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The Wandering Tale of the Pilgrim Haunting on Camino de Santiago

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Still walking his pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, the ghost of a lost pilgrim is said to haunt a stretch of road. Still with his staff in hand, he appears in cars in Huesca in Spain and some even claim the ghosts are there to harm them. 

There’s something eerie about walking alone on a secluded path, surrounded by dense forests, abandoned ruins, and the silence of the night. But what if you were not alone? What if you felt a presence, a ghostly figure following you, watching your every move? For centuries, pilgrims traveling the Camino de Santiago have reported encounters with restless spirits, whispering voices, and unexplained phenomena. 

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

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, is a network of pilgrimage routes leading to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The pilgrimage has been popular since the Middle Ages, and millions of people have walked the route over the centuries. The Camino de Santiago has a rich history and culture, and it has been the subject of many legends and myths. The route passes through some of the most beautiful and historic regions of Spain, and it is a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims alike.

The Haunted Road at Puente de la Reina to Jaca in Huesca

The area of Aragorn has more than one haunted tale told about it, and the whole region is covered in mystery. Like stories about the Holy Grail for instance. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Haunted Roads all around the world.

One of the most haunted sections of the Camino de Santiago is the road from Puente de la Reina to Jaca in Huesca, and it is also one of the more dangerous roads. This section of the route passes through the Pyrenees Mountains and is known for its rugged terrain and stunning scenery. However, it is also known for its spooky encounters, as many pilgrims have reported seeing ghostly figures and hearing strange noises along the way.

The Camino de Santiago: The pilgrimage of The Camino de Santiago goes through Huesca in Spain were there is said to be the ghost of a pilgrim on the road.

The Ghost of the Pilgrim

There is a legend that the ghost of a pilgrim that forever is walking the Camino de Santiago route and is passing by the N-240 from Puente de la Reina to Jaca in Huesca. He is seen carrying a staff and gourd as a canteen. 

Dozens of drivers have claimed to have seen this lonesome pilgrim and according to many of the stories the ghost is said to throw himself at the oncoming cars at times before just vanishing. 

The Haunted Path to Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago is a fascinating and spooky place, full of legends and myths. The Pilgrim Ghost is perhaps the most famous haunting on the route, but there are many other spooky tales and encounters to be found along the way. 

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the Camino de Santiago is a place that will leave you with a sense of awe and wonder. So, put on your walking shoes and join us on a spine-chilling journey through the haunted Camino de Santiago. Who knows? You might just walk with a ghost.

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References:

Los 10 tramos de carretera más misteriosos de España

Los 10 tramos de carretera más misteriosos de España – La Opinión de Málaga

Driving the 10 most haunted roads of Spain

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The Lost City of Kilstuitheen at The Cliffs of Moher

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In the watery depths off the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, it is said that the phantom island and The Lost City of Kilstuitheen appears every seven years. There are still legends that it will return for those that holds the key.

Between the picturesque towns of Lahinch and Spanish Point lies the Liscannor Bay. Its tranquil surface hints at the mysteries concealed beneath its waters, and one of its most intriguing enigmas is the phantom island and The Lost City of Kilstuitheen. 

The coastline of County Clare has been shaped by nature’s fury over millennia. Ancient earthquakes and tidal waves have left their mark on this rugged terrain. In the bay’s vicinity, once-verdant forests and bogs have become submerged, and the dramatic events of centuries past split Mutton Island into three separate isles during the tsunami of approximately 800 AD.

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

This could explain the legends of the lost city of Kilstuitheen. It is also called Kilstapheen, Kilstiffen or Cill Stuifin and is supposedly an ancient city that is now lost outside the coast. It is said that the city sank down into the ocean when the chieftain lost its golden key in a battle. According to the legend, the city will not return until the key is found. 

The Cliffs of Moher: The cliffs are well known for its legends. In addition for the legends about the lost city, there are also legends about mermaids, witches, a corpse eating eel as well were the pagan deities took refuge when Christianity came to Ireland.

The Lost City of Kilstuitheen’s Forgotten Splendor

Long ago according to legend, the city of Kilstuitheen was a place of unparalleled magnificence and riches. Its skyline was adorned with golden turrets that graced castles and glistening spires that adorned churches. These structures were a testament to the prosperity of its inhabitants, particularly the Chieftain and his esteemed clan.

However, even the most prosperous of places can succumb to the capricious whims of fate. Kilstuitheen’s fortunes took a dire turn when defeat befell the Chieftain in a fierce battle. What followed was a calamity of epic proportions—an immense tidal wave surged forth, engulfing the island and all its inhabitants. The once-mighty Kilstuitheen lay buried beneath the turbulent waters, its glory swallowed by the relentless sea.

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories on Haunted Islands

There is a legend telling how to find the island though. It used to be a key which opened the door  that the chieftain had lost during the fateful battle. It was later believed to be entombed beneath a towering monolith on Mount Callan.

When the long-lost golden key is unearthed and returned to its rightful place, it is said that Kilstuitheen shall rise once more from the depths of the sea. The valiant Chieftain, now relegated to the annals of history, will reawaken to lead his people anew, and the island’s golden splendor will once again grace the surface.

