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Verge del Toro Hospital and the Night it Became Haunted

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One night the Spanish Civil Guard were called out to strange things happening at the old Verge del Toro Hospital in Spain. When they got there, they experienced what they claim was an extreme haunting from the ghosts of the former patients. 

On the island of Menorca there was a hospital that closed in 2007 after the New Mateu Orfila General Hospital opened on Menorca. The hospital in the city of Mahon had operated for over 60 years before closing its doors. 

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

The hospital became a well known haunted hospital after they did a segment on the place on the Cuarto Milenio program that showcases different allegedly haunted locations and ghost stories in 2012. 

The story was told of Daniel, in the civil guard from Menorca that had visited the closed hospital five years earlier.

The Night of the Haunting at the Hospital of Verge del Toro

On November 1st in 2007 the Spanish Civil Guard as well as the police got a call for someone breaking in  around half past two in the morning and they went in after a warning for the night security working in the building. 

At this time, the Verge del Toro hospital had already been abandoned for a couple of months, the windows were dark, the doors locked.

A patrol of two agents arrived shortly after and went from room to room to find the ones breaking in but found no one. When they were on the ground floor however, they heard a macabre laughter and whispers coming from the upper floors. 

When they were standing outside of the hospital they could see how the lights in the former hospital went on and off for no reason and shadows appeared and disappeared in the windows.

The guards called for backup and four Civil Guard agents as well as two from the National Police Corpse that just happened to be walking by were tasked to inspect the hospital further. 

They went in again, both by the stairs and the elevators from first to fifth floor to find those laughing and pranking in the empty hospital, but found no one. 

Daniel told the TV-program that they believed those breaking in at the Verge del Toro hospital hid and that further steps were needed to get to the bottom of the strange things happening in the abandoned hospital. 

On the third inspection when they went in full force with even police dogs with them they finally realized that not everything was as it should and the strange things happening was not the work of people that had broken in. 

When they went up to the 5th floor they had already inspected two times, they found that the heavy beds and furniture like lamps were dragged across the rooms and the doors to the cabinets were opened up. The furniture was too heavy to be moved in the ten minutes they left the room, according to Daniel. 

They tried to get the highly trained police dogs to come along with them to the top floor in the elevator. The dogs had been perfectly fine up to this point, but started crying when in the elevator and refused to go out when they reached the top floor. Not even when the owner threw their favorite toys into the corridor they managed to get the dog out. The owner claimed that usually the dog would have gone to the bottom of the sea to look for the toy. But not out in this haunted corridor. 

The Woman in White

It was then they saw her, on their fourth attempt to find out what was happening there. Hidden in the corner they saw the shadow of a very strange woman, almost as if covering in the shadows around 20 to 25 meters away from them. 

The agents asked her to identify herself and get out with her hands up. They get no response from the strange woman. They ask again and tell that they will draw their weapons if she disobeys and threatens them in any way. 

Then the woman is said to have just suddenly disappeared into thin air right before their eyes. This was even with the windows and the doors of the hospital blocked off and agents at all of the exits. There was simply no physical reason to disappear from the place. 

The Neighbours Spotting the Ghosts

It is said that that night was not the only night when something strange occurred in the hospital. Several months after the episode had aired on TV, the residents of the Tanques del Carme neighborhood next to the hospital experienced somethings strange as well when they noticed that again strange things were happening to the lights in the otherwise dark fromer hospital. 

After many years of controversies over what to do with the building, they decided to reform it into a socio-health center in 2019, and is still undergoing remodeling. 

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

After the strange events at the Verge del Toro hospital right after its closing, the people that went that night still have no rational explanation for what happened. 

The 5th floor used to be reserved for people with psychiatric problems and people think that it must have been a former patient there. Did she come back after the Verge del Toro hospital closed down for some reason? Or was it so that she really came back from the dead?

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References:

Que los vecinos vieran una ventana iluminada en antiguo hospital Verge del Toro…

Este hospital está encantado según la Guardia Civil | Baleares | elmundo.es

Hospital Verge del Toro – Viquipèdia, l’enciclopèdia lliure

Road trip through the gloomiest haunted houses in Spain

¿Fenómenos paranormales en el antiguo hospital de Maó?

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The Katyn Massacre and Hauntings in the Smolensk Forest

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Close to Smolensk in Russia, the Katyn Forest hides horrible war atrocities known as the Katyn Massacre. The horrible smudge on the beautiful forest has made some think that this could be one of the more haunted forests there is.  

The Katyn Forest in Russia is found around 20 kilometers west of Smolensk, one of the oldest cities in Russia. Although the true name is the Katyn Forest, it is often called Smolensk Forest instead.

This rural forest area conceals the painful memories of one of World War II’s darkest chapters—the Katyn Massacre. In 1940, thousands of Polish prisoners of war, including military officers, intellectuals, and cultural figures, were systematically executed by Soviet forces under Joseph Stalin’s orders together with Voroshilov Mikoyan and Molotov. 

The very name, Katyn could be of the Belarusian and Ukrainian word, Kat, meaning executioner and even in historical writings, Katyn forest was a place for executions. For how far back is unknown. The atrocity left an indelible mark on the landscape, and many believe that the spirits of those who perished continue to linger, haunting the depths of the Smolensk Forest.

