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The Pagan Haunting of Die Karlsteine in Osnabrück

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Built on top of pagan settlement, the areas surrounding Die Karlsteine close to the city of Osnabrück in Germany, the spirit of the slaughtered pagans still linger. 

Osnabrück is a city in west Germany of Lower Saxony, founded in 780 by Charlamagne, king of the franks. But before this christian king founded this city, the place used to belong to the pagan Saxons, and it is those who are said to haunt the surrounding area near their once holy places. 

Outside of Osnabrück you will find a big heap of rock that once used to be an important pagan monument known as Die Karlsteine. 

Read More: Check out all of our ghost stories from Germany

Die Karlsteine, also called Schluppstein, is a Neolithic passage grave near Osnabrück, often used as a tomb for entire families. Karlsteine means The Stones of Charlemagne and comes after a legend about the place. 

The Massacre of the Pagans

The place around the city has been settled since the 9th century. First it was the pagan Saxon Engern, that were christened by the Franks in the 800s by Charlemagne. There was a battle between the two camps with Charlamagne on one side and the Saxon lord Widukind on the other.  

According to legend, Charlamagne carried out a massacre at this place where they slaughtered the pagan priests and destroyed their holy graves and altars.  

Charlemagne is said to have smashed Die Karlsteine with a whip after Widukind demanded a divine sign, showing how the pagan style of life was dying and how the Saxons were losing. 

Die Karlsteine: A pagan monument from ancient times that were destroyed by the invasion of Charlemagne and the Christians and the source of the legend. //Source: Sail over/wikimedia

They say that the horror of the massacre of the pagans still lingers around the place, especially around Die Karlsteine. During the important dates for the pagans like during winter solstice they say you can see ors of light floating in the air.

In addition to the strange lights in the dark forest, they are accompanied by the screams of the slaughtered and see their bloodstain on the stones. 

The German Will-O-The-Wisp: Strange floating lights or orbs have been told about in the whole world. In Europe they are deeply connected with pagan roots and old folklore. In Germany they are called Irrlicht or Irrwisch (where Wisch translates to ‘wisp’.) The lights means many thing, everything from a guiding light from a dead soul, to something showing were a treasure is buried or even something more supernatural like a fairy or something else taken from the fairytales.

Kirchlengern Forest

Germany is well known for its thick forests that hide darkness, and Kirchlengern Forest is just the same. The Kirchlengern Forest is not far from Osnabrück and Die Karlsteine and many try to connect the strange things happening to the places. 

There is an area of the forest where the local forester, the police and the locals can’t explain. Since the 12th century, when Germany first started recording in writing, there have been mysterious things happening in the forest. 

Kirchlengern Forest: There is said to be strange things happening in Kirchlengern Forest, and most connects it with its pagan roots. Here from the River Else.// Source: Christian Kortum/Flickr

According to the legends about this place, People visiting the place tell of a feeling of panic gripping them. After you spend some time in the forest you get a sense of being watched by something darker. 

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

The most scary thing though is the missing animals in the forest that are found bloody, and only the remains of them are left around the forest.  

However, when looking around for sources, there are not really many of them despite being on many topp haunted places in Germany lists online. What looks like one of the first mentions of the Horror Forest of Kirchlengern is a short story post from 2005 with no more sources added, leading to believe that the strange occurrences is a thing of fiction. 

The Pagan Legends Haunting the Stones and Forest

The legends and mysteries surrounding Die Karlsteine and Kirchlengern Forest continue to captivate the imaginations of locals and visitors alike. Whether rooted in historical events or embellished by folklore, these stories remind us of the complex tapestry of history and the lingering spirits that may still inhabit these ancient places.

While skeptics may dismiss these tales as mere superstition or fiction, there is no denying the eerie atmosphere and unexplained phenomena that some have experienced in these locations. Whether it’s the chilling sensation of being watched in Kirchlengern Forest or the spectral lights and echoing screams near Die Karlsteine, there is an undeniable presence that lingers.

As modern society moves forward, these stories serve as a reminder of the ancient traditions and beliefs that once held sway in these lands. They remind us that beneath the surface of our sanitized and predictable world, there are still mysteries waiting to be uncovered.

So, whether you are a believer in the supernatural or a skeptic in search of a good ghost story, the haunted legacy of Die Karlsteine and Kirchlengern Forest invites you to explore the dark corners of history and delve into the depths of the unknown. Just be prepared for what you might encounter as you step into the realm of mystery and embark on your own paranormal adventure.

Safe travels and may you find both answers and questions in your quest to uncover the enigmatic tales of Die Karlsteine and Kirchlengern Forest.

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The Old Maternity Hospital Haunts the Building of Cordoba University

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What used to be an old maternity hospital in Spain turned into a faculty of Cordoba University. Both staff working there as well as their students talk about it being haunted by the grieving mothers that lost their life in childbirth. 

Have you ever heard of the mysterious and dark stories of a haunted school in Spain known as University of Córdoba or as it is in Spanish, Universidad de Córdoba? It has become one of the most talked-about topics in recent years due to its eerie atmosphere and paranormal activities.

Universidad de Córdoba is a university in Córdoba, in Andalusia, Spain, that started in 1972, but dates back to the Andalusian region’s Moorish roots.

