong, whispers of a ghostly phenomenon have long haunted the city’s residents. The tale of the Takeout Ordering Ghost, a spectral entity that summons food deliveries from beyond the grave, has become a chilling legend passed down through generations. Some believe that the origins of this eerie story can be traced back to a real incident, shrouded in mystery and superstition.

The story goes that after a restaurant receives an order by phone, the delivery boy heads to a nearby condo on Leighton Road, where he encounters a hand emerging from the door gap to pay him. Upon returning to the restaurant, however, he discovers that the money has transformed into ghostly joss paper, unsettling the owner and casting suspicion on the employee.

As the eerie incidents repeat themselves, with the money consistently morphing into ghost currency, the restaurant owner grows increasingly alarmed. Determined to uncover the truth, he decides to personally deliver the next order to the condo. What he discovers inside shocks him to the core: four decomposing bodies seated around a Mahjong table, with remnants of the restaurant’s food containers nearby.

Police investigations reveal that the deceased succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning, indicating that they had been dead for some time, although the neighbors had all heard them playing and partying.

Read the whole story here: The Takeout Ordering Ghost in Hong Kong

Bela Vista Villa | 東堤小築 | Cheung Chau island — The haunted vacation home on the beach

Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong

It is said that the building is the place for over 20 murders and suicide cases over the last 30 years and the Bela Vista Villa has been dubbed The Resort of Charcoal Suicide. People have come to this place from the rest of Hong Kong to end their life there for all sorts of reasons. What happened over the years was that it started to be rumored to be one of the most haunted places in Hong Kong.

The people that have stayed in the vacation home claim to have heard wailing screams in the night coming from the ghosts of the victims and seeing ghost apparitions of them, and it is said that the haunted ghost stories all started with a singular case.

It is said that it all started the summer of 1989 when a woman together with her son vacated in one of the units. According to the stories, the woman was said to be the estranged wife of a Hong Kong pharmaceutical tycoon. He was cheating on her and the infidelity drove her mad.

She killed her son before herself. The mother dressed up in an all red outfit before hanging herself. After this incident, it is said that the residents on the island have seen the mother and son wandering around. There have even been those who claim that they have been possessed by their ghosts as well.

Read the whole story here: The Haunted Bela Vista Villa

Murray House | 美利樓 | Stanley/Chek Chue — The house that went through two exorcisms

Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong: Source

During the Japanese Occupation, the Japanese forces took the Murray House and used it as a command center by the Japanese military police. It was also a place of execution during the war. More than 4000 citizens of Hong Kong were tortured until they were murdered inside of these walls. These are the unfortunate souls said to haunt the Murray House, making it one of the most haunted places in Hong Kong. 

After the war the Murray House became a hot spot for paranormal activity, and the haunting of the place got so bad that the Hong Kong government ordered not only one exorcism, but two. One time in 1963 and the last one being in 1974. 

The first time it was apparently an unsuccessful one as workers kept complaining about being harassed and plagued by ghosts. They found their work vandalized and blueprints they put out smeared and modified. Another employer claimed to have encountered a ghost in the bathroom that tugged on his sleeve, but when he turned there was nothing there.  

In the 1974 exorcism, 70 Buddhists monks wandered the Murray House for two hours while chanting and burning offerings and the event was televised with a huge crowd gathered to see it all.

The building was actually dismantled and put in storage for a long time. Today the Murray House is a wonderful retail shopping place with a restaurant where people can marvel at the sea view from the historic building on south Hong Kong Island. 

Read the whole story here: The Exorcisms at the Haunted Murray House

Ping Shan Tat Tak School | 達德學校 | New Territories — The ghost in red haunting the former school

Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong: The School Gate in 2023: Source

In the New Territories in Hong Kong there is a haunted school called Ping Shan Tat Tak School (達德學校) that was established in 1931 in the centuries old Yu Kiu ancestral hall in Ping Shan, Yuen Long. Today it is abandoned and seen as one of the most haunted places in Hong Kong.

A legend goes that one of the schoolmistresses or the principal committed suicide and hang herself in the school toilets, wearing a red dress. She is now said to haunt the school. A woman haunting the bathroom in schools are widely told across Asia, and also the fact that she is wearing red.