Glimpses of a Submerged City

Over the centuries, fishermen have claimed to catch fleeting glimpses of The Lost City of Kilstuitheen’s submerged city beneath the restless waves of Liscannor Bay. Every seven years, the phantom island performs a tantalizing upsurge, just enough to be visible from the shores of Lahinch. 

This is also the case with the mythical phantom island of Brasil said to be off the coast of Ireland as well. 

However, this remarkable sighting comes with a dire warning: those who behold the lost island from the shore shall not live to witness its reemergence and will die before The Lost City of Kilstuitheen appears again.

The Mysteries Beneath the Waves

As we ponder the legends of Kilstuitheen and its submerged treasures, we are reminded that the sea has long been a capricious mistress, capable of concealing the most remarkable of secrets. In the heart of Liscannor Bay, The Lost City of Kilstuitheen’s lost splendor lies beneath the waves, its golden turrets and spires hidden, awaiting the return of the golden key that may one day resurrect its glory. The enigma of Kilstuitheen endures as a testament to the enduring mysteries of Ireland’s coastal landscapes, where legends and history are eternally intertwined.

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References:

A Legend of the Cliffs of Moher – The Lost City of Kilstiffen > What Boundaries? Live Your Dream! County Clare: 5 Haunted Places To Visit | Spooky Isles

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The Haunted Cantabrian Tunnel of Engaña

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A railroad network was started by political prisoners during the Franco regime, but never completed. Now it is said that the unfinished Cantabrian Tunnel of Engaña is haunted by those that died when trying to build it. 

Have you ever been enticed by a dark and mysterious place? If so, you won’t want to miss out on a visit to the haunted tunnel entrance in Spain of an incomplete railway tunnel called the Engaña Tunnel. 

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

It’s an eerie spot that’s shrouded in gloom and legend. As you explore its depths with no lights along the sides, you may find yourself surrounded by the ghosts of its past. 

The Unfinished Engaña Tunnel

At the entrance of the Cantabrian tunnel of Engaña people have claimed to have seen strange apparitions and heard mysterious sounds coming from the incomplete tunnel that runs through the Cantabrian Mountains. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Haunted Roads all around the world.

The tunnel was designed to go to the Bay of Biscay and connect it to the Mediterranean Sea by rail in 1942. With its almost 7000 meters of length it was supposed to be the longest railway tunnel in Spain, but the rails were never laid at all. 

Hundreds of people were building on this patch and the structure was also built by political prisoners of the Franco regime after the Spanish Civil War ended. 

When they started the project they  believed that it would only take a year, but nothing went as planned. The construction for this project lasted for 17 years however, the funds for the project ran out and the final patch of the stretch was abandoned in 1959 and never completed. 

The tunnel was built though and sometimes used as an alternative road when the other roads were closed due to snowfall, but the hazardous tunnel was closed after many collapses and was closed off.

Flooded: The Cantabrian Tunnel of Engaña is said to be haunted and has over the years also started to collapse or have become flooded.//Source:Roberto Lumbreras/wikimedia

According to the tales, hundreds of lives of the prisoners that were forced to build it died during the unfinished construction. 

This number is hard to back up by fact as the first years of construction were not written up. We do know however that at least 16 workers died during the construction from 1951 to 1959. So who really knows the truth about what happened before then?

The construction itself was ot the only thing that killed off those working on the tunnel, as a large number of the workers eventually died of lung diseases caused by inhaling the toxic crystalline silica dust from the tunnel. 

The Ghost of the Prisoners

The project itself was looked at as a failure and has stood as a dark entrance to a much darker past. The place was until it was sealed off mostly used by impatient drivers, people carrying illegal contraband and seekers of the paranormal.

Read more: Check out the story about The Haunted Inunaki Village in Japan, The Hangman’s Tunnel in Loja or The White Lady In Freihung for more ghost stories about haunted tunnels.

After the project was abandoned and the lives of the prisoners were almost forgotten, the stories of seeing their ghosts started to be told around the area. 

People talked about seeing the unfortunate prisoners that died building it and drivers claiming to have seen their ghosts as they pass the tunnel opening or dare to go through it as a shortcut through the mountains.

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References:

Descubrimos el ‘Stonehenge Charro’ y la ruta del vino de la Sierra de Francia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enga%C3%B1a_Tunnel

Los 10 tramos de carretera más misteriosos de España

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The Ghost Cat with Red Glowing Eyes of Acadia National Park

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After a devastating fire in 1947 in Acadia National Park in Maine, a man and his cat were engulfed in the flames. After this, there have been reports about people encountering what seems like the ghost cat Seawater staring at you through the trees with red glowing eyes.

In the whispered tales that drift through the mist-shrouded corners of the resort town of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island in Maine, a haunting legend lingers—a story of a faithful cat and a tragic fire that claimed the life of her master. 

It is said that Seawater, a raggedy feline with eyes that gleam like rubies in the darkness, roams the island in search of her beloved owner, Willie Cunningham, lost to the flames of a great fire in 1947. 