Katyn Forest. The forest is often called the Smolensk Forest and is by many thought to be haunted. This is from Katyn Memorial (including Polish War Cementery)//Source

The Katyn Massacre

The Katyn Massacre, named after the Katyn Forest near Smolensk, was a brutal act of political repression executed by the Soviet NKVD. More than 4443 Polish army officers were found in the Smolensk Forest in 1943, found by the Germans that occupied the area from 1941. 

The rest of the 11000 Polish officers that were taken prisoners by the Soviets, were never heard of again. Presumably they too suffered a deadly fate and were buried in mass graves in another killing field like the one in Smolensk Forest.

The Katyn Massacre: Thousands of Polish military officers, intelligentsia, and civilian prisoners were executed by the Soviet Union’s in the spring of 1940. The massacre took place in the Katyn Forest and other Soviet prison sites. The Soviet Union blamed Nazi Germany for the atrocity. The truth about the Katyn Massacre remained hidden for decades due to Soviet propaganda, and it strained Polish-Soviet relations for many years.

The victims were shot in the back of the head and hastily buried in mass graves. For years, the Soviet Union denied responsibility, blaming the Nazis for the massacre. It wasn’t until 1990 that the Russian government by Mikhail Gorbachev officially acknowledged Soviet guilt, marking a crucial step toward historical truth and reconciliation.

In addition to the Polish prisoners, there are some soviet sources claiming that around 500 bolsheviks were killed in these woods by the nazi Germans as well as it having being found graves of people most likely killed by the soviets in the 1920s and 30s.

Haunted Legends of the Smolensk Forest

The Katyn Forest is shrouded in a melancholic atmosphere, and has become a site of eerie tales and ghostly encounters. You will also find the forest, often called the Smolensk Forest on lists of top haunted forests and the likes, although not many Russian and more local sources write much about hauntings.  

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Haunted Forests around the world.

But some claim that the forest is haunted after the tragedy and harrowing things that happened inside it. Perhaps it even was haunted long before the second world war? They say that you can hear whispers in the wind, mournful cries, and phantom footsteps, suggesting a lingering unrest in the aftermath of the tragedy. Some describe apparitions dressed in tattered military uniforms, wandering through the trees as if searching for justice or closure.

The Memorial Complex

In 2000, a memorial complex dedicated to the victims of the Katyn Massacre was erected in the Smolensk Forest. The site features symbolic sculptures, commemorative plaques, and an atmosphere of solemn remembrance. Visitors report feeling an overwhelming sense of sorrow and reverence, as if the spirits of the fallen are still present, seeking acknowledgment and remembrance.

The Katyn Massacre was not the last Polish tragedy that happened in this area though. In 2010 a Polish plane with the Polish president Lech Kaczynski was flying to visit this memorial in honor of the 70 year anniversary for the massacre. The plane went down close to Smolensk and he died.

The Haunted Katyn Forest by Smolensk

The Katyn Forest stands as a poignant testament to the profound impact of war and human suffering. The Katyn Massacre’s haunting legacy, intertwined with the forest’s history as a place of executions and mass graves, serves as a reminder of the importance of historical truth and collective remembrance. 

As visitors explore this somber landscape, they are confronted not only by the echoes of tragedy but also by the enduring spirits that beckon for acknowledgment, urging the world never to forget the atrocities committed in the heart of the Katyn Forest.

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References:

The Ghosts of Katyn Forest – Los Angeles Times 

Катынский лес — Википедия 

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The Ghostly Legends of Malahide Castle

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Some ghosts have one residential ghost, others have several. This is the case with Malahide Castle in Ireland that houses at least five different ghosts, each with their own tragic story and end. 

Malahide Castle, or Caisleán Mhullach Íde, is a medieval marvel situated just nine miles north of Dublin’s bustling city center, has been a bastion of the Talbot family for nearly eight centuries. 

Today you can visit the castle on guided tours, and walk in the gardens that have turned into parks, a cricket field and a concert venue. 

Yet, beneath its centuries-old walls and majestic turrets lies a darker, ghostly history, making it one of Ireland’s most renowned haunted castles with at least five known residential ghosts.

Malahide Castle History

The castle’s storied history is as fascinating as its spectral residents. Originally granted to Richard Talbot in 1185, the castle’s oldest section dates back to the 12th century. It remained in the possession of the Talbot family for almost eight centuries, with various additions made during the reign of Edward IV, including the addition of two impressive towers.

The castle has witnessed its share of grimm episodes, such as the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, where fourteen family members gathered for breakfast only to meet their tragic end by dinnertime after they died in the battle. 

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

After the passing of Lord Milo Talbot in 1973, the castle’s ownership was transferred to his sister, Rose, who eventually sold it to the Irish state in 1975 to offset taxes. While many of the castle’s contents were dispersed to the public, some were recovered, preserving the rich history of Malahide Castle for generations to come.

Malahide Castle stands as a testament to both the grandeur of Ireland’s medieval past and the enduring allure of its supernatural mysteries, making it an essential destination for history enthusiasts and ghost hunters alike.

Malahide Castle Ghosts

The castle’s rich and often turbulent 800-year history has given rise to many spectral inhabitants that are said to still linger within the walls. Among them, at least five ghostly apparitions are said to roam the castle’s hallowed halls.

Lady Maud Plunkett

Lady Maud Plunkett is one of the ghostly presences in Malahide Castle. Her spirit reenacts the day of her marriage to a Lord Chief Justice, chasing her husband’s ghost through the castle’s labyrinthine corridors. He was her third husband and it is said that Maud was a very possessive woman then, some even say she was abusive. 