On September 10th in 2011, 12 students from a middle school visited Ping Shan Tat Tak School and came back with haunted tales. They claimed to have heard footsteps in the abandoned building as well as hearing an ominous scraping noise from the walls. 

Three of the girls kept fainting and one completely lost control of himself, pinching his own neck and biting so he needed the friends to help stop him and they called the police for help. 

Read the whole story here: The Ghost in Red at Ping Shan Tat Tak School

Lui Seng Chun Building | 雷生春 | Mong Kok — The building that didn’t want to be demolished

Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong: Source

No list of the most haunted places in Hong Kong is complete without the Lui Seng Chun building. In the 1980s, construction workers were planning to remodel the historical building. One by one the construction workers, as well as the cleaning staff, fell mysteriously ill. 

Things were disappearing from the construction site without a trace and fatal accidents happened that people thought something paranormal were behind. The legend goes that it was believed that the ancestors of the Lei Liang, the original owner of Lui Seng Chun, were angry at the demolition plans and instead kept it as it had always been and preserved it.

When people would start reporting ghostly sightings inside and around Lui Seng Chun it was about ghostly children. They reportedly saw children playing something that looked like football and at first it looked innocent and normal. But when they looked closer, they saw the ball they were playing with was actually a decapitated head. 

There were also people that claimed that the lights in the upper floors kept turning on in the middle of the night in the abandoned building and that numerous shadows were seen as they passed by the windows. 

Read the whole story here: The Haunted Lui Seng Chun Building

Most Haunted Places in Hong Kong

This was a list of some of the most haunted places in Hong Kong, but it is far from the whole list. For more like this, head over to the China archive, for more ghost stories, urban legends and haunted places.

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The Haunted Hospital del Tórax de Terassa

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The old Hospital for respiratory illnesses in Spain are said to be haunted by the patients that suffered a slow and painful death. The Hospital del Tórax de Terassa has since been abandoned, but people keep finding strange and disturbing things that maybe should be left in the darkness. 

This eerie hospital is said to be home to a ghost that has been lurking around its halls for years. People have reported strange occurrences and unexplainable sightings that suggest this hospital is indeed haunted.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

A hospital that is said to be haunted is the Hospital del Tórax de Terassa in Catalonia, Spain that opened in 1952 closed in 1997 and was abandoned for years until 2004 when the city decided to remodel the building to be used for a residence wing as well as a location for horror movies. 

Recovery Center in the La Pineda Forest

The hospital used to be a hospital that specializes in respiratory illnesses for patients in Catalonia like lung cancer, fibrosis and the much feared tuberculosis and was when it opened the largest hospital in Europe that treated tuberculosis. And even if the illness was about to be practically eradicated, there were still a fair amount of cases in Spain in the 50s of the white plague. 

Abandoned Building: The Haunted Hospital del Tórax de Terassa or Sanatori de Terrassa is thought to be haunted by the patients that jumped to their death. //Source: Enric/wikimedia

The patients were in deep pain suffering a very slow and painful death trying to get better in the fresh air of the La Pineda forest close to Barcelona in an area known as Llano del Buen Aire. The city of Tarrasa was the city with the lowest incidence of tuberculosis in Catalonia as well.  

Hospital del Tórax de Terassa was primarily a recovery center and the climate the place gave was the perfect setting for the 18 month recovery process from tuberculosis. The terraces on every floor were perfect for the patients to sit outside in and breathe in the fresh air the place had to offer. 

Although Hospital del Tórax de Terassa was in a fresh place, it was a desolate place far away from the city, and the patients had to be months separated from their loved ones. 

The hospital from the 50s had around 1500 rooms that separated the lower-class from the upper-class. In 1970, when the tuberculosis patients slowly declined, the place was turned into a general hospital. 

The Use of Hospital del Tórax de Terassa

A sanatorium is an old name for specialized hospitals that were made for specific ailments. They were often built in the countryside with plenty of fresh air in a healthy climate isolated from the outside world. Sanatoriums across Europe and America were very popular to treat tuberculosis until the discovery of antibiotics. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from old hospitals like Hauntingly Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital, Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital or Hauntings at the Weston State Hospital or the Trans-Allegheny Asylum

It could however also be a place for people to heal from things like alcoholism, nervous diseases like hysteria or emotional exhaustions. After medical advances the us of sanatoriums declined and many were abandoned in the mid 1900s often and has since gained a haunted reputation. 