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

The Cordoba University offers both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in everything from humanities, social sciences, and engineering.

It used to be a lot of things before education and we can trace the building back to the 16th century when it was a convent, an anti tuberculosis sanatorium, a military hospital during the civil war as well as a maternity hospice.

The Old Maternity Hospital

At the faculty of Law, Business and Economics on Puerta Nueva street  the students and staff alike claim it is haunted by ghosts. The building the faculty is in used to be a hospital from the 1700s. 

During the late 80s there was a renovation that brought up the building’s old past and in the 90s there was a lot of talk about the hauntings the story of the building brought with it. And when the building was transformed into a college in the 70s, they found corpses and small bones belonging to babies in the ground. 

The University of Córdoba building used to be a maternity hospital. The ghosts that roam the halls are often said to be women that died in childbirth, and they are seen crying of the loss of their children as well as their own. 

The Haunted Cordoba University: The building that used to be an old maternity hospital is now believed to be haunted by the former patients//Source: Rafael Jiménez/Wikimedia

One particular ghost most seen is a long-haired woman in a white hospital gown. Apparently she had blood on her nightgown no one knows for sure what is from, but most speculate it was from the difficult birth she experienced. She is thought to be one of the women that lost her baby in childbirth and threw herself from the bell tower because she couldn’t bear the pain. 

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 is also said the University of Córdoba is haunted by a soldier from the time it functioned as a soldier hospital during the civil war, angry in his afterlife and threatening to kill everyone that encounters him. 

A lot of poltergeist-like activity like breaking windows and moving objects to scare people have been attributed to this ghost. 

The Staff at Cordoba University Experiencing Paranormal Phenomena

The supposed ghosts are most often witnessed inside the faculty of University of Córdoba by the poor staff that has to remain there when everyone else is gone and darkness falls over the old building. 

The cleaning staff have gotten the most of the paranormal experience and people that have worked there claimed to have been locked inside of the room, objects flying through the room.  

According to one story a cleaner once got a child’s voice calling her name when she was listening to music with headphones. 

Haunting at other Faculties of the Cordoba University

Other faculties under the Cordoba University are the philosophy faculty or Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. It is housed in the baroque building from 1703 that used to be a general hospital called Hospital del Cardenal Salazar in the old Jewish quarter of the city. 

One cleaner in this faculty used to talk with a teacher during his shifts. One day he found out the teacher had been dead for many days, even though they spoke in the school after the teacher passed away. 

People have also talked about seeing lights in the darkened windows, a ghost holding a light while floating past, and children wearing old fashioned clothes running around in the hallways. 

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References:

Los Fantasmas de la Facultad de Derecho y Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales

Terror en las aulas: las historias de fantasmas en la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras de Córdoba

La extraña presencia que se manifiesta en la Universidad de Córdoba y que inquieta a alumnos y profesores – La Noche de Adolfo Arjona – COPE

University of Córdoba (Spain) – Wikipedia

Top Haunted and Mysterious Places in Spain | Scariest Places in Spain to Visit

The 5 most Haunted Places in Spain

Los fantasmas de la Facultad de Derecho de la UCO atemorizan turistas

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The Princess Tomb under the Summer Palace

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In the imperial Summer palace there is supposedly an ancient princess tomb under the Longevity Mountain. When they tried to disturb the grave there, it came with a warning that those who disturbed the peace would read the repercussions for it as well. 

The Summer Palace (颐和园) is more of an ensemble of both lakes, gardens and palaces in Beijing and covers almost 3 square kilometers, mostly water. It dates back to the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty in 1153 when an imperial palace was constructed here. It is perhaps known for being the residence of the infamous Empress Dowager Cixi. 

The Summer Palace is perhaps less known for having some buildings that may or may not hide a soul that may not rest for ever after. 

Read More: Check out all of our ghost stories from China

The Tower of Buddhist Incense (佛香阁; 佛香閣;) or the Fóxiānggé Pavilion is found right in the center of Longevity Mountain. This was a place the Empress Dowager Cixi visited to offer incense and pray when she stayed at the Summer Palace. Originally the Buddhist tower was meant to be a pagoda like the Yellow Crane Tower ub Wuhan ordered by the Qianlong Emperor. 

The plans change however because of fear of supernatural retribution. 

The Legend of the Princess Tomb

There was once an emperor that wanted to build the most beautiful garden in Haidan. According to folklore though, there was already an ancient tomb under Longevity Mountain of a Ming Dynasty Princess. 

It was therefore unwise to move or disturb it, but Emperor Qianglong ignored the warnings against building a garden there, commanding the people to follow his orders. He was not afraid of heaven and earth and certainly not of the ancient princess tomb under the mountain. 

So they dug on the imperial decree, and they found the Princess Tomb with a stone gate to it. Emperor Qianlong heard about it and came to the place to see for himself. Over the gate of the tomb they had found, there were engraved: You don’t move me, I don’t move you! 

When the emperor saw this he was immediately frightened and ordered to cover the Princess Tomb as it had been by refilling the soil and not to disturb anything ever again. 

Instead he built a large temple on the mountain to suppress the ghost that could come back to the afterlife to haunt the one disturbing her peace. 