She was the daughter of the Baron of Killeen. She fell in love with a young soldier named Walter Hussey who was Lord Galtrim. On their wedding day Lord Galtrim was attacked when he was on his way to the wedding by a rival and was stabbed to death. 

Another version of the legend is that they were wed on the morning of Whit Monday in 1429. Only a few hours later he was killed in battle.

After this it is said that Lord Galtrim is also haunting the castle, because he is bitter that Maud wed his rival right after his death that she is still chasing to this day.

The Ghost of Puck

Puck, the ghost of a jester with dwarfism that also was a watchman that lived in one of the towers of the castle. Puck fell in love with Lady Elenora Fitzgerald, who was held captive at the castle by Henry VIII for inciting rebellions. 

Some say he hanged himself after he failed to do his duties, or because he was rejected. But most claim that the jester was murdered. 

One snowy December night, Puck was found lifeless, stabbed in the heart, still adorned in his jester’s attire. Before his death, he vowed to haunt the castle until a master from the common people married into the Talbot family. Astonishingly, he swore not to harm any male Talbot sleeping within the castle’s walls. 

It is said that his ghosts act as a more protective spirit though, and he was known for appearing a lot in the 1970s, when a lot of the things inside the castle were sold. 

Visitors have claimed to capture his eerie visage in photographs taken within the castle. Even the famous singer Lizzo claimed that Puck was the one that took her phone when she visited the castle.

The White Lady

What castle is complete without its ghost of the Lady in White, and Malahide Castle is no exception. The enigmatic White Lady, depicted in a captivating portrait hanging in the Great Wall of the castle, is another famous specter of Malahide Castle. 

Read More: Check out all of the Haunted Castle’s from around the world

This beautiful yet unknown lady is said to step out of her painting and wander through the castle grounds, particularly during the moonlit hours clad in all white. Her ethereal presence has been witnessed by countless visitors over the years.

The Ghost of Miles Corbett

Lastly, the ghost of Miles Corbett adds a haunting dimension to Malahide Castle’s history. Oliver Cromwell granted Corbett ownership of the castle and its surrounding lands from 1649 to 1660, following the conquest of Ireland. 

However, upon Cromwell’s death, Corbett was tried and hanged for his deeds during his tenure at the castle and during Cromwell’s reign in April in 1662. He was used as an example for what happened to those conspiring against the throne and after being hanged he was quartered. He was one of those that signed for King Charles I death warrant. 

His ghost is said to appear on his death anniversary. He is often seen as a complete soldier in armor before disintegrating into four pieces.

The Haunting Malahide Castle

In conclusion, the legends and ghostly tales surrounding Malahide Castle in Ireland have captivated visitors for centuries. This medieval fortress, steeped in history and tragedy, stands as a testament to the enduring allure of the supernatural.

As visitors explore the castle’s halls, they may encounter the ghostly presence of Lady Maud Plunkett, reliving her ill-fated wedding day or the mysterious White Lady, stepping out of her portrait to wander the moonlit grounds. The jester Puck, with his tragic love story, continues to make his mischievous presence known, while Miles Corbett’s ghost reminds us of the turbulent times during Oliver Cromwell’s reign.

These spectral residents add an extra layer of intrigue and mystique to the castle’s already rich history. Their stories and apparitions serve as a reminder of the castle’s past, with its battles, tragedies, and royal connections. It is an enchanting destination that both history enthusiasts and ghost hunters find irresistible.

So, if you dare to venture into the hallowed halls of Malahide Castle, keep your eyes peeled and your senses alert. The spirits of the past may just reveal themselves, whispering stories of long ago, reminding us that history and the supernatural can intertwine in the most fascinating of ways.

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References:

The Ghosts of Malahide Castle, Dublin, Ireland | Haunted Rooms® 

Malahide Castle – Wikipedia 

The Story of Malahide Castle’s Irish Ghosts – Authentic Vacations 

The haunting of Malahide Castle: Scorned lovers, a king killer and a prankster who stole Lizzo’s phone – Dublin Live 

Malahide Castle’s Heartbroken Ghost – IrishShop.com

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The Ghosts of the White Plague Haunting the Alfaguara Sanatorium

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In the ruins of Alfaguara Sanatorium, also known as The Berta Hospital in Spain they tried as many sanatoriums did, to cure tuberculosis. It is said the victims of the white plague are still haunting the ground as well as the founder of the hospital.  

One of the smallest haunted hospitals in Spain is known for its long history of ghost sightings and paranormal activity. This hospital has been abandoned for many years and has become a popular destination for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers alike.

In Granada there was a sanatorium that was built in 1923 to help with the rising problem of tuberculosis in wartime at the beginning of the 20th century and operated as a hospital until it closed in 1940. 

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

At the hospital’s inauguration the archbishop, the military governor and representatives of the city council of Granada with a large audience helped open the hospital. The furniture was even donated by Queen Victoria Eugenia who served as the president of the Red Cross for Ladies. Later the hospital was abandoned and forgotten except for the ghosts said to roam in the ruins. 

The Old Alfaguara Sanatorium

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. 

Tuberculosis was one of the deadliest illnesses in Europe at the turn of the century and was often known as the white plague and is one of the oldest diseases we have proof of.

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. 