The Nurses Caring for the Patients

The workload for the staff at Hospital del Tórax de Terassa must have been overwhelming, and there were around 50 nurses and nuns to take care of the over 1000 patients everyday that sometimes needed constant care. 

The caretakers and nurses at the hospital was a community of 25 Carmelite nuns that joined the hospital in 1954. Nuns have often a history of being the caretakers at hospitals, sanatoriums, orphanages and the likes in catholic countries like Spain, especially in the past.

The nuns left the hospital 20 years later though, due to the poor management of the hospital by the owners. Instead they hired inexperienced students from the nursing school that oftentimes took way more over their heads than they could offer in terms of being qualified to treat tuberculosis. 

The Many Deaths in “The Jungle”

For years the Hospital del Tórax de Terassa had the highest numbers of suicides in Spain. In one week when it was really bad, 21 people took their own lives while admitted to the hospital. 

The reasons for why varied. Some were just in so much pain that they weren’t able to take it anymore. Some were on a lot of drugs or some sort of psychosis. Some were just clinically depressed because of their long stay far away from anything as the patients were isolated completely from the world and the only form of contact was through the telephone and radio. 

It could also be because their family just dumped them there and they had nowhere to go once they were let out. Some knew that they would never be better and decided they would slowly waste away in the hospital bed. 

The legend says that the patients jumped from the ninth floor and into the garden. This garden was nicknamed The Jungle because of the horrible screams that could be heard before another body hit the ground.  

The Jungle is said to be a haunted place by the former patients of Hospital del Tórax de Terassa that jumped to their death even to this day. According to legend it is said you can still hear their dying last screams from falling or the excruciating moans and pain from those that didn’t immediately die from the fall. 

The Dark Magic Done in The Chapel

The 9th floor and the garden outside is not the only place the ghosts are haunting in the former sanatorium. According to those investigating they have found strange paranormal activity in the old chapel. 

According to some legends, there was dark magic going on inside of the chapel done by the people working there as well as some of the patients. Some claim it was even a place for satanic rituals, as many abandoned buildings are accused of.

Although whether that is true or not, has never really been found out.   

The Fetus in a Jar and Other Strange Things Left Behind

It is not only ghosts that creeps people out about the former hospital as it is also a location that serves those wanting a perfect place to shoot a horror movie as the place is now used as the Audiovisual Park of Catalonia.  

There are also creepy remains from the time it served as a hospital. In 2004 the police arrested a young man with something horrible in his possession found at the hospital. He had a fetus sealed in a jar filled with formaldehyde that he claimed he found on the 5th floor. 

Who the fetus came from, why it was on the 5th floor of Hospital del Tórax de Terassa and to what purpose, no one knows. 

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References:

El terrorífico Hospital del Tórax: ¿leyenda o realidad?
Hospital del Tórax de Terrassa
Hospital del Tórax (Tarrasa) – Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre
Hospital Torax de Terrassa – Sant Miquel de Gonteres, Spain – Atlas Obscura
The 10 most famous haunted houses in Spain — idealista

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Bigfoot Sightings in Yosemite National Park

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The mystery of the elusive Bigfoot is talked about all the way from south to the north in the USA. This is a couple of stories about Bigfoot’s history and potential sightings inside of Yosemite National Park in California. 

Under the towering pines and granite peaks of Yosemite National Park lies a realm of mystery and intrigue—a wilderness that has not only captivated nature enthusiasts but also ignited the fervent imaginations of those who seek the legendary creature known as Bigfoot. 

Although a legend for most, it is an actual thing for many, and it is said that about 1 in 10 American adults believe Bigfoot to be real as well as alive and well roaming the wilderness. In Washington there are even laws that can punish people that harm or kill Bigfoot. 

Read More: Check out all stories from the USA

Except for Washington, California is the place with more Bigfoot reports in the U.S, especially in Northern California and where you will find Yosemite National Park. Among the majestic landscapes and secluded meadows, tales of encounters with this elusive cryptid have woven themselves into the tapestry of Yosemite’s folklore. Here are some of the more talked about sightings of Bigfoot inside of the park. 

What is Bigfoot?

Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is a legendary creature often described as a large, hairy, ape-like being that inhabits forests, particularly in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Reports of Bigfoot sightings have been circulating for centuries, with indigenous cultures having their own folklore about similar creatures.

Although no conclusive scientific evidence has been found to prove the existence of Bigfoot, numerous sightings, footprints, and anecdotal accounts have fueled belief in the creature’s existence. 

Ever since the late 1800s and early 1900s, the settlers have reported strange sightings, finding mysterious footprints and eventually, grainy pictures that kept the mystery alive. Could this hazy figure be the creature? Or perhaps just an elaborate hoax?

Bigfoot is often depicted as a shy and elusive creature, rarely seen by humans and leaving behind only ambiguous evidence of its presence, such as large footprints or strange sounds in the wilderness.

Interest in Bigfoot has led to the formation of dedicated research groups, the exploration of purported Bigfoot habitats, and the production of documentaries and television shows seeking to uncover evidence of the creature’s existence. Despite the lack of definitive proof, the mystery of Bigfoot continues to captivate the imagination of people around the world, sparking debates about the existence of unknown creatures and the boundaries of scientific inquiry.

Patterson-Gimlin film: The most well-known video of an alleged Bigfoot, was recorded on October 20, 1967, by Roger Patterson and Robert “Bob” Gimlin in an area called Bluff Creek in Northern California. It become an iconic piece of Bigfoot lore, and continues to be a highly scrutinized, analyzed, and debated subject. Academic experts from related fields have typically judged the film as providing no supportive data of any scientific value, with perhaps the most common proposed explanation being that it was a hoax.

Bigfoot in Yosemite National Park

Today you can find many traces of the legend of Bigfoot around Yosemite National Park. People tell stories about it around campfires as well as selling merchandise with the design from the Patterson and Gimlin film from 1967. 

The Bigfoot is deeply ingrained into the Yosemite legends now, and some even claim that this is the very first home of Bigfoot. There are also those claiming to have seen and even interacted with the big yet elusive creature, and many dark things have been done by a true believer. 

A Serial Killer’s Obsession with Bigfoot

One of those claiming to have encountered Bigfoot and had a bit of an obsession over the mystery of the supposed monster, was Cary Stayner, a serial killer and keen hiker inside of Yosemite. 

Stayner gained notoriety as an American serial killer who committed a series of murders in California’s Yosemite National Park in the late 1990s. Born on August 13, 1961, Stayner’s troubled upbringing included the traumatic experience of witnessing his brother’s abduction at the hands of a serial predator from the park. 

He spent a lot of time hiking and camping in Yosemite from early childhood, and it was also where his brother was held and captured by a former employee at Yosemite Lodge. 

In Stayner’s early twenties he started going on about claiming to have encountered Bigfoot and talked about it all the time to his friends and family. This claim perhaps started small, but it soon grew into an obsession for him. According to his family, it was difficult to say if he feared the creature he believed existed, or if he identified too much with it. 

In February 1999, Stayner brutally murdered four women—Carole Sund, her teenage daughter Juli, their friend Silvina Pelosso, and Yosemite naturalist Joie Armstrong—while they were visiting the park. To many of his victims and witnesses, he asked them all if they believed in Bigfoot before doing his crimes. Stayner’s crimes shocked the nation and sparked a massive manhunt before he was apprehended and later convicted. His case shed light on the complexities of mental illness and the devastating impact of childhood trauma on individuals’ lives.

The Screaming Bigfoot

One particularly compelling account hails from the Tuolumne Meadows from 2004. A California Conservation Corps worker, spending a quiet night in the wilderness, became an inadvertent participant in the enduring legend of Bigfoot. One of the workers was camping close to the lake in Tuolumne Meadows. He was startled by the unmistakable cadence of heavy footsteps approaching his tent—a rhythmic march echoing the lore of the elusive creature.

Driven by curiosity and perhaps a touch of trepidation, the worker emerged from his shelter to confront the unknown. In the pale moonlight, he found himself face to face with a creature whose existence had long been relegated to the realms of myth and legend. Standing at an imposing 600 pounds, covered in thick black fur, and balancing on two legs, the figure before him aligned with the iconic image of Bigfoot that has fueled countless speculations.