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https://kknews.cc/story/mmrnkgp.html

颐和园灵异事件：佛香阁竟是为了镇鬼而建？

Summer Palace – Wikipedia 

颐和园灵异事件：佛香阁竟是为了镇鬼而建？ 

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The Ghost Village of So Lo Pun

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In this remote ghost village in Hong Kong, it is said it was deserted after a tragedy that killed most of the villagers. What really happened in So Lo Pun that makes it a desolate place today?

One of Hong Kong’s oldest villages is an abandoned one and the remains are found in a dense forest northeast in the New Territories. 

Hong Kong is perhaps best known for its small living spaces and they have even reclaimed land from the sea to build more space for their residents. In the New Territories that takes up almost 90 percent of Hong Kong’s territory, it only stands for half the population. 

Read More: Check out all our collection of ghost stories from China

Within the many jungles there are plenty of abandoned buildings and whole ghost villages. And some of them have a haunted legend attached to why it’s abandoned. 

The Prosperous Village too far Away

So Lo Pun (鎖羅盆)  is found within the Plover Cove Country Park surrounded by the thick forest. The village was once the home of generations of the Wong family. They migrated from Mainland China and a person named Wong Wai hing was the founding father of the So Lo Pun village around 872 AD. 

This area used to be quite prosperous, with rich and fertile soil, but today it’s seen as an inconvenient way to the more urban areas and therefore not really a place modern people wanted to live. Or could there be something more to this story?

Today the village is completely abandoned and according to many people, also haunted. There are many reasons as to why the village got a haunted reputation. 

The Locked Compass at So Lo Pun

One of those is from the hikers that have been hiking around the Plover Cove Country Park and when entering the village area, the compasses have stopped working. That led to the village being called So Lo Pun that literally means that the compass is locked. 

There are also more wild rumors saying that one of the hikers met a ghost and got so scared he died of a heart attack. 

The Drowned Villagers

But what really happened to this once so prosperous village? It really wasn’t that many decades ago that the residents left. Why did it end up abandoned and reclaimed by the wild after such a long history and generation that called it their home?

Supposedly there was a terrible accident that started the abandonment of the village decades ago. According to this legend, most of the villagers were on a boat on their way to a wedding when tragedy struck and they all died when the boat went down. 

The remaining survivors from the village didn’t want to stay and almost overnight the town was abandoned, leaving haunted rumors behind. 

The Descendants Left

What did and didn’t happen is up for debate, but it is true that the people living in the village eventually packed up their belongings and left for other more urban places in Hong Kong or even foreign nations. 

Supposedly they only return to their ancestral village during the Taiping Qingjiao. But what the true villagers or descendants of the village have to say about the haunted rumors, is unclear.

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References:

So Lo Pun – Wikipedia 

9 of the most haunted places in Hong Kong 

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The Haunted Orphanage Complejo de la Misericordia

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A school and orphanage housing children in need called Complejo de la Misericordia is deemed to be haunted. This school in Spain is said to be haunted by the ghost of the children that lived there and had their life ending too soon inside of the school building. 

There are some buildings that are said to be more haunted than others. Especially a big building that gathered a lot of people with a miserable backstory has a potential to be more haunted than most. 

This is the case with The Complejo de la Misericordia in Valencia on the Spanish east coast that is said to be haunted by the children that ended their life tragically in the building. 

The Complejo de la Misericordia Orphanage and School for Children in Need

It was once an orphanage called Casa de los Pobres de Nuestra Señora de Misericordia in postwar Spain that housed thousands of children in need. The Complejo de la Misericordia was dubbed El Paradis in the 1960s, but only as an ironic name as the place was far from a paradise for those living there. 

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

According to those that grew up in the Casa de los Pobres de Nuestra Señora de Misericordia, or simply the center, in those years, both children that lived there permanently because they had nowhere else to go or temporarily because the parents lacked the means to take care of them at the time.

Although the place was meant to take care of the children most in need, the orphanage was a place with harsh punishments and a string of strange deaths. And even though the children were better off than at home, is it really ok to treat children badly just because they don’t have any other choice?

The Harsh Days at El Paradis

It is said that the food at the Complejo de la Misericordia was scarce, the flu epidemics went around the children that were put into cramped spaces and worst of all, some of the priests at the center were said to have abused the children. 

The Complejo de la Misericordia Orphanage: The old building that used to be an orphanage is thought to be haunted.

There were also cases where a child died under tragic and sometimes even strange circumstances. Some children drowned in the pool and another died after falling down from the third floor window.

“I saw him fall, hitting his head on the iron railing. In the place where there should have been a bronze ball, there was now a four-inch threaded stud that shattered his brain instantly, as it bounced I turned and tried to catch him, but only managed to brush his arm before he slammed into the floor. Cement on the ground in front of the football field, like a limp puppet”

This was written in a blog by a former child that lived there named Ismael Sanchez and it is not really known if this is what really happened, but the child did die. 

It is said that the child’s name was Campos, and it is said that he is still haunting the Complejo de la Misericordia. 

The Complejo de la Misericordia Today

Today the Complejo de la Misericordia, or the House of Mercy as the meaning suggests in Valencia is used by the local university, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia. The building is from the 1600s and was used as a hospice for years.

Today the old orphanage is an educational center and school and has around 4000 students and 200 teachers plus staff attending it on a daily basis and mostly the days just go by as days do. People are minding their own business and there is perhaps not much time and quiet to notice the strange things the people working the early morning or night shifts do? 