Trying to Cure Tuberculosis

The Alfaguara Sanatorium was built with the money of a German Lady, Berta Wilhelmi, a philanthropist and was also known as the Berta Hospital. It was built in the area of what is now known as the heart of the Sierra de Huetor Natural Park in the mountain range, surrounded by Mediterranean and pine forest and fresh air in the mountains, something that was especially good for tuberculosis patients. 

Berta Wilhelmi was a businesswoman and philanthropist who had settled in Granada in 1870 when she was a child after moving from Heilbronn, Germany after the family mill had burnt to the ground and they went to Spain to start again. 

She had a brother who was named Luis who passed away from tuberculosis when he was only 12 years old and to cure people from it was close to her heart. 

This is why she invested a huge amount of her personal fortune into building a hospital that could help prevent further death from this disease. 

The Berta Hospital

Together with some doctors they built a new hospital to help with the rise of tuberculosis in the region. Tuberculosis was a dangerous illness at this time and spread fast in the overcrowded time of the early industrialization of the world and the approaching civil war that turned it into an epidemic. 

Most patients didn’t pay for their stay as it was first and foremost a philanthropic project for Berta and those who did pay paid three pesetas for their board at the hospital. 

The small hospital of Alfaguara Sanatorium was made to house 24 patients, and they also made a preventorium to house children in addition later. They stayed in their own pavilion named after Berta’s own son that passed away in 1925. 

She was well known for this type of work, and had also founded schools and was the director for the hospital until her death in 1934. And for the believers of the paranormal, some claim that her ghost is still roaming the place and looking out for it. 

The Ruins of the Hospital

The ruins of the building of Alfaguara Sanatorium are pretty hidden away and are today mostly rubbles and ruins you have to reach by foot up the mountain. 

The rumors say the sanatorium closed down for unknown reasons. What we do know is that the Spanish Civil War was raging at the time and the hospital was very close to one of the fronts and trenches by the Toriles fort near the town of Cogollos.

At one point in 1939 the hospital had more than 60 armed soldiers inside the compound and the scars of the Civil War in Spain are still felt by the nation where thousands of people died for their ideologies.

In the postwar times it was completely abandoned, but has been protected as a part of the forest conservation program of the Natural Park where it is in. 

The Ghosts of the Alfaguara Sanatorium

Today Alfaguara Sanatorium is known as a haunted place that draws hiking ghost hunters to see the ruins for themselves and do an investigation of the place. People that have visited claim to have seen ghostly silhouettes in the ruins and heard voices of the people that used to live there. 

Who are the ghosts that are said to haunt the place? A fact is that many of the tuberculosis patients didn’t make it, and some claim that it is the spirits of the patients taken by the white plague that is haunting the place. 

Considering Alfaguara Sanatorium role in the Spanish Civil War as well, some speculate that there were victims of war that ended their days inside of the hospital.  

Could it be Berta herself who is haunting her old hospital she poured her passion and love into just to see it crumble just a couple of decades after she built it?  

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References:

Se cumplen cien años del sanatorio de la Alfaguara

SANATORIO ANTITUBERCULOSO DE ALFAGUARA – GRANADA

Sanatorio y Dispensario de la Alfaguara – Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Road trip through the gloomiest haunted houses in Spain

Berta Wilhelmi y el sanatorio antituberculoso de la Alfaguara | Gomeres

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The Haunted Aldridge Sawmill Ghost Town in Angelina National Forest

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The now deserted ghost town deep inside of the Angelina National Forest in Texas was once a prosperous lumber town. Today the only residents of the Aldridge Sawmill ghost town said to remain are the ghosts of those that ended their life in one of the many freak accidents.

The Angelina National Forest in Texas harbors more than the tranquil beauty of nature of pine and loblolly trees. In the midst of the forest, it houses a haunting history that whispers through the rustling leaves and echoes within the remnants of a once-thriving sawmill town that reminds of Texas’ once thriving timber industry. 

Read more: Check out all ghost stories from USA

Now you can find the graffiti covered ghost town of it deep in the Angelina National Forest in Jasper country, not too far from the Neches River. According to local legends, it said that some of the people living there never really left. 

A Sawmill Town’s Demise of Aldridge Sawmill

In the early 1900s, Angelina National Forest thrived as a sawmill town, bustling with over 1,000 residents around Aldridge Sawmill. At the height it had its own post office, shop, hotel, school, saloons as well as its own train station. 

However, this prosperity was marred by calamities and according to history, the community was often an unhappy one. In 1911 the original mill was destroyed by fire, most likely arson by unhappy workers as it was a dangerous job, often with little pay. It was rebuilt but the mill was once again destroyed in a fire in 1914 and 15. The mill shut down in the early 1920s and people started to leave this once prosperous town.

Left in the aftermath was a silent and eerie ghost town, as residents fled the specter of disaster, abandoning homes and dreams in the process. The last one of the townspeople left in the mid 1920s and only some of the structures of the town can be seen today. Even the rail tracks were torn apart, and today, the only way to the ghost town is by hiking through the forest. 

Echoes of a Tragic Past in Angelina National Forest

Even though no one lives there anymore, hikers and campers claim to have seen and heard something move around the old mill community and local legends and ghost stories have emerged in the century after the town was abandoned to be consumed by the Angelina National Forest

Read More: Check of all stories from Haunted Forests

Hikers threading the forest paths claim to hear the disembodied dying screams of a young woman—a former resident who met an untimely end in a freak accident while visiting her boyfriend at the ill-fated sawmill. 