The Great Fire of Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is a stunning natural reserve located primarily on Mount Desert Island, the largest offshore island outside of Maine, United States. Established in 1916, it encompasses over 49,000 acres of rugged coastline, lush forests, granite peaks, and pristine lakes. 

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

Acadia National Park is not only a haven for outdoor enthusiasts but also a place of profound natural beauty and ecological significance. What it also is known for is being one of the most haunted places and one of the ghost stories from the park is about the ghost cat from the Great Fire in 1947 that took the life of six people and left only ashes and ghosts.

In the chilling days of October 17, 1947, Acadia National Park became engulfed in a monstrous blaze that devoured over 10,000 acres of the ancient forests. The fire, born along Crooked Road west of Hulls Cove, spread its fiery fingers, consuming everything in its path. It wasn’t just the park that suffered—the flames licked hungrily at Mount Desert Island beyond its borders, leaving an additional 7,000 acres in ruins. 

The Fire in Acadia: The fire in 1947 burnt through the national park and according to the rumors, it only left ashes and ghosts.

This inferno was but one of many that ravaged Maine’s forests in a dry and desperate year. For almost a month, the fire raged unchecked. From the Coast Guard to the Army Air Corps, from the Navy to local residents, and National Park Service employees, all joined the battle against the encroaching flames. 

Historic summer cottages along Millionaires’ Row were reduced to ashes, along with homes and hotels, leaving only smoldering ruins in their wake.

Willie Cunningham and Ghost Cat

Willie, a solitary and elderly man living on Forest Street in Bar Harbor, had only his loyal companion, the cat Seawater he loved greatly. The cat was the only thing Willie had for company when disaster struck and the fire kept creeping in. 

As the inferno closed in on their home, Willie managed to flee to safety with Seawater in his arms to get into a vehicle that would take them so safety. But the terrified cat dashed back into the inferno when something scared it. Desperate to save his beloved pet, Willie disappeared into the smoke to follow the cat into the burning home they had tried to escape from, never to be seen alive again. 

Read More: Check out the short story The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe

The rescuers had no choice but to leave them there and return after the flames had gotten under control. In the days that followed, Willie’s bones were discovered by a nearby stream, his tragic fate sealed by the flames. 

But what happened to the cat? It is said that Seawater’s spirit lives on as a ghost cat, her form growing larger and more ominous with each passing year. 

The Ghost of Seawater the Cat

Some claim to have encountered Seawater the cat in the darkened woods of Acadia, a spectral figure surrounded by a brood of shadowy cats. 

The story tells when the neighbor found Willie’s skull, it was like the eye sockets were still looking at something behind them. When the neighbor turned around he saw a black cat staring back at him. The ghost cat looked like Seawater had done, but the eyes seemed to glow red. 

Read More: Check out ghost stories like The Mysterious Legends of Hellfire Club on Montpelier Hill, The Black Ghost Cat of War and The History and Legends of the Haunted Abbaye De Mortemer for more stories about ghost cats.

The neighbor chased the ghost cat away then, but it was not the last time some claimed to have seen the ghost of Seawater in the woods. In 2005 a woman claimed to have seen around four cats where one of them was the size of a panther more than a house cat. 

And with each sighting, the legend of Seawater grows, her eyes blazing like beacons in the night, a ghostly guardian forever bound to the island she once called home.

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References:

Great Fires of 1947 – Wikipedia 

Have You Seen Acadia’s Ghost Cat? 

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The Sinking of the RMS Lusitania and the Ghosts Washed Ashore

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In 1915 the RMS Lusitania was heading to Liverpool, but only reached the Irish coast as it was torpedoed by German forces. On the shore where the dead were washed ashore, their ghosts seem to linger in the cemetery and the hotel where the injured were brought. 

In the annals of maritime history, few stories are as haunting as that of the RMS Lusitania. A luxury vessel of her time, she was not merely a ship; she was a symbol of opulence and luxury, afloat in the tumultuous waters of World War I. Her tragic tale, marked by a German U-boat’s ruthless attack, has left an indelible mark on history—and perhaps, on the realm of the supernatural.

Read More: Check out all of our ghost stories from Haunted Ships

In the throes of World War I, the Lusitania was more than just another ocean liner; she was a prized target for German forces. So much so, in fact, that the German embassy took the extraordinary step of placing warnings in 50 American newspapers, advising potential passengers not to travel on this vessel. 

Despite these ominous advisories, courage and curiosity prevailed, and on the fateful day of May 1, 1915, passengers and crew alike boarded the Lusitania, from New York bound for Liverpool.

The Sinking of RMS Lusitania

The RMS Lusitania was carrying 1,266 passengers and a crew of 696, totaling 1,962 people. At 2:10 pm, the Lusitania crossed paths with the German U-boat U-20. Due to the liner’s high speed, some consider the encounter to be coincidental, as U-20 would have had difficulty catching the fast vessel otherwise.

The U-boat fired one torpedo at the RMS Lusitania, striking it on the starboard bow, just beneath the wheelhouse. Moments later, a second explosion erupted from within the ship’s hull at the point of impact.