Tuolumne Meadows: Sunset over Tuolumne Meadows in the area where one of the alleged sightings of the Bigfoot happened. // Steve Dunleavy/Wikimedia

The encounter took an unexpected turn as the worker, confronted with the reality of a creature that defied scientific explanation, let out an instinctual scream. Much to his surprise and dread, the creatures screamed back—a resonant, otherworldly scream that reverberated through the night. 

In a bizarre exchange between man and legend, the creature retreated into the shadows, leaving the worker both awe-stricken and bewildered by the surreal nature of the encounter.

After he told about it to old timers at the closest camp, none of them were surprised, as most of them had had similar weird experiences, although perhaps not so close and loud ones. 

Does Bigfoot Live in Yosemite?

These accounts add a tangible layer to the speculative narratives that have shrouded Bigfoot in mystery. There seems to be a common story for people from every walks of life, from the dark and twisted mind of a serial killer, to a more down to earth park employee. And these two stories are certainly not the only ones that claim that something else is wandering in the wilderness.

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References:

The Most Well-Known Northern California Spots For Bigfoot Sightings 

Urban Legends, Myths and Scary Stories from Yosemite & Bass Lake – The Pines Resort Blog 

Watts Valley Wolf Ape – Sasquatch Chronicles 

Cary Stayner – Wikipedia 

https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/yosemite-horror

Tuolumne County, CA 2004 

Watch: ‘Bigfoot’ Spotted in Yellowstone National Park? 

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The Curse of Tenaya Canyon in Yosemite

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One of the more dangerous places to travel in Yosemite National Park is the Tenaya Canyon where many people have gotten hurt or even died. Many believe that the canyon is cursed after Chief Tenaya and his people got removed from Yosemite and their ancestral land.  

Amidst the towering sequoias and breathtaking landscapes of Yosemite National Park and its surroundings, a realm of shadows and whispered stories unfolds. As the sun sets behind the colossal sequoias, legends from modern day and ancient tales creep out from the well walked trails in the darkness of Yosemite’s haunted landscape.

Yosemite National Park covers 759,620 acres and stretches into four counties in California. It has been a World Heritage Site since 1984 and is filled with granite cliffs, giant sequoia groves, crystal clear lakes and streams and storming waterfalls from the mountains. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from USA

Although the European settlers’ story in Yosemite is from 1851 when it was “found” by James D. Savage, the Native Americans story in the valley stretches back to nearly 4000 years. As for human presence, perhaps as far as 10 000 years. And by the look of it, it also seems to be one of the more haunted National Parks in the USA as well. 

Tenaya Canyon: View of Half Dome through Tenaya Canyon were the curse of Chief Tenaya is said to linger after his son was murdered by settlers: Akos Kokai/Wikimedia

The Danger of Tenaya Canyon

In Yosemite National Park lies a place of beauty and dread – Tenaya Canyon. Carved over millennia by the mighty forces of nature, this rugged gorge boasts towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and untamed wilderness. 

The Tenaya Canyon has a reputation for being a dangerous and tricky place to navigate without proper equipment, even for seasoned hikers and climbers. Some say because of the polished and slippery rocks, frequent rock slides and a steep ascent, some say it is also because of something more sinister than a tough terrain. 

Because beneath Tenaya Canyon’s scenic facade lurks a darker tale, one of tragedy, curses, and inexplicable occurrences that have earned it the ominous moniker: the Bermuda Triangle of Yosemite.

The Removal of the Ahwahnechee Tribe

The Mariposa War: The war erupted due to tensions arising from the influx of settlers into Native territories, encroachments on indigenous lands, and disputes over resources such as gold. The conflict resulted in the suppression of Native American resistance and the forced relocation of many indigenous peoples onto reservations.Protecting The Settlers” Illustration by JR Browne for his work “The Indians Of California” 1864. Portraying a massacre by militia men of an Indian camp.

Tenaya Canyon is named after Chief Tenaya, leader of the Ahwahnechee people who once called the Yosemite Valley their home. The Ahwahnechee people were said to have become a distinct tribe from the other local tribes and Chief Tenaya, a proud and resilient leader, fought fiercely to protect his people and their ancestral lands from encroaching settlers. 

In 1850 to 1851, the Mariposa War took place in Yosemite National Park and Sierra Nevada between the English settlers and the native tribes in the area. A bloody conflict together with sickness brought from Europe that would take their numbers in the valley down from around 7000 to only 200 or thereabout in a decade. 