The Hauntings at the School

The cleaning staff refuse to work alone at the The Complejo de la Misericordia building because of the haunted rumors that go around the place and more than one of the staff has some unexplainable story about the place. 

In the night they kept hearing strange sounds and voices like children crying and it is said that the light inside turned on and off by itself. 

Read More: Check out the haunted legends from schools all over the world like Madam Koi Koi and The School Hauntings in Nigeria and The Kong Kong Ghost

Paintings on the walls suddenly fall down and the after hours staff are said to be the ones experiencing it all the most and some downright refuse to work the night shifts because of all the paranormal experiences they have had on their job making the rounds. 

The Ghost of the Orphanage: In the old orphanage it is said that it is haunted by the unfortunate souls that died in there.

One time a security guard named Nicolas lost his car keys and asked his wife to pick him up and bring the spare keys after the building was turned into an educational building. This was around 2009 when a lot of the people came forward to tell about their experiences and there was a lot of buzz going around. 

When the wife arrived at the scene to give him his keys she saw a child waving at her from the window. Right by the third story window the child fell from all those years ago. She told her husband about the child, and he told her that there was no way that a child was inside. At least not a living child.

The Haunted Orphanage

The hauntings at the Complejo de la Misericordia continue to intrigue and mystify those who work and study within its historic walls. Despite the passage of time and the transformation of the building into an educational center, the echoes of its tragic past still resonate.

The stories of strange sounds, flickering lights, and unexplained sightings persist, captivating the imaginations of both students and staff. The cleaning staff may refuse to work alone, and some after-hours employees avoid the night shifts altogether, fearing encounters with the paranormal. The painting’s sudden falls and the ghostly cries of children only add to the chilling atmosphere that envelops the school.

Despite the haunted reputation, the school carries on its mission of education and growth. Thousands of students and hundreds of teachers pass through its doors daily, unaware or unconcerned with the paranormal happenings. The bustle of everyday life masks the eerie occurrences that occur during the early hours or late evenings.

As time moves forward, the Complejo de la Misericordia remains a historic landmark, embracing its somber past while striving towards a brighter future. The stories of the children who suffered within its walls serve as a haunting reminder of the importance of compassion and care for those in need.

While the haunted tales of the Complejo de la Misericordia may continue to intrigue and send shivers down the spines of those who hear them, the school remains a place of education and growth, a testament to the power of resilience and human spirit. As the days turn into nights, and the years pass by, the echoes of the past continue to haunt the halls, forever reminding us of the importance of empathy and kindness towards those in need.

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El fantasma de la Misericordia | Las Provincias

El oscuro pasado del orfanato de la Misericordia de València se convierte en una escape room

Las historias paranormales que esconden las paredes de la Casa de la Misericordia de València

Mysterious and Haunted Places in Spain

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Lady Janet Douglas, Ghost of Glamis Castle

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Lady Janet Douglas is said to haunt the Glamis Castle in Scotland after being burned at the stake after being entangled in court politics and being an enemy of the King. 

Glamis Castle is said to have inspired one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Macbeth, a play so haunted you are not supposed to say the title out loud inside of a theater. The old castle is located in Angus, Scotland, not far from Edinburgh and is considered one of Scotland’s most haunted castles.  

There are many mysteries surrounding this place, from the monster of Glamis, the ghost playing cards for the rest of the eternity and many more apparitions and legends. One of the ghosts residing in Glamis Castle is that of Lady Janet Douglas, also called Lady Glamis. 

Lady of the Castle

The story behind Lady Janet Douglas and her death is rooted in the bloody battle for power and revenge in 1500s Scotland. King James V was remembered as the vindictive king and of his paranoid fear of his nobility, leading to the death of many of them, Lady Glamis being one of them. 

King James V had Lady Janet Douglas accused of treason against him, although it was clear that the accusations were false. Her only crime was that she was the sister to the King’s stepfather, Archibal Douglas, Earl of Angus, which the king hated after having been imprisoned by him for years before escaping. 

Lady Janet Douglas: A portrait of the Lady Glamis as she was seen as a great beauty when she lived.

The Douglas and Stewart families had been battling for power in Scotland for generations. When King James V’s mother, Margaret Tudor became a widow, Archibald Douglas married her and took control over the kingdom as King James was just a child. 

Living as Archibald’s prisoner for years and having taken the power away from him, the hatred King James V had for the Douglases grew. His hatred for Angus extended to the whole family and he wanted them gone when he finally escaped. 

Charged for Murder and Treason

In 1528, upon the death of Lady Glamis first husband, John Lyon, 6th Lord of Glamis, Lady Janet Douglas was immediately summoned for treason, accused of supporting the civil war against the King and of poisoning Lyon who died on 17th of September 1528. 

Her being unwed left her vulnerable and a target for the King’s vengeance against her brother. Lady Glamis brother, the king’s stepfather was already exiled and King James had seized all his land and property he was once a prisoner in. Now he sought revenge on the one he could get his hands in.

Charges were eventually dropped, and Lady Glamis were free to go back to Glamis Castle. She went on to marry Archibald Campbell in 1532, having ceased all communication with her brother and the rest of the Douglas clan to prove her innocence in any plot against the King. 