The vessel began to sink rapidly, listing to starboard. Crew members hurried to launch lifeboats, but the sinking conditions made it extremely challenging, and many lifeboats capsized or broke apart. Only 6 out of 48 lifeboats were successfully launched.

Eighteen minutes after the torpedo hit, the ship’s trim leveled out, and it disappeared beneath the waves, with the funnels and masts being the last visible parts. Chaos reigned as the ship rapidly descended into the abyss, leaving only a handful of lifeboats to brave the frigid waters

Tragically, of the 1,962 people aboard the RMS Lusitania, 1,199 lost their lives. Heroic acts by survivors and Irish rescuers brought the survivor count to 764, although three later succumbed to injuries sustained during the sinking.

The Eerie Remnants: Queenstown

In the aftermath of this devastating event, the town of Queenstown, now known as Cobh, bore witness to a somber spectacle. The bodies of the few survivors and many victims either washed ashore or were brought to the town. 

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

In the Old Church Cemetery, nestled on the outskirts of Cobh, nearly 200 of the RMS Lusitania’s ill-fated passengers found their final resting place in both mass and individual graves.

The Sinking of RMS Lusitania: The ship was Torpedoed by German U-boat U-20 and sank on Friday 7 May 1915. The wreck lies approximately 11 mi (18 km) off the Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse in 305 ft (93 m) of water. The dead passengers from the ship is said to be haunting the city of Cobh.

It is here, amid the gravestones and fading memories of the RMS Lusitania’s passengers, that the veil between the living and the departed seems to thin. Witnesses from diverse sections of the community, including the enigmatic White Witch of Cobh and a Grave Inspector, have recounted eerie experiences.

The White Witch of Cobh

But who is this white witch that supposedly makes people believe in her words of hauntings? Her name is Ms Helen Barrett and is a 5th generation witch. Out of the 3 500 witches in Ireland, there is supposedly only one that outranks her in Kerry. 

She is mostly known for her fortune telling and magic spells like whistling up a wind, but she also has claimed to have seen some of the ghosts that are said to haunt her city. She has among other things claimed to have foretold Princess Diana’s death as well as the start of the world ending in 2012. 

The Haunted Funeral Procession

Foremost among these accounts is the chilling sound of a mass funeral procession for the Lusitania’s victims that took place on the 10th of May in 1915. Most people that claim to have experienced this have talked about hearing hushed voices as well as the sound of footsteps along the cemetery wall. 

The White Witch herself claims to have “seen” it unfold, a spectral spectacle that haunts the imagination.

The Haunted Cemetery: Several people of Cobh have claimed to have seen a ghostly funeral procession of the victims from the ship in the cemetery.

These mournful echoes of the past have perplexed onlookers, leading them to believe that a funeral procession was approaching, only to find an empty road. It is as though the spirits of the Lusitania’s passengers still gather to remember their untimely end, leaving an enduring and haunting legacy in the hallowed grounds of the Old Church Cemetery in Cobh, Ireland.

The Hauntings at Commodore Hotel

In Cobh there was a hotel when the ship went down that was originally known as The Queens Hotel and is still in operation. It was run by a German and the entire Humbert family had to hide in the basement because of the angry mob that gathered outside.  

At the time when RMS Lusitania were torpedoed, many of the survivors were taken to the hotel where they treated the wounded and stored the dead to appease the angry flock of people.

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

It is said that this gave an imprint in the hotel, and many of the unexplained noises and sightings have been said to be because of the ghosts of the victims. 

This is however not the only ghosts haunting the hotel according to legends though, and the hotel is also said to be haunted by a british soldier who took his own life there and the ghost of a baby that was supposedly left in a suitcase there. 

The Tragic Haunting from RMS Lusitania

The haunting tale of the sinking of the RMS Lusitania and the ghosts washed ashore is one that resonates with the depths of history. As time passes, these spirits continue to linger, their presence felt in the eerie whispers of the Old Church Cemetery and the haunted halls of the Commodore Hotel.

As the years pass, the tragic haunting from the RMS Lusitania serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war, a testament to the resilience of spirits lingering on. The stories of these lost souls continue to captivate, reminding us of the mysterious and enduring connections between the world of the living and the realm of the departed.

We can only wonder if these restless spirits will ever find peace, or if their presence will continue to be felt by those who venture into the hallowed grounds of Cobh and the haunted halls of the Commodore Hotel.

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References:

Cobh, Ireland: Top 5 Haunted Places To Visit | Spooky Isles 

Commodore Hotel | Haunted Cork, Ireland | Spirited Isle 

https://darkemeraldtales.com/2015/05/05/ghosts-of-rms-lusitania-and-the-port-of-cobh/ Witch of Cobh says she foresaw the death of Diana – The Irish Times

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The Haunting of Ballyheigue Castle and the Tale of Lost Treasure

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One dark night, a Danish ship wrecked not far from Ballyheigue Castle. The ship carried silver and during a raid of the castle, the treasure was lost. What was the real reason for the ship being wrecked, and who was the ghostly figure in a picture taken centuries later?