It was in the middle of the California Gold Rush and the settlers wanted to send the native tribes to the Fresno Reservation. Chief Tenaya together with the local tribes fought back. However, personal tragedy struck in the 1850s when Chief Tenaya’s own son fell victim to a battalion seeking to forcibly remove the Ahwahnechee from Yosemite Valley. 

In the beginning many of the tribe decided to go to the reservation, but many fled back to the valley. One of the ones that did so was the youngest and favorite son of Chief Tenaya. His son was held captive by the European settlers and when he tried to flee, he was shot dead.

In his grief and rage, Chief Tenaya reportedly invoked a curse upon the canyon, vowing that those who trespassed upon its sacred grounds would meet misfortune and doom.

The Curse of Chief Tenaya

There are a couple of different accounts about what exactly he did say. One account of this curse can be found in Hutchings’ California Magazine from 1859 by Lafayette Bunnell:

“Kill me if you like; but if you do, my voice shall be heard at night, calling upon my people to revenge me, in louder tones than you have ever made it ring.”
Source

It is worth noting though, this is a retelling by one that was involved in removing the native tribes from Yosemite. Another account from Lafayette Bunnell goes into more details about what happened, and released in 1892 where he cursed them like this: 

 “You may kill me, sir, Captain, but you shall not live in peace. I will follow in your foot-steps, I will not leave my home, but be with the spirits among the rocks, the water-falls, in the rivers and in the winds; wheresoever you go I will be with you. You will not see me, but you will fear the spirit of the old chief, and grow cold. The great spirits have spoken! I am done.”
Source

Although the history of it all is true, its details must be taken with a grain of salt according to the historians, as the only retelling of what happened, when and what was said, only comes from the side that won the battle, and was alive to tell the tale. 

But what do Tenayas descendants and the natives have to say about this story? A spokesperson from the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation claims that the curse is common knowledge among them as well. Every time someone dies or has a terrible accident, or the very nature itself is moved by rock slides for example, they say a prayer and bless to keep the curse of Tenaya away and Yosemite safe. 

But beware, it is said for those not respecting the rocks, the plants or the waters in the park, bad things will happen. 

The Dangerous Curse of Tenaya Canyon in Yosemite

Over the years, the curse of Tenaya Canyon has become the stuff of legend, whispered among park rangers and visitors alike. It is said that the Tuolumne Meadows is the place from where the curse itself comes from and is filled with the spirit of those that died in battle there. 

Tales abound of accidents, mysterious deaths, and inexplicable disappearances that have befallen those who dared to venture into its depths. It is worth noting though that for a big part of the canyon, signs telling people “Warning. This is not a trail. Travel beyond this point is dangerous without climbing equipment. Return to Tioga road.” 

Source

Mostly, hikers and climbers in the canyon mostly talk about the sense that something is there. Like the way the climber, Rom Kauk talked about in an interview. He has felt that it is something with him in the canyon, something pulling his sleeping bag. 

But there are some that think that the curse is more dangerous than just an ominous presence and some pranks around the tents. Some believe that the curse is at fault for many of the accidents, disappearances and even deaths that have happened in the canyon. Something that has made people call the canyon the Bermuda Triangle of Yosemite. 

Many have tried hiking the 10 mile long traverse of the canyon, or the route from Tenaya Lake to Yosemite Valley.

Even the Yosemite legend, Jon Muir fell and was unconscious while he explored this part of Yosemite National Park:

I suddenly fell — for the first time since I touched foot to Sierra rocks. After several somersaults, I became insensible from the shock, and when consciousness returned I found myself wedged among short, stiff bushes, trembling as if cold, not injured in the slightest.
– Steep Trails by Jon Muir

Hiking the Cursed Canyon

Park rangers, well-versed in the park’s history and its secrets, have come to regard Tenaya Canyon with a mixture of reverence and fear. Some speak of strange occurrences and unsettling vibes that permeate the air, hinting at unseen forces at work. The remaining native tribes also take the curse at face value and urge hikers to treat the canyon with the respect it demands.