Her Final Arrest

Lady Janet Douglas’ reprieve was short-lived, however, as in 1537, she was once again summoned away from Glamis Castle for treason, and this time the King was going to have her punished. There were several reasons as to why she was picked out, one of the reasons was because of her beauty. She was seen as a unique and one of a kind beauty among the nobles and when her first husband died, she had several suitors. 

One of them was William Lyon, a close friend of her first husband. His obsession for her only grew and when she married Campbell, it turned sour. He started whispering in the king’s ear about her plans to poison him, and the king, looking for any excuse to get back at the Douglases, listened intently. 

Lady Janet Douglas was imprisoned with her husband and her son John in a dungeon of Edinburgh Castle, a castle riddled with rumored ghosts as well. Her husband managed to escape from prison, but was later killed when he was found. 

This time, the charges brought against Lady Glamis included being in secret talks with the Douglas clan, attempting to poison the King. To capture Lady Janet Douglas was easy enough, but to convict her for being a witch was more difficult as Lady Glamis reputation was impeccable and a loved character.  

The Lady Burnt at the Stake

To gather enough evidence for a conviction, King James had Lady Janet Douglas family members and servants imprisoned and tortured until they gave answers that he wanted.

In later years she has been remembered as being an accused witch, but nowhere in her files does it say she was ever accused of witchcraft as well. Perhaps it would have been better for her, as those accused of witchcraft were often strangled before being burned. Traitors didn’t have that luxury. 

In the end they all talked and Lady Janet Douglas was convicted. When they led her out from the dungeon, she was nearly blind after being kept behind bars in the dark for so long. Lady Glamis was burned at the stake on 17 July 1537 by Edinburgh Castle and It is said King James forced her young son, John from her first marriage to watch her agonizing death before letting him go.

Lady Glamis’ son was also sentenced to death, but because of his young age, he was not to be executed until he reached eighteen. Luckily for John, the king died before then and was pardoned, reclaiming his property of Glamis Castle and becoming the seventh Lord Glamis.

The Haunted Glamis Castle

Not many years after Lady Glamis’ execution, reports about a gray lady started to appear around the Glamis Castle grounds and people kept seeing this ghost, believing it to be her.  The castle is not the only place her ghost is said to have been seen though. In Edinburgh Castle, were she was held captive and at last burned alive, there have been reports about a ghost reminding them about the Lady Glamis as well.

The Haunted Castle: There are many mysteries if you delve into the legends surrounding Glamis Castle, from the monster of Glamis, the ghost playing cards for the rest of the eternity and many more apparitions and legends.

Back at Glamis Castle, she has been reported around the Clock Tower as well as in the chapel of the castle. People report an atmosphere of great sadness when they have seen her kneeling at the altar. For a long time one seat in the chapel was reserved for her and no one was allowed to sit in that seat. 

Once, The James the old pretender, during the Jacobite Rising in 1716, a direct descendant of her killer saw her sitting there, still haunted by his forefathers actions. 

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The School of Witchcraft in Barcelona

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In the narrow street of Carrer de la Neu de Sant Cugat in Barcelona it is said that there was once a renowned school of witchcraft. Its existence is disputed, but the legends of the strange things that still linger in the street are still talked about today.

Barcelona has long been a city steeped in mysticism and folklore. Throughout its rich history, tales of witches and sorcery have woven their way into the fabric of the city’s narrative. From ancient rituals to clandestine gatherings, the city has served as a hub for those seeking to harness the powers of the supernatural.

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

One of the most infamous periods in Barcelona’s history was the era of the Spanish Inquisition. During this time, the Catholic Church sought to eliminate any perceived threats to its authority, including those accused of practicing witchcraft. The Inquisition was known for its brutal methods of interrogation and punishment, leading to the persecution and execution of countless individuals.

Carrer de la Neu de Sant Cugat in La Ribera

Nestled in the heart of the vibrant La Ribera neighborhood, Carrer de la Neu de Sant Cugat is a seemingly unassuming street that holds a dark secret. According to local legends, this narrow cobblestone pathway was once home to the most renowned school of witchcraft in Barcelona. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories about: Witches

Carrer de la Neu de Sant Cugat: In a street in Barcelona, it is believed that a school of witchcraft was for years for powerful witches.

It is said that aspiring witches from all corners of the city flocked to this clandestine institution to learn the ancient arts of spellcasting and divination.

The School Supposedly Run by a Famous Disciple Named Seca

Central to the legends surrounding the school is the figure of Seca, a notorious disciple of the Devil himself. According to popular belief, Seca was not only a master of the dark arts but also a charismatic leader who attracted a devoted following. It is said that he possessed an uncanny ability to manipulate the forces of nature and harness their powers for his own nefarious purposes.

Read Also: Another gathering place were it is said witchcraft was practiced was in The Westerfeld House — The House of The Occult

The Rumor of Buying Bones from Condemned People

One particularly chilling rumor that surrounded the School of Witchcraft was its alleged practice of obtaining bones from individuals condemned to the gallows. It was believed that these macabre relics were used in the school’s rituals and spells, imbuing them with a sinister potency. 

Whether this was simply a tale born out of fear and speculation or if there was indeed a grain of truth to it remains a subject of debate among historians and occult enthusiasts.