On the Atlantic coast of Eire, in the serene village of Ballyheigue, stands the enigmatic Ballyheigue Castle. Conceived by the visionary architect Richard Morrison in 1810, this grand mansion was once the proud abode of the illustrious Crosbie family in its Tudor-gothic-revival style. 

Today, it stands as a mere shell of ruins as many of the old Irish castles and mansions, embraced by the lush green expanse of a golf course that was built in 1996.

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

From 1890, parts of the castle were used as a Royal Irish Constabulary station. May 27, 1921, it succumbed to the flames of the Irish War of Independence, a casualty in the battle against British Imperialism. This was not so uncommon during this time, and many of the old castles and big houses met the same fate. 

Ballyheigue Castle: Now only the ruins stands of the former castle on what is now used as a golf course. It is believed that a ghost is haunting the place as strange figures have showed up on pictures of those visiting. //Source: Wikimedia

It is said that, before the castle met its fiery end, the community rallied to plunder its contents, an act of defiance before the torch was applied. What is true though is that only ruins and ghost stories are now left.

The Ghosts of Ballyheigue Castle

Ballyheigue, pronounced “baleyhigh,” bears the weight of its storied past, once a haven for smugglers who roamed the treacherous Irish coast. This comes to show in the ghost stories and legends.

In June 1962, Captain P. D. O’Donnell and his family went on a holiday in Ballyheigue. O’Donnell, later recounting his experiences in the ‘Ireland of the Welcomes’ magazine, published by Bord Failte Eireann (the Irish Tourist Board), unveiled a chilling chapter of Ballyheigue Castle’s history.

One afternoon during their stay, O’Donnell and his eight-year-old son, Frank, ventured into the crumbling remnants of Ballyheigue Castle. This once-proud fortress had belonged to the Crosbie family, who had wielded power over County Kerry for generations. After thorough exploration of the castle’s ruins, O’Donnell captured several photographs of the decaying walls before going home and developing his holiday pictures.

Curiously, upon developing the photographs, one image revealed an anomaly—a mysterious figure standing in one of the windows. This spectral presence held a sword and appeared dressed in what looked to be a sailors outfit. After checking out what they could, they concluded that this was no result of double exposure.

Alas, the sole print of this haunting photograph, along with the negative, vanished when he sent it to a friend. Despite extensive efforts, including newspaper advertisements and printed leaflets offering substantial rewards, the elusive image remained lost. 

Strangely, offers to purchase the Danish rights to the photograph poured in, even from as far afield as Copenhagen. Why were the Danes so intrigued by a ghostly picture?

The Wreckers of the Coast

As recounted in the ancient chronicles of Kerry, the Danish ship Golden Lyon, part of the Danish Asiatic Company’s fleet en route from Copenhagen to Tranquebar, was wrecked on Ballyheigue beach on October 30, 1730. 

The relentless fury of a storm had cast the ship off course, rendering it vulnerable to the opportunistic Crosbies—so the legends say. Dark tales persist of the Crosbies employing false lights attached to the heads of horses, drawing unsuspecting ships into perilous waters. This was done so the people on land could ‘salvage’ the goods the ships were carrying.  

Ballyheigue Beach: This is the beach that the Danish ship carrying silver wrecked. Perhaps on purpose on those on the beach coming from the castle. //Source: Wikimedia

Sailors on the ships at night were deceived by the bobbing lights that seemed to signal safe passage, and found themselves shipwrecked among the unforgiving Atlantic breakers.

People who did this were called ‘Wreckers’, and was a common story told across the coast and feared the same way ships feared pirates. There are also tales that the crews of these ships were slaughtered to leave no witnesses. 

Common law back then was that the goods from shipwrecks belonged to those residing on the shore it drifted in from and it could be a highly lucrative business of ships coming from far and bringing with them treasures and other goods. 

The Twelve Chests of Silver

The crew of the ill-fated Golden Lyon faced an unforeseen rescue mission, orchestrated by Sir Thomas Crosbie and his cohorts coming from Ballyheigue Castle. Amid the wreckage, they salvaged a substantial portion of the Danish ship’s cargo, including a cache of silver bars and coins concealed within twelve chests. 

The crew were welcomed to the Crosbies and stayed at Ballyheigue Castle. Did the Crosbies really wreck the ship on purpose? Or were they actually the helpful locals they posed as? It wasn’t long before Sir Thomas met an untimely demise, some suspecting poison at the hands of his own wife.

Lady Margaret, widow of Sir Thomas Crosbie, laid claim to a staggering £4,300.00 (equivalent to a princely £110,800.00 today) from Captain J. Heitman, master of the Danish ship, citing it as salvage and compensation for her husband’s demise, attributing him dying to the “labors and exertions on the night of the wreck.” Fearing for the safety of his twelve chests of silver, Captain Heitman transported them to the castle’s cellar, stationing a vigilant guard at the entrance until he could arrange for their return to Denmark.

The Raiding of the Castle

Soon after, there was a raid on Ballyheigue Castle and the chests of silver vanished under the cover of night. Authorities managed to recover a meager £5,000.00 of the total £20,000.00 worth of silver.