Despite its breathtaking beauty, Tenaya Canyon remains a place of caution and respect, its cursed reputation serving as a grim reminder of the enduring power of the past and the spirits that still roam the land. So the next time you find yourself drawn to the allure of Yosemite’s wilds, tread carefully and heed the warnings whispered by the wind – for Tenaya Canyon may hold secrets best left undisturbed.

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References:

So many accidents occur here, it’s called the ‘Bermuda Triangle’ of Yosemite

Tenaya Canyon – Wikipedia  

https://media.library.caltech.edu/CaltechBOOK:2007.004/mstory/tenaya.htm

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The Cursed Sailor’s Stone in the Devil’s Punch Bowl

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In Surrey, England, there is a woodland area by Hindhead Commons called the Devil’s Punch Bowl. It is said the Devil himself created it out of spite and many local legends and superstitions exist. Years later an unknown sailor was brutally murdered there and is believed to be haunting the area. 

Sometimes during the Middle Ages, the Devil himself, vexed by the many churches in Sussex, embarked on a diabolical plan. Intent on flooding the area, he commenced digging a channel from the English Channel through the South Downs. As he dug, he cast up colossal lumps of earth, each metamorphosing into local landmarks such as Chanctonbury Ring and Cissbury Ring. The Devil’s ambitious project was disrupted in the village of Poynings, now known as the Devil’s Dyke, when the crowing of a vigilant cock thwarted his efforts, or so the story goes. 

Another tale speaks of the Devil used to jump between the hills called Devil’s Jump, annoying Thor, the Norse God so much he tried to strike the Devil down with his thunder and lightning. As retaliation, the Devil started hurling earth at Thor, leading to the creation of the Punch Bowl. 

Devil’s Punch Bowl: As seen from below in the valley.//Source

What is the Devil’s Punch Bowl in Surrey?

The Devil’s Punch Bowl in Surrey, England, is a large natural amphitheater and beauty spot with a unique geological formation. It was created through a combination of natural processes, including the erosion of the soft, sandy rocks that form the basin. 

The name “Devil’s Punch Bowl” is associated with local folklore and legends that attempt to explain its formation. In reality, the Devil’s Punch Bowl is a result of a combination of water erosion and freeze-thaw processes. 

It is now a protected nature reserve and a popular destination for walkers and nature enthusiasts. The site offers stunning views, diverse flora and fauna, and a rich geological history.

It is also known as the site of a gruesome murder that put a stain on the area, as well as a curse on the dead man’s grave. 

The Murder of the Unknown Sailor

On 24 September in 1786, The Unknown Sailor walked into the Red Lion Inn in Thursley Village. He was walking to London to board a ship and was having drinks with three other sailors: James Marshall, Michael Casey and Edward Lonegon. 

According to witnesses The Unknown Sailor paid for all of their drink and food before leaving Hindhead Hill together with the. This was the last time anyone ever saw him alive as they killed him and took his clothes. He was close to being decapitated and left him naked in the valley. 

The murderers were arrested only hours later when they tried to sell his clothes at the Sun Inn in Rake, or Rogate as it is now. Six months later they were tried and two after they were convicted, they were hanged close to where they had committed the murder in Hindhead. 

The Cursed Sailor’s Stone

The Unknown Sailor was buried where he was killed by the help and money from the villagers. No one knew his name, and no one ever found out. It is speculated in the book Who was the Sailor murdered at Hindhead 1786 from 2000 by Peter Moorey that his name was Edward Hardman, born in 1752 in Lambeth, London.

Sailor’s Stone: Photo of reverse side of Sailor’s Stone on Gibbet Hill, where the curse is written.// Source: Wikimedia

Another stone, The Sailor’s Stone was put up near Cosford Mill, close to where the murder had happened. When it was put up, it had an inscription that said:

THIS STONE
was Erected
by order and at
the cost of
James Stilwell Esqr.
of
Cosford
1786
Cursed be the Man who injureth
or removeth this Stone

This made the local people superstitious about the stone as well as the surrounding area. Was this truly the devil’s place? Was the sailor haunting it, or perhaps even the murderers that were hanged just up on the hill?

They tried to put up a Celtic Cross on Gibbet Hill where the scaffold the hanged murderers had been that said: “Light after darkness. Peace in passing away. Hope in light. Salvation after death.” They did this to put an end to the legends and superstitions that the villagers were convinced of. But did this help at all though? After all, people still sometimes claim to see something that looks like a lonesome wanderer where the nameless sailor died. 