The Tragic End of the School’s Students

Unfortunately, the tale of the school of witchcraft in Barcelona does not have a happy ending. As the Inquisition tightened its grip on the city, suspicion and paranoia ran rampant. The authorities became increasingly vigilant in their hunt for suspected witches, and it wasn’t long before they set their sights on the students of the infamous school. Many were captured, subjected to brutal interrogations, and ultimately sentenced to death by burning at the stake as many of those condemned for witchcraft were on the continent at this time.

The Spanish Inquisition: It was a judicial institution that lasted between 1478 and 1834. Its ostensible purpose was to combat heresy in Spain, but, in practice, it resulted in consolidating power in the monarchy of the newly unified Spanish kingdom. Its brutal methods led to widespread death and suffering. It was a dominant force for more than 200 years, resulting in some 32,000 executions

Was There Really a School of Witchcraft in Barcelona?

The legends and stories surrounding the school of witchcraft in Barcelona continue to fascinate and intrigue to this day. While it is difficult to separate fact from fiction, there is no denying the impact that these tales have had on the city’s cultural identity. Whether the school truly existed or not, its legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of those who are drawn to the mystical allure of Barcelona.

In conclusion, the school of witchcraft in Barcelona remains an enigma, shrouded in legends and rumors. Its existence may forever be a subject of speculation, but its impact on the city’s history and folklore is undeniable. Whether you believe in magic or not, there is no denying the allure and enchantment that continues to surround this captivating tale from Barcelona’s past.

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Haunted and Mysterious Places in Barcelona | 19 Local Legends

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The Ghost on the Eighth Floor of the Fusuijing Building

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In one of the old communist high rises in Beijing, it is said that the ghost on the eighth floor is still haunting the Fusuijing Building after being wrongly accused. 

As a product of the Great Leap Forward period in China, they built the Fusuijing Building in 1958. The leap was an economic and social campaign by the Chinese Communist Party to reconstruct the country to a communist society with the commune life as the goal. 

Read More: Check out all our collection of ghost stories from China

Through the Great Leap Forward  from 1958 to 1962, the country saw an economic and agricultural disaster leading to the one of the largest famines in human history that ended with the death of millions of people. 

The Home for Communism in the Fusuijing Building

It was not only the agricultural and farming aspects of the country that was turned into a commune based and not privately owned thing, but also the cities were affected. One of the things they decided was to build high rise buildings designed for commune living, also in the big cities. This was the idea when they built the huge Z shaped Fusuijing Building (福綏境公寓) in Beijing. 

“The building is equipped with gas, heating and elevators; residents don’t have to cook at all – they can go to the canteen and eat whatever they want; there will be a club where people can play board games or do sports, a movie room where they can watch movies any time, and a library, public bathroom, a medical center and a grocery store… The building is like society itself, a miniature version of an ideal society, where people live like a big family. It will basically be communism,” 

This was written by the celebrated Chinese writer Shi Tiesheng who had his teacher talking about the building that rose high above the traditional hutong area surrounding it. 

The building is on No. 1 Santiao in Xicheng District, eight storey high and was the first residential building to install elevators in the city. But even if the dream of the building was designed for the perfect communist life with a collective dining hall, activity rooms and kindergartens, the commune living boom came to an end pretty quickly. 

The cafeteria was only open for a few days as there was food shortage and people started cooking in the hallways and the walls of the building were blackened with soot after a few years. After decades of decline in people living there, the building itself started to deteriorate and the place has in many places become a hazardous place to be. 

The Ghost on the Eighth Floor

This has now become one of the  four major ghost houses in Beijing and is well known among Beijingers. The famous legend about the Ghost on the Eighth Floor started circulating as the residents of the building moved out and now the building mostly attracts those interested in ghost hunting.  

According to one version of the legends there was a woman who was framed by her husbands’ lover as a rightist and enemy of the state. She was then imprisoned on the eighth floor in the building where she died. For how long and from what is not often mentioned.

Every year on her death anniversary, although not really specified when, the whole building seems to darken almost and the lights are difficult to keep on and only gives off a dim light. You can also hear the sound of a woman crying. 

The Mysterious Fusuijing Building

There have been more than one movie about this particular legend, which according to the stories, scared people to death in the theaters. There have also been several horror movie adaptations that tanked in the box office, but nevertheless draws people to the building from time to time to explore these haunted rumors. 

The fame of the Ghost on the Eighth Floor has attracted many curious individuals and thrill-seekers over the years. Urban legends and tales of paranormal encounters continue to circulate, adding to the mystique surrounding the haunted Fusuijing Building.

Visitors who dare to venture into the building often claim to feel an eerie presence as they ascend to the eighth floor. The atmosphere becomes palpably colder, and whispers echo throughout the dimly lit hallways. Some have reported seeing a shadowy figure lurking in the corners, while others have experienced inexplicable phenomena, such as doors slamming shut or objects moving on their own.

Fusuijing Building: The facade of the Fusuijing Building were it it said that the 8th floor is haunted by a woman that were held captured there. //Source: Wikimedia

Whether one believes in the paranormal or dismisses it as mere folklore, the Ghost on the Eighth Floor of the Fusuijing Building continues to captivate the imaginations of those intrigued by tales of the supernatural. The building stands as a testament to an era defined by lofty ideals and the tumultuous consequences of societal experiments.