The story of the woman’s tragic demise at the dilapidated mill has been a source of chilling fascination for those familiar with the local lore. According to the haunting tale, the woman met her untimely end after getting too close to the saw and becoming entangled in its merciless blades, resulting in a painfully grotesque fate. It is said that her spectral presence now wanders the crumbling confines of the old mill, serving as a haunting reminder of the calamity that befell the once-thriving community. The harrowing legend of her demise has woven itself into the fabric of local folklore, perpetuating the eerie mystique of the abandoned mill and captivating the imagination of those drawn to tales of the supernatural.

Ghosts Among the Trees

The abandoned ghost town around Aldridge Sawmill stands desolate in the Angelina National Forest, the century old structure covered by graffiti and trashed by hikers. It’s not supposed to be anyone there, but if you by chance hear someone scream in the night, it is someone that is not supposed to be there at all. As the moon rises in the darkened sky, casting an eerie glow over the dilapidated buildings, the echoes of the past seem to linger in the air.

The whispers of the trees and the creaking of the old wooden beams create an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue, as if the spirits of the ghost town were still lingering among the ruins. Visitors recount tales of strange sightings and unexplained phenomena, adding to the mystique and allure of this forgotten place. The history of Aldridge Sawmill and the surrounding ghost town is shrouded in enigma, drawing in those who seek to uncover its secrets, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the otherworldly presence said to inhabit the desolate remains.

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References:

A Sawmill Ghost Town Aldridge, Texas 

East Texas Throwback: Ruins of Aldridge sawmill town hidden away in Angelina National Forest

SOUTHEAST TEXAS TALES: Crumbling walls all that’s left of Jasper County sawmill  

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Cork District Mental Hospital and its Horrible History

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What former asylum doesn’t have a haunted reputation? The Cork District Mental Hospital has gone under many names, but with the same hauntingly horrible reputation where the living conditions, treatments and life of the patients still linger as a dark shadow over the place.

In the heart of County Cork, Ireland, stands a place that has long stirred both curiosity and fear—a site where the echoes of the past reverberate with chilling tales and lingering apparitions. Cork District Mental Hospital, also known by various names like Our Lady’s Hospital, Eglinton Lunatic Asylum, St. Kevin’s Hospital as well as the Irish name, Ospidéal Mhuire has cemented its status as a place where the line between the living and the spectral blurs into the realm of the unexplained.

Cork District Mental Hospital, with its tangled history and evolving identity, has become synonymous with the supernatural and is reportedly haunted according to those that visit the ominous looking building overlooking the river Lee. 

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

In the days when it was known as Eglinton Lunatic Asylum, it served as a place of refuge for those grappling with the unfathomable complexities of the human mind. The halls of the asylum bore witness to countless stories of suffering and despair, as patients sought solace within its walls. As the institution evolved, so did the ghostly legends that became intertwined with its history.

The Asylum with Horrible Living Conditions

It wasn’t just a place of healing though, as the asylum grappled with the same thing a lot of other institutions did, overcrowding being a main factor. Reports done by the inspector of mental hospitals said it was a vermin-infested and dark place, the rooms were dirty and some of the patients were incarcerated after being guilty of nothing and had no reason for being locked up there. 

In the 1930s they reported there were no soap or towels for the patients, and no curtains covering the windows that were covered by plywood instead. There weren’t even toilet seats and the bathroom was dirty. 

Read More: Check out Hauntings at the Weston State Hospital or the Trans-Allegheny Asylum, Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital and Poveglia Island — The Most Haunted Place in the World as well.

The patients had to spend their own money and buy washing machines the female patients in one ward could use. In 1937, the Cork Examiner described it as a chapter of horrors and a total disgrace in terms of taking care of patients. 

The Asylum turned to Apartments

Deinstitutionalization heralded the closure of the asylum, marking the end of an era in psychiatric care when it closed its doors in 1992. Some long term blocks remained open until 2009. Even then the conditions were said to have been horrible for the day’s standard. 

The once-imposing structure was transformed into a residential area, its walls no longer holding the tormented souls of its former residents. However, tales of the supernatural lingered on, etching themselves into the collective memory of County Cork.

The Haunting of the Asylum

Even today, as modernity has taken root in the former asylum’s grounds, whispers of apparitions, disturbing sounds, and ungodly atmospheres persist. The stories of those who once sought refuge within these walls refuse to fade away, leaving behind an undeniable aura of unease.

When a devastating fire destroyed much of the building in 2017, people remembered just how dark the story of the old building comes with.  The boundaries between the past and the present blur as they traverse its now-residential streets, allowing the spectral echoes of the institution’s past to wash over them.

People have on several platforms shared their stories about the strange things they encountered when they used to work there, or visited after it was closed. Some things, sounds and sights were just unexplainable and many believe it to be haunted. 

Cork District Mental Hospital, County Cork’s haunting relic, continues to captivate and terrify in equal measure. It stands as a place where history and the supernatural coexist, where the ghosts of the past refuse to rest, and where the unexplained continues to send shivers down the spine of those who dare to explore its shadowy corridors.

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References:

Our Lady’s Hospital, Cork – Wikipedia 

History of St Kevin’s: A mental health institution that incarcerated innocent people in filthy conditions

The ghosts of Eglinton Asylum 

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The Lady in White Haunting the Parador Sigüenza Castle

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It is said that the former castle is haunted by Doña Blanca de Borbón, a French woman who was married off to the lord of the castle in a miserable marriage for them both. She was assassinated in the end and are said to haunt the halls of Parador Sigüenza Castle

Shrouded in mystery and intrigue we find the haunted history of Parador Sigüenza Castle located in the breathtaking landscapes of Guadalajara in Spain, this ancient fortress has witnessed centuries of tumultuous events, leaving behind a trail of ghostly tales and legends. 