Lady Margaret’s name hovered ominously over the shadows of suspicion of her orchestrating the raid, yet she vehemently denied any involvement. Today, local legends weave intricate tales of the whereabouts of the stolen silver.

It is said that one of the sailors standing guard tried to stop the robbery of the chests, but was killed in the process. Could this be the ghost seen in the picture from Ballyheigue Castle O’Donnell saw?

The Death Anniversary of the Ghost

What is also an interesting, and perhaps a creepy fact is the date the picture was taken. Historical records chronicle the Danish Silver Raid transpiring on June 4, 1731. O’Donnell’s photograph of the phantom sailor was taken on June 4, 1962—was it a spectral tribute to this ominous anniversary?

Another legend of the castle is that the silver in fact, never left the building. According to this story, the stolen silver is still underground and the sailor is trying to let us know. Perhaps one day another one will be shown to were it is, who knows, perhaps it will once again be on the anniversary of his death? 

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References:

Ballyheigue Castle – Mysterious Britain & Ireland 

Ballyheigue Castle – Wikipedia 

Salvage Tradition, Law and Lore – Irish Maritime History 

(PDF) The Ghost of Ballyheigue Castle | Francis Martin O’Donnell – Academia.edu 

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The Haunted Stretch of Death

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There is a road in Extremadura, Spain that has been called The Stretch of Death because of all the accidents that are said to happen there. There is one legend though, that one of the accidents ended in a death that was never uncovered. Now the place is haunted by the victim trying to tell the truth. 

Spain is known for its beautiful and picturesque roads that weave through the countryside and mountains. But there is one road in Spain that is not so picturesque and definitely not for the faint-hearted. 

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

The road is called ‘The Stretch of Death‘ and it has a history of ghostly sightings and strange occurrences people have linked to the supernatural. And the cause of the supposed haunted road is said to be in the bottom of the nearby lagoon.

The Stretch of Death

In the Extremadura region in Spain, a place filled with mystery and tales of ghosts and the macabre. The place is landlocked bordering Portugal with the lowest population density in Spain. This makes a breeding ground for ghost stories such as this place here. 

The 2 kilometer stretch of road between Pozuelo de Zarzon and Monthermoso has crosses and flowers lined up on the sides of the roads after the many deadly accidents that have happened, hence it name: Stretch of Death. 

What Makes this Road so Dangerous?

Why is it that so many meet their end at this particular point on the road? Most allegedly haunted roads have something dangerous about them, like a sharp turn or perhaps a dark and narrow road with little visibility. There are not any dangerous curves on the Stretch of Death as it often is on these alleged haunted roads, but a straight line with good visibility of what comes ahead. 

People that drive along this road claim that the monotony of the route and road is to blame as it decreases attention to dangers ahead for the drivers. 

Local legend though is saying there is something paranormal happening along this place. 

The Hit and Run of the Girl Thrown in the Lagoon

One of the local legends has a disturbing story about the dangers of walking along this stretch of road. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Haunted Roads all around the world.

Once a local 17-year old girl was run over and died on the Stretch of Death by a car that didn’t pay any attention when driving. The people who ran her over panicked and didn’t want to get caught and face the consequences of their actions. They decided to cover up their crime and threw her body into a nearby lagoon. 

Her body was never found as it is still on the bottom of the lagoon according to the legend. Her murder and the culprits were never found and it was like she simply just vanished from the face of earth. Or did she?

Because of this the girl that died came back to haunt the place, to try to get the attention of the drivers and help her find her body in the lagoon where she was thrown in. 

The Red Stains on the Road that Never Washes off

Another creepy detail about this place is the red marks that people say supernaturally stained the road after the accident to show what happened. 

There are a couple of red stains on the asphalt on the Stretch of Death that no amount of cleaning or weathering have been able to erase. Could it just be the ferrous oxide of the pavement, or could it be the red blood from the accident that never wants to go away?

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Driving the 10 most haunted roads of Spain

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The Dark Haired Woman Haunting the Road in Asturias

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Like if appearing out of nowhere, a dark haired woman is said to haunt a road in Asturias. Some say she fell out of her carriage, some say she was killed by a jealous suitor. All say that she looks disoriented as if she is lost both in time and place. 

Spain is a country that’s steeped in history, culture and mystery. and it’s no wonder that many of its roads are steeped in legends and lore. There is one road that has long been known as a place where ghostly apparitions have been spotted and where drivers have experienced unexplainable occurrences.

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One of the stretches of roads in Spain that gets the most complaints of being haunted is the AS-17 between Mengollo and Blimea in Asturias. 

The Strange Dark Haired Woman in Asturias

The complaints that comes in on this stretch of road in Asturias is about the same thing and has been going on for centuries, and is mostly about a dark-haired woman with long hair, looking around expressionless, looking a bit disoriented who suddenly appears when she comes out from behind one of the signs and shows herself to the shocked drivers.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Haunted Roads all around the world.