As the legend endures and each passing year marks the anniversary of the ghostly apparition’s existence, the Fusuijing Building remains a destination for those who seek an encounter with the inexplicable. Although the truth behind the legend may forever remain a mystery, the ghost on the eighth floor continues to haunt both the building and the collective imagination of those drawn to its haunted history.

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Why did the once glorious “Communist Building” become one of the “Four Haunted Houses in Beijing”? 

https://kknews.cc/story/mmrnkgp.html

NewsChina Magazine – Print Article

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Leap_Forward

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The Ghost in Red at Ping Shan Tat Tak School

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Some of the most haunted places in the world are easily old schools. The empty hallways seem different after school. Empty classrooms seem wrong and if the school has a dark background, it is most certainly connected to a ghost story or two. This is the case with Ping Shan Tat Tak School in Hong Kong that had more than one haunted legend behind it before it closed down.

In the New Territories north on mainland Hong Kong there is a haunted school called Ping Shan Tat Tak School (達德學校). The original school that was established in 1931 was set up in the centuries old Yu Kiu ancestral hall in Ping Shan, Yuen Long and was the first school institution to teach the nearby villagers children in the New Territories. 

In 1974 the primary school reached more than 700 students and needed bigger space. The school moved location to North-South Road before closing completely in 1998, 67 years after it opened it was abandoned and people now claim the place is haunted. 

Read More: Check out all of our ghost stories from China

The deserted school is occasionally utilized as eerie shooting sites for television and film productions, featuring frightening and spine-chilling props left behind by the crew. The two-story main building is structured in a U-shape, with the central hall flanked by classrooms in the other two wings. The encompassing open area comprises a basketball court, encircled by trees planted around the premises.

Ever since the opening and well after Ping Shan Tat Tak School closed it has been the subject of haunting ghost stories. But what made it go from one of the first and biggest schools to this abandoned place said to be haunted?

Tat Tak School: Abandoned building of Tat Tak School, Ping Shan, Hong Kong, in February 2024. The trees and bushes are taking over it all and the courtyard is empty except those seeking the paranormal rumors. This school with a long institutional history is thought to be haunted by multiple ghosts. // Source: Wikimedia

The Ghost from the War at the Haunted School

There are a couple of different stories circulating about exactly what is haunting the school. One is from war times. During the Second World War and the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong classes were suspended. It is said that the school was used as a burial ground as it was believed that it was a place where a horrible massacre happened during the Battle of Hong Kong in 1941.

There is worth noting though that these are stories told, not verified facts.

Read More: Check out our Top 10 List of Haunted Places in Hong Kong

There are also a few stories about the ghosts of the original residents of the New Territories when the British came and took over the area in 1899. At the time, the Six Day War of the New Territories broke out where around 500 people died.

The bodies of the villagers from Ping Shan were buried on the side of the mountain that became a mass grave according to these stories and the school is surrounded by these visible graves. These victims are the ghosts that are thought to haunt the school, although, they are not the most told about ghosts at all.

The Ghost in the Red Dress at Ping Shan Tat Tak School

After a while of retelling of things in the past there started to evolve a proper ghost story from Ping Shan Tat Tak School that was original to the school and the rumors of the abandoned haunted school was complete. 

A legend goes that one of the schoolmistresses, perhaps even the principal committed suicide and hang herself in the school toilets, wearing a red dress. In many of the variations she is said to have been raped.

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 like in these stories:

Read More: Check out more ghost stories about Women in Red Ghosts like The Lady in Red of Bang Pakong River or The Haunted Bela Vista Villa

The Woman in Red: One of the ghosts said to haunt the Ping Shan Tat Tak School in Hong Kong is the woman in red. It is said that a headmistress hanged herself in one of the toilets and has ever since been haunting the school.

Since there are no police reports or even a news article about this, it is impossible to confirm that such a rumor is true. A former student claims it was the headmaster’s wife who died at her home. Nevertheless, this story has become one of the most told about from Ping Shan Tat Tak School.

Student Ghost Investigation Gone Wrong

Because the haunted rumor about an abandoned school exists, there will naturally thrill seekers that are attracted to the stories, especially for other students wanting to test their bravery and spook their friends. Normally the explorations come from the famous stories, but this time, one of the fateful explorations turned the story about the haunted school and the ghost wearing red to new heights.

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. 

Paranormal Investigations: The school has in later years been the subject of paranormal investigations by various groups of people. Many of them are school children themselves and not ready to deal with the horror that awaits them. Be it psychological or paranormal. // Source: Wikimedia

According to reports, 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. 

One of them claimed to have had visions of people dying in horrific ways. But visions were not the only thing the students claimed they saw. Worst was the sighting of a female ghost dressed in all red and long hair. The chilling whispers of her presence sent shivers down the spines of those who dared to cross her path.

And all the while the building sits there abandoned with its secrets. And while the local villagers claim that they have never seen a ghost in these parts, and the thing with the students losing control has been said to be a case of acute reactive psychosis, the legend says otherwise. 