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

From the eerie apparitions that wander its dimly lit corridors to the bone-chilling whispers that echo through its grand halls, Parador Sigüenza Castle has become a haven for thrill-seekers and lovers of the supernatural. 

Parador Hotels in Spain

This former castle is now a part of the National Parador Hotel chain that takes historic sites and turns them into hotels you can stay in and experience the rich history of the building. Spain is renowned for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and unique cultural heritage. Among the many treasures that the country holds, Parador Hotels stand out as true gems. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories set in Haunted Hotels

These hotels are often housed in historic buildings, such as castles, monasteries, and palaces, offering visitors a chance to experience the past in a truly immersive way. Parador Sigüenza Castle is one such remarkable property, located in the Guadalajara Province in the heart of Spain was transformed into a hotel in the 1970s. 

Parador Sigüenza Castle: Source: José Ibañez/wikimedia

Situated atop a hill, with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, this castle-turned-hotel captures the imagination of all who visit. But behind its picturesque facade lies a haunting history that continues to captivate guests and locals alike.

The Guadalajara Province, where Parador Sigüenza Castle is located, is known for its rugged beauty and medieval charm. This region is steeped in history, with ancient castles and fortresses dotting the landscape. 

History of Castle of the Bishops of Sigüenza

The castle of the Bishops of Sigüenza, now the Parador Sigüenza Castle, is one such prominent landmark. The Castle Palace of the Bishops of Sigüenza is so called because it was the official residence of the Bishops until the middle of the 19th century. Its origins date back to the 12th century when it was constructed as a defensive stronghold. Over the centuries, it has witnessed numerous battles, political upheavals, and personal tragedies, all of which have contributed to its reputation as a place of restless spirits and ghostly encounters.

Throughout the centuries, the castle witnessed numerous battles and sieges, with each event leaving its mark on the fortress. From the War of Spanish Succession to the Napoleonic invasion, the castle endured a series of turbulent times. These historical events have since become intertwined with the castle’s haunted reputation, as the spirits of those who perished during these conflicts are said to still wander its halls.

More than once the guests staying in the hotel have claimed to have seen ghosts. 

The Lady in White of the Castle

One of the most famous ghost stories associated with Parador Sigüenza Castle is the tale of the “Lady in White.” According to witnesses, a ghostly figure dressed in a flowing white gown has been spotted wandering the castle’s corridors late at night. Some believe this apparition to be the spirit of Doña Blanca de Borbón. 

Visitors have claimed to hear disembodied voices, whispers, and footsteps echoing through the empty halls. Some have even captured unexplained orbs and apparitions in their photographs.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories set in Haunted Castles and Fortresses

Numerous witnesses have reported seeing the Lady in White, with some claiming to have had direct interactions with her. Visitors have also described peculiar sensations, such as sudden drops in temperature and feelings of being watched. There are also those who claim to have been woken up in their sleep of the clanking of chains coming from the corridor. 

The Tragic Life and Death of Doña Blanca de Borbón

It is believed that the ghost haunting the former castle is that of Doña Blanca de Borbón (1339-1361). She was a French noblewoman and the Queen consort of Castile. According to the tales, Pedro I of Castile incarcerated his wife Doña Blanca in the castle in 1355, to prevent her from serving to aid the nobles who wanted to overthrow him. He was later nicknamed Pedro the Cruel. 

She never wanted the marriage, but was forced by her father as well as the rest of her family to accept her faith. Her husband already had a lover and she was already a widow with no wish for another marriage to a strange man. 

Her husband also did not want to marry her because the King of France had trouble paying for her dowry. But political plots made her and they were wed and their wedding ceremony was held in Valladolid. 

The marriage failed though and she was cast aside only three days into the sham marriage. He abandoned her and fled with his lover instead.

When civil war broke out in Castile though the king ordered her to go into hiding. She decided to leave the place she was confined to and took refuge in a Cathedral to organize her followers and finance her cause in spite of her husband. They were now on opposite sides. She was then confined to the castle for years before being transferred to El Puerto de Santa Maria to prevent her being released to the Aragonese side that was fighting against the Castile. 

She was eventually assassinated by poison by the Castile side, either from the King’s personal doctor or even by an arrow to her heart by a crossbowman that had just become a new warden. She only got to live for 25 years before  being used as a plot for territory amongst two strange nations. Her last words were:  “Tell me Castilla, what have I done to you?”

There are also those thinking that she actually died in the dungeon her husband threw her down in the castle, surrounded by his knights. His method was often with a blow to the head which is also one of the theories. 

It is said that ever since, she has been haunting the castle that she was confined to for years. Sobbing as she is dragging her chains across the floors of the oh so wonderful historic hotel. 

A visit to Parador Sigüenza Castle

Parador Sigüenza Castle stands as a testament to the rich history and supernatural allure of Spain. Its haunted past, filled with tragic love stories and restless spirits, continues to captivate the imaginations of visitors and researchers alike. Her final resting place is said to be one of the towers on the premise you still can visit for a 5 euro ticket. 