Castle of Blimea: The ghost on the stretch of haunted road in Asturias is often connected with the legends of the castle of Blimea and the story about Florinda, the daughter living there.

According to the legend the ghost of this girl was Florinda, the daughter of the first owner of the castle of Blimea or possibly de la Cabezada. She was said to be very beautiful and had many suitors that wanted her hand in marriage.

Only problem though, she was in love with someone else. All the same, her father promised her to the most powerful, the lord of La Buelga. He demanded to know who her secret lover was, but Florinda kept her mouth shut. Even when she was imprisoned in the tower of his castle, she would not name him. In fact, she warned him that she belonged to no one but her secret lover, and she would kill herself if she couldn’t have him.

There are different version about how she ended up dying. Some say it was her spiteful suitor that ended up murdering her when she refused him on that stretch of road. Some say it was the secret lover, a servant in the castle that stabbed her to death as she wished when she was forced to marry the lord. He then proceeded to stab himself with the same dagger, that still was dripping with her blood.

The tragic tale of Florinda has been changed, merged and forgotten by many over the years. But the strange thing about the dark haired woman that suddenly appears on the road have often been connected with her.

The Women Missing from the Carriage

Another speculation about who this ghost on the road in Asturias is comes from the version of the legend where Florinda was a girl that returned to her family in the 11th century after taking her first communion when she fell from the carriage and died. 

People think that when they were passing through Valparaiso, a now abandoned city a pack of wolves as well as snakes scared the horse so it ran off with the parents still inside. 

When they finally made their way back, the daughter was missing and was never found. What happened with her was a thing of mysteries. Did she die? Did she go into the wild to become feral only to come back as the scary ghost of a dark haired woman suddenly appearing on the road? 

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Las carreteras más misteriosas de España – Tendencias – CADENA 100

Los 10 tramos de carretera más misteriosos de España

Driving the 10 most haunted roads of Spain

Historia, leyenda y maldición del Castillo de Campogrande | GUÍA TURISMO ASTURIAS

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Cabra Castle and the Ghost of the Poor Servant Girl

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At the old Cabra Castle, once known as Cormey Castle, it is said that the ghost of an unfortunate servant girl is haunting it’s hall. She was brutally murdered by the castle owners when they found out she was bearing one of the heirs’ children. 

In the heart of Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, stands Cabra Castle—a place where history, beauty, and the supernatural intertwine, casting an enchanting but eerie spell close to the Dún a Rí Forest . 

Cabra Castle is given to two castles in this area. One is now only ruins, the other one is turned into a luxury hotel. The centuries-old castle has captured the imagination of travelers and ghost enthusiasts alike, earning a reputation as one of the most haunted hotels in the world, according to a chilling 2010 Trip Advisor ranking.

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

Today it is a hotel as it has been since the 90s, but before that it used to be the land of the O’Reilly clan. This was until Oliver Cromwell took control in the 1600s. The original castle from before this time was destroyed and Cabra House was built on top of the ruins. The ruins of the original Cabra House, or Cabra Castle, can be seen on a slight height near the Wishing Well in what is now Dún a’ Rí Forest Park, formerly part of the Cabra Estate. 

Cabra Castle: Today the Cabra Castle is a luxury hotel. It is said to be haunted of not only one ghost though. //Source: Colette Gemmell/Wikimedia

The rebuilt castle was then called Cormy Castle and the Foster family lived there when the supposed ghost story is said to have happened. The main building was in ruins, destroyed during the Cromwellian War, however, its adjacent courtyard remained in good repair.

A Tale of Forbidden Love

In the 1780s, the castle’s owners had a son who found his heart entwined with that of a servant girl named Sarah. Who this was is not specified, but it is known that John Tomas Foster was the one that took over the castle in 1795, but died shortly after. Although he is not named in any of the stories, he is the heir around that time. If there ever worked a girl named Sarah during that time, is not found any proof of though. 

According to the legend, they managed to keep their relationship a secret for a while, but secrets have a way of unveiling themselves when the truth cannot remain hidden. Sarah’s secret was revealed when she discovered she was with child, a revelation that would prove catastrophic for her and her lover.

A Tragic End

The heir’s family, driven by property and social standing, decreed that Sarah must be silenced. In a macabre turn of events, Sarah was taken from the servants’ quarters of Cabra Castle and dragged into the nearby forest, perhaps the Dún a Rí Forest, where they murdered her and her unborn child.

Legends recount that Sarah met a gruesome end, her lifeless form hanging over a bridge in the dark heart of the forest. But it is said that her spirit did not rest, and the echoes of her tragic tale continue to haunt Cabra Castle to this day.

Sarah’s Bridge: In the Dún a Rí Forest, there is a bridge called Sarah’s Bridge, constructed in 1801, was named in memory of Sarah Mountmorris, who married into the Pratt family. Local legend, on the other hand, tells about a Sarah who had been meeting her boyfriend on the bridge for nearly three decades. One evening, he unexpectedly proposed to her, causing Sarah to fall into the river and drown. To prevent a similar tragedy, side walls were added to the bridge, making it a more secure and less risky place for romantic rendezvous. Therefore it has little to nothing with the Servant Sarah from Cabra Castle.// Source

A Crying Infant in the Night

Visitors to Cabra Castle have reported spine-chilling experiences, where the past and present intersect in eerie ways. In the stillness of the night, some claim to have heard the haunting cries of a baby—an unsettling reminder of the pain and sorrow that once unfolded here.