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References:

Featured Image: Wikimedia

Devil’s Punch Bowl – Wikipedia 

Unknown Sailor – Wikipedia 

The History of Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl 

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The Haunted History of Sierra Sky Ranch in Yosemite

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The old Sierra Sky Ranch in the Sierra Nevada Mountains has had many people coming and going. From the tragic death of a farm hand to the victims of terminally ill tuberculosis patients, this historical hotel has some guests that never checked out. 

The Sierra Sky Ranch has stood witness to the ebb and flow of time ten miles from the south entrance to Yosemite National Park since its inception in 1875 and the original ranch house from 1900.

What began as a humble cattle ranch in the Sierra Nevada Mountains ended up as the area’s largest one before metamorphosed into a sanatorium for those afflicted by the scourge of tuberculosis in the 1930s until the 1940s. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

The corridors of Sierra Sky Ranch echoed with the footsteps of children, innocent souls grappling with a relentless disease. From its time as a sanatorium it housed terminally ill patients until after the second world war when it was a halfway house for survivors.

Sierra Sky Ranch: The old ranch house has gone through many stages and today it operates as a hotel. According to sone, it is also a haunted hotel. //Source

Transitioning through the years, the ranch extended its healing touch to World War II veterans before evolving into the 29-room hotel it is today—a hotel that not only provides shelter to the living but also harbors the lingering spirits of the past.

Mostly the guests notice that a ghost could be haunting the room because of the smell of a perfume without anyone there, a piano that starts playing by itself and mysterious cloud-like things entering the room. There are also strange silhouettes that make guests and staff believe that the hotel is at least haunted by five different ghosts. 

The Ghost of the Farm Hand Elmer

The first and most likely the oldest ghost haunting the Sierra Sky Ranch hotel is thought to be Elmer, who was the original ranch hand when the ranch first opened. 

It is said old Elmer spent so much time in solitude and he started to drink and ended his life by hanging himself in a back tree at the property. Why he did as he did, no one knows, some claim that his home was sold off and he had no place to go. 

Another version of this story is that his ax slipped when chopping wood and he severed the main artery in his legs. He called for help but no one heard him and he bled to death. 

Many claim they can still hear his boots walking in the halls as well feeling a certain presence when they drink at the bar at Sierra Sky Ranch. 

The Haunted Bar: By the old bar at Sierra Sky Ranch it is believed that the old Elmer is haunting and has been seen wandering by the guests and staff. Source

The Ghost of the Nurse Sarah

Another ghost said to haunt the ranch is from the time when Sierra Sky Ranch was used as a sanatorium. Sarah was supposedly a nurse tending to the terminal patients and said to have a kind and calm presence, even in the way she is haunting the place. 

It is this ghost people write mostly about in the red guest book they use to collect all the strange and ghostly encounters guests have at Sierra Sky Ranch.  

The Ghosts of the Sickly Children

Sierra Sky Ranch is no stranger to the whispers of the supernatural, with reports of spectral activity painting an eerie portrait of its haunted legacy. At the heart of these ethereal tales are the “phantom children,” spirits of a bygone era who continue to frolic and play within the confines of the hotel. Guests and staff alike recount the unmistakable sounds of giggles and whispers reverberating through the halls.

A pair of ghosts are said to have been siblings in life, and are haunting together in their afterlife. They are said to be mischievous children that are playing and moving objects as the sound of them laughing and running is heard. 

Guests complain about the sound of children when there is no one there, or wake up and find two ghostly small silhouettes by the end of their beds. Staff finds doors they closed opened and objects around the hotel misplaced. 

A Night at the Haunted Sierra Sky Ranch

In the quiet corners and dimly lit corridors of Sierra Sky Ranch, the past asserts its presence as more and more ghosts are talked about. A World War II soldier in the library, ghosts from its Hollywood heydays as a luxury resort in the honeymoon suits. 

Read More: Check out all Haunted Hotels from around the world

As guests traverse the realms of the living and the spectral, the haunted history of this Yosemite haven continues to unfold—a testament to the enduring legacy of those who once sought refuge within its walls.

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References:

Weird Fresno: The ghosts and legends of Sierra Sky Ranch 

A Halloween Tale From Sierra Sky Ranch