Whether you believe in the paranormal or simply appreciate the mystique of ancient castles, a visit to Parador Sigüenza Castle is sure to leave you with a sense of wonder and a newfound appreciation for the enduring power of legends. So, step through its gates, wander its haunted halls, and uncover the secrets that lie within. Just remember, you may not be the only one exploring the castle’s past.

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References:

Dormir con un fantasma en parador de Sigüenza | Guía Repsol

SIGÜENZA | NOCHE EN EL PARADOR, HISTORIA E ITINERARIO PROPUESTO – Donde Finaliza el Norte

El castillo de Guadalajara donde el huésped comparte habitación con un fantasma

Visit Castle of Sigüenza | TCLM

The 10 haunted castles in Spain you must visit – Tourtravel & More

Castillo de Sigüenza – Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Blanca de Borbón – Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

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The Haunted Mystique on the Cliffs of Wenlock Edge

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From the cliffs rising above the green landscape in Shropshire, England, the Wenlock Edge houses more than one ghost story etched into the limestone of bandits, soldiers and buried treasures. 

A limestone escarpment draped in deciduous woodlands in Shropshire in England and holds the secrets of centuries past—the infamous Wenlock Edge. It is an 18 mile escarpment of grasslands and woodlands with old quarries and lime kilns from the past along the way and is considered one of the wonders of the English midlands because of its important geology as remains to when the midlands had a warmer climate near the Seychelles.

The Wenlock Edge has also been the site of many legends and ghost stories. Immortalized in A. E. Housman’s poetic verses and steeped in legends, this enchanting forest conceals tales of bandits, lost treasures, and spectral echoes that beckon intrepid visitors to tread with caution through its shadowed glades.

Ippikin’s Stolen Fortune

One of the legends told about this place is a ghost who is rumored to guard the buried treasures of a notorious bandit named Ippikin and one of the outcrops of the cliff is called Ippikin’s Rock.

Apparently he was a 13th century knight, and he spent his days raping and pillaging had a base in a cave on Wenlock Edge. A character etched into local lore, Ippikins stolen wealth of gold and precious stones is said to lie concealed beneath the earth, waiting for those bold enough to seek it out. 

The Ghostly Warning of Ippikin

For those who dare to tempt fate, a chilling encounter with Ippikins ghost awaits. Some of the legends also claim that he had the ability to renew his youth every 70 years as well. But one fateful day a bolt of lightning struck the cave and both him, his band of bandits and his treasure came crashing down, trapping their spirit for an eternity. Other versions says it was a rock that came tumbling down and blocking the entrance to the cave. 

A local superstition warns that if a traveler stands upon Wenlock Edge, repeating the incantation “Ippikin, Ippikin, keep away with your long chin,” they risk the spectral intervention of the outlaw. The consequence? A forceful push off the escarpment by the unseen hand of Ippikin himself, ensuring that visitors tread cautiously in this woodland realm.

Ippikins Rock: Thought to be the place were the buried treasure and the bandits hideout cave is located. The Main Crag at Ippikins Rock Ippikins Rock is the name applied to several outcrops of coralian limestone along the length of Wenlock Edge.Source: Richard Law/Wikimedia

Major Thomas Smallman’s Fateful Leap

Wenlock Edge is not only shrouded in the legend of Ippikin but also bears witness to the ghostly presence of Major Thomas Smallman. A Royalist officer during the English Civil War between 1642 to 1651, Smallman faced a dire predicament as Parliamentarian troops closed in while he carried a crucial dispatch to Shrewsbury. 

Rather than surrender, he made a daring choice—to ride his horse off a cliff. The horse met its demise, but miraculously, Smallman survived, caught by the branches of an apple tree and he made his way on foot to Shrewsbury to deliver the despatches. 

Although he survived the fall in the legend, it is said he returned to Wenlock Edge and his dead horse when he did die. The site of this audacious leap is forever known as Major’s Leap, and it resonates with the lingering spirit of a courageous officer and his steed.

The Cliffs of Wenlock Edge

Wenlock Edge stands dappled sunlight and shifting shadows, with the surrounding forest guarding its secrets, allowing the legends of Ippikin and Major Thomas Smallman to echo through the ages. 

Perhaps even hiding hidden treasures as well as stones and fossils of the truly ancient past.

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References:

BBC – Shropshire – places – Legends: Ippikin, the robber knight of Wenlock Edge 

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Coolbawn House and the Lighting Ghost

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Once a servant at Coolbawn House in Ireland was struck by lightning when she was standing by one of the windows and died from it. Ever since, she has been haunting the old mansion that today is only decaying ruins. 

In the quiet beauty of County Wexford, Ireland, Coolbawn House stands as a solemn testament to a bygone era—a haunting reminder of a dark and eerie history that continues to captivate the imaginations of those who dare to venture near. Amidst the crumbling walls and faded grandeur, Coolbawn House harbors a sinister story that has earned it a reputation as one of Ireland’s most haunted places.

The two-story building had a basement and a distinctive T-shaped layout. The house has been vacant since 1883 and saw occasional use in 1911. Unfortunately, it was sold in 1917 and later suffered a fire in 1923, which has left it in ruins.

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

The roof is missing, and there are granite chimney stacks with octagonal shapes. The exterior walls are partially covered in ivy or creeper and have pinnacle-topped piers at the corners. The main entrance features a square-headed door opening with a granite doorcase.

Inside the house, much of it is in ruins, but you can still see remnants of the original structure, including a staircase. The house is surrounded by overgrown grounds, and there are wrought iron railings around the perimeter.