The courtyard rooms hold their own secrets, with numerous accounts of guests sensing an unexplained “presence” nearby. These encounters have left many with an indelible sense of the uncanny, especially in the courtyard rooms and near the Hanging Tree that is found on the ground. In some version of the story it was from this tree that she was hanged.

The Other Ghost at Cabra Castle

But the ghost of the unfortunate servant girl is not the only ghost said to haunt the old castle. One guest recounted an encounter with a man clad in the uniform of the early 20th century, striding purposefully down a corridor—a figure both mysterious and disconcerting.

Read More: Check out all of the Haunted Castles from around the world

In the dark hours when the veil between worlds seems to waver, others have described hearing the unmistakable sounds of a horse and carriage. These spectral noises, they claim, herald the arrival of a phantom carriage depositing a crying infant at the castle’s steps—a haunting scene that defies explanation.

The Enchantingly Haunted Cabra Castle

The ending of Cabra Castle ghostly tale is as enigmatic as the spirits that wander its halls. While the tragic story of the servant girl’s murder leaves a lingering sense of sorrow and injustice, there is a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.

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

Cabra Castle remains an enchanting yet haunted place, captivating those who dare to visit. Its rich history, mingled with the supernatural, creates an otherworldly experience that leaves an indelible mark on all who wander its storied grounds.

While the tale of the servant girl’s murder remains a haunting reminder of the injustices of the past, Cabra Castle, forever enigmatic and hauntingly beautiful, beckons to those who seek an experience beyond the ordinary. Step into its storied halls, and let the echoes of the past whisper their secrets to you.

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​Ghostly tales of Irish Castles – Original Irish Hotels 

Cabra Castle Hotel | Haunted Cavan, Ireland | Spirited Isle 

Take a Ghost Tour of the Romantic Castles of Ireland | Cabra… 

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The Mystery of the Frozen Ghosts on Catalonia’s Haunted Road

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After a horrible explosion on the road that left a staggering amount of people dead, drivers passing this stretch of road have told tales about strange sightings of frozen ghosts. According to them, they all see the ghosts, frozen in time as if reliving the final moments before the disaster took their life on Catalonia’s Haunted Road. 

Spain is home to some of the most haunted roads in the world. From ghostly hitchhikers to phantom vehicles, these roads can be extremely dangerous at night. Many people have reported strange occurrences while driving on these roads, including sightings of ghosts and other supernatural entities. 

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

People have claimed there is a section of the road at Sant Carles de la Rapita where plenty of drivers have claimed to have seen people, men, women and children watching, not moving a muscle towards the place where the accident happened.

The History of Catalonia’s Haunted road

The road between Tarragona and Castellon in Catalonia has a long history of being one of the most dangerous and haunted roads in Spain that goes in a straight line passing in front of the campsite of Los Alfaques. 

On July 11 in 1978 there was a terrible accident on the road between Tarragona and Castellon in Castalonia when a tanker truck carrying 25 tons of propylene. It was carrying way more than it should and the cistern didn’t have any pressure relief system. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Haunted Roads all around the world.

While driving, this ended in an accident that caused an enormous fireball that ended up killing 243 people staying at the camp.

The car split in two and the whole camp area was filled with the fireball and burning liquid with a temperature of more than 2000 celsius. 

Read the whole New York Times Article Here

The Legend of the Frozen Ghosts

The accident only added to the road’s notoriety. Many people have reported strange occurrences on the road, including sightings of ghostly apparitions and phantom vehicles.

One of the most well-known legends surrounding Catalonia’s haunted road is that of the Frozen Ghosts. According to the legend, the ghosts of the victims of the 1978 accident haunt the road, frozen in time and unable to move on to the afterlife.

Read more: Check out the other mass hauntings after tragic accidents and catastrophes like the Ghosts of the Tsunami in Japan, The Haunting on Jeju Island in Korea or The Joelma Building and the Ghosts of the 13 Souls in Brazil. 

Many people have reported seeing ghostly apparitions on the road, including figures standing motionless on the side of the road. Some have even claimed that they have seen the faces of the victims in the mist that often shrouds the road at night.

First-hand accounts of Encountering the Frozen Ghosts

Some have claimed to have seen ghostly apparitions standing motionless on the side of the road, while others have reported seeing the faces of the victims in the mist that often shrouds the road at night.

There have been many retellings of the horrible accident that happened, and the paranormal phenomena was highlighted when the reporter Javier Perez Campos published his book Los ecos de la tragedia about what happened, and the strange stories that came after.

It asks the question, can ghosts be frozen in time, forever replaying the last seconds before disaster struck and forever put a dent in the straight stretch of haunted road.

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Accidente de Los Alfaques – Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Los 10 tramos de carretera más misteriosos de España