The Haunted Tat Tak School

In conclusion, Ping Shan Tat Tak School in Hong Kong remains an intriguing and haunted place with a rich history and mysterious legends. While the truth about the reported supernatural occurrences is difficult to ascertain, the stories surrounding the school continue to captivate the imagination of locals and visitors alike.

Whether it’s the restless spirits of the villagers from centuries ago or the ghostly presence of the woman in the red dress, Ping Shan Tat Tak School has become synonymous with tales of hauntings and eerie encounters. The abandoned school’s dilapidated halls and eerie atmosphere only amplify the sense of unease that surrounds it.

Empty Classrooms: Only graffiti on the walls and broken windows are left of the once big school that housed over 700 students. Could it be that only the ghosts remain? // Source: Wikimedia

To this day, Ping Shan Tat Tak School stands as a cautionary reminder of the power of urban legends and the allure of the paranormal. Whether the haunting stories are true or not, the school continues to fascinate those with a penchant for the supernatural and a love of abandoned school corridors.

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新界六日戰- 维基百科，自由的百科全书 

9 of the most haunted places in Hong Kong 

Top 10 spooky stories in Hong Kong

達德學校- 维基百科，自由的百科全书 

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The Chief Executioner at Plaza Nueva

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In his old workplace at Plaza Nueva, there is the ghost of an old executioner that is said to still walk over the plaza in Granada, Spain. It is said he is still dressed in his garb, as he is on his way to one of the executions for a day’s work. 

Have you ever felt a chill down your spine while walking through an old, dark street in Spain? It could be that the stories of haunted streets are true. Spain is known for its mysterious and dark history, and many of its cities have their own stories about spirits and ghosts lurking in the shadows. 

Plaza Nueva, a bustling square in Granada, has a long and storied history and is despite its name, the oldest square in Granada. Originally built in the 16th century, it has witnessed countless events and has been a central location for various activities over the years. It was one of the most important parts of the city with many games, bullfights and tournaments were held. 

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

However, it is also linked to the darker side of Granada’s past – executions. During the 19th century, Plaza Nueva was the site of public executions, where justice was carried out in front of a crowd. It is in this context that Maestro Lorenzo’s role as the Chief Executioner becomes significant.

The Chancellery of Court of Justice: A Place of Haunting Presence

The Chancellery of Court of Justice, located near Plaza Nueva, is a building steeped in history and mystery. Constructed in the 16th century, it has witnessed numerous trials and legal proceedings. 

Legend has it that many spirits still roamed the halls inside of the building as well as walking across the square outside where the condemned met their final end. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories about places that were used as an execution ground: Dead Men Walking in Old Provost in Grahamstown, Paris’ Haunted Père Lachaise Cemetery, Unveiling the Dark History of the Tower of London and its Ghosts 

The Haunted Plaza Nueva: In Granada, Spain the Plaza Nueva is said to be haunted by the former Chief Executioner, Maestro Lorenzo, dressed for work in his uniform, ready for the next execution.//Source:Superchilum/wikimedia

The most famous ghost said to haunt this place is the ghostly figure of the Chief Executioner who is said to roam the corridors, forever trapped in a time when his role was to deliver death. He is seen dressed in the attire of an executioner, forever bound to the room where the garotte, a device used for strangulation, is still kept.

Many who have encountered his spirit describe a feeling of unease and an overwhelming sense of dread.

Maestro Lorenzo: The Chief Executioner of Granada

In the grim days of the 19th century, the role of the Chief Executioner was one of great responsibility, albeit a macabre one. The Chief Executioner was responsible for carrying out death sentences and ensuring that justice was served. They were skilled in various methods of execution, including beheading, hanging, and the use of the garotte. The Chief Executioner was seen as an ominous figure, feared by many and associated with death itself. 

The Executioner: It is believed that the ghost haunting the Plaza Nueva in Granada, Spain is that of Lorenzo Huertas. Here is the executions of anarchists in Xeres in 1892 by use of the garrote.

Maestro Lorenzo, as the Chief Executioner of Granada, held this position during a time of great unrest and upheaval in Spain. His name was Lorenzo Huertas and was known as the “Head Cutter”, was always dressed in a black cape with a wide brimmed hat. According to the stories about him it was said he always carried the garrotte Mariana Pineda, a liberalist heroine, was executed with in his pocket. 

It has been said he is still walking, dressed as if going to an execution and heading to the room where the garotte is still held. 

The Ghost of the Chief Executioner at Plaza Nueva

The legend of Maestro Lorenzo, the Chief Executioner of Granada, continues to intrigue and captivate those who visit Plaza Nueva and the Chancellery of the Court of Justice. His ghostly presence serves as a reminder of the darker chapters in Spain’s history and the haunting stories that persist to this day. 

The stories surrounding Maestro Lorenzo add an air of mystery and intrigue to the already enchanting streets of Granada. So, the next time you find yourself wandering through the historic streets of Spain, keep an eye out for the ghostly figure of the Chief Executioner, forever bound to Plaza Nueva in Granada.

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Mysteries en la Real ChancilleríaThe 5 most Haunted Places in SpainPlaza Nueva in Granada – the Main Old City Square with Historic Buildings
El espíritu del ejecutor que recorre la Chancillería | Ideal
Lorenzo Huertas – Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

An online magazine about the paranormal, haunted and macabre. We collect the ghost stories from all around the world as well as review horror and gothic media.

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