This house is historically significant, designed by Frederick Darley Junior, and represents the early 19th-century architecture of County Wexford. Despite its ruined state, it still holds architectural value.

Beneath its crumbling façade of Coolbawn House lies a history that unfolds like a chilling Gothic tale of a house that was abandoned in 1883.

The Ghost in the Lightning

Before this though, Coolbawn House was a thriving residence. It was during this prosperous era that tragedy struck in a manner both mysterious and ominous. As the story goes, a servant girl was tragically struck by lightning one fateful evening, while she stood near a window that framed the house’s grandeur.

This horrifying incident would forever mark the house and its surroundings with an eerie aura, etching the servant girl’s presence into the very fabric of Coolbawn House. Witnesses have recounted sightings of her apparition, standing by that very window—a spectral figure forever gazing out at the world beyond. 

Still as only ruins, the legend of the ghost of the servant is said to haunt the shell of the window where she once met her end. 

Coolbawn House Today

Today, Coolbawn House’s ruins bear witness to a past filled with both grandeur and darkness as it burnt down in 1923 and now only the shell of it remains, overlooking the Blackstairs Mountains. Like so many stately homes owned by the British it was burned down by the IRA during the Civil War. 

The green is now taking over the stone, reclaiming it to the green with. As the wind whispers through its crumbling chambers and the shadows play tricks on the imagination, the house continues to beckon those who seek to uncover its ghostly mysteries.

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References:

Featured Image: Mike Searle / Coolbawn House (2) / CC BY-SA 2.0 /Wikimedia

Coolbawn House, COOLBAWN DEMESNE, WEXFORD – Buildings of Ireland 

Coolbawn Castle – Cow House Studios 

Coolbawn House | Haunted Wexford, Ireland | Spirited Isle

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The Haunting Tale of the Crashed Pilot by Wawona Hotel

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It is said that a plane crashed in Yosemite and the pilot was rushed to Wawona Hotel in the park. Although he was quickly found, he died while waiting for a doctor and now it is said that he is haunting the same place he died. 

Amidst the meadows of Yosemite National Park, the historic Wawona Hotel stands as a beacon of hospitality for weary hikers. The Hotel itself opened in 1876 and is just four miles from the Yosemite National Park’s south entry.

Known as Pallachun by the Nootchu native tribe, meaning “a good place to stop,” by the indigenous inhabitants, the site eventually became the setting for a chilling tale that continues to haunt both staff and guests to this day.

The Plane Crash in Yosemite

In the shadow of the Wawona Hotel lies a story shrouded in tragedy—a tale of a pilot whose fate became forever entwined with the rugged landscape of Yosemite in the 1920s. South of the hotel, where the whispering pines cast their long shadows, the pilot’s plane met its untimely end, crashing amidst the towering trees of the national park.

Searching for the Plane: Plane crash in Wawona in 1926 where it said it was 1 killed and 1 injured. Could this be the plane from the legend?

The injured pilot was taken to Moore Cottage, alive but very injured. Moore Cottage is a modest abode nestled on a gentle slope behind the hotel’s main building. With the echoes of his harrowing ordeal reverberating through the air, the injured pilot awaited the arrival of a doctor to tend to his wounds. Yet, fate had other plans, and before medical aid could reach him, the pilot died.

The Haunting of Moore Cottage and Wawona Hotel

However, it seems that the pilot’s spirit never truly checked out of Moore Cottage, lingering in the ethereal realm that veils the boundary between the living and the departed. Over the years, reports have surfaced of ghostly apparitions haunting the hallowed halls of Wawona Hotel, with staff and guests alike bearing witness to the spectral figure of the crashed pilot around the place where he died.

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

Clad in his weathered leather jacket, his cap pulled low over his brow, and his goggles adorned with a white silk scarf fluttering in the wind, the pilot’s ghost is said to roam the grounds of Moore Cottage. He is especially reported about coming down the stairs of the cottage. 

Moore Cottage: The cottage of the hotel is where most guests have spotted the ghost of the pilot from the plane crash. //Source

Who was the Pilot Haunting the Hotel?

There are a couple of questions as to who and when this happened and the true name behind the accident. Did it even happen as most accounts of this story is described as a legend. 

Could it be the 1926 plane crash of LeRoy Jeffers form New York who was said to have been instantly killed? Could it be a plane crash that fits the description we haven’t been able to find yet?

Because, although remote, Wawona had a landing strip for planes. In 1927, an airline company began carrying passengers, mail, newspapers and light freight on 50-minute flights from Merced to Wawona. The airstrip remained operational until 1941, when the government ruled the meadow unsuitable for air traffic.

Despite the passage of time, the echoes of flight still reverberate through the halls of Wawona Hotel, a haunting reminder of the pilot’s tragic demise and the spectral legacy he left behind. As night descends upon the meadows of Yosemite, the ethereal presence of the crashed pilot lingers.

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References:

https://npgallery.nps.gov/YOSE/AssetDetail/7b817503a46542c5bc6c0fbdbc4d96c3?

LeRoy Jeffers, Explorer and Writer, Killed, Comrade Hurt, in Plane Crash in California – The New York Times 

BAHA :: Yosemite’s Wawona Hotel: “A Good Place to Stop” 

Weird Fresno: Is Yosemite’s Wawona Hotel haunted?

Wawona Hotel ‘a good place to stop’ at Yosemite National Park – East Bay Times