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The Haunting of Maiden Tower and the Mysterious Lady’s Finger

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As a beacon to guide ships safely to Drogheda port, the Maiden Tower at Mornington Beach bears its own histories. It is said that once a woman threw herself from the tower when she thought that her lover had died in the war. 

Perched upon the southern bank at the River Boyne’s mouth in Ireland, two old structures stand sentinel over the waters—an eerie duo that has borne witness to centuries of maritime history. The Maiden Tower, the 60 ft tower on Mornington Beach. The Tower dates all the way back to the 16th century, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The Lady’s Finger is a solitary stone pillar.

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

These two maritime markers served as vital navigational aids for ships venturing into the River Boyne prior to the construction in 1765. The mariners of yore depended on the sight of these structures to safely navigate the river’s winding course.

The Maiden Tower: Looking out from the beach, the tower stands as a beacon for passing ships. There are many legends about this tower, one of them is that it is haunted. On foggy nights, people claim to see a young woman, still waiting for her lover. // Source: Wikimedia

The Waiting Maiden

Amidst the tower’s ancient stones, echoes of folklore and legend resound. One tale tells of a faithful lady who, eagerly awaiting her husband’s return from the war. Before leaving, the woman made her lover promise he would return on a ship with white sails if he lived, and if he did not, the ship would have black sails.

When he finally returned, the sails were black and the woman thought he was dead. Overwhelmed with grief tragically plunged from the tower.Turned out though, that the black sail was either a mistake, or her man had used it to surprise her in a twist.

Lady’s Finger:Wikimedia

When he saw what had happened, he too jumped from the tower to join her in the afterlife.

It is said that ever after, people have seen the ghost of the maiden, standing at the top of the tower, still waiting for the ship to tell that her lover really did survive. 

The Lady’s Finger, a 13ft high obelisk, was said to have been erected in the memory of the tragic maiden that threw herself from the tower. Reportedly the term “Lady’s Finger” was given and the maiden never received a wedding ring.

The Spinning Lady in the Maiden Tower

But amidst the historical accounts and maritime tales, one enigmatic figure remains—a mysterious old woman who, in 1819, took up residence atop the tower. On a Spring morning in 1819 the fishing community of the little village were surprised to see smoke rising from the top of the tower and found the old hermit woman in the tower.

Spinning yarn under a makeshift sail roof, she wove herself into the tapestry of local folklore, earning the moniker ‘the lady of the tower.’ The villagers gave her food daily and looked at her like a holy woman.

As the severe winter of 1821 gripped the land, she left the tower’s solitude to a medical institution, passing away shortly thereafter. She was buried in an unmarked pauper’s grave and no one found out who she was.

The Enduring Mystery of the Maiden Tower

Public access to the tower persisted until the mid-1990s, when a metal grill sealed the raised doorway, safeguarding it from vandalism. In 2003, the metal grill was removed, and the tower suffered desecration. To thwart further intrusions, a solid metal door was erected, barring entry.

The Maiden Tower and the Lady’s Finger, steadfast guardians of the River Boyne, continue to cast their spectral presence over the waters, bearing witness to centuries of maritime history and enigmatic tales that linger on the whispering winds of time.

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The Maiden Tower, Mornington 

Mornington, County Meath – Wikipedia 

Maydenhayes Inspiration | The Maiden Tower & The Lady’s Finger 

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Casa Varela – The Haunted Terror House in Borraxeiros

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For years the Varala family was haunted by mystic forces in their house in Borraxeiros. This poltergeist-like activity was thought to have been brought from South America on one of his travels and was slowly making them go mad in the Casa Varela. 

Are you ready to hear a creepy tale that will send shivers down your spine? There is a haunted house located in Spain that has terrified those who live there. The house is known to be haunted by the lingering ghost of a former inhabitant. 

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

The ghosts inside of Casa Varela has been described as being particularly malevolent and has been seen lurking in the shadows, making eerie noises, and even moving objects.

The Haunting Begins in Casa Varela

Borraxeiros in Pontevedra is one of those places that have historically been known as Deep Galicia. It is in the deepest of the forests where the population is sparse and myths and legends lurk in the shadows between the thick forest. 

Casa Varela: For 5 years the Varela family was terrorized by what they believed was a paranormal phenomenon that haunted them. // Source: Blogspot

This story lasted for 5 years filled with terror for the family that lived in this horror house called Casa Varela. It was owned by D. Manuel Varela who was a simple farmer living with his family, just trying to make ends meet on the farm. 

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

It all began one afternoon in 1916. It was May, and summer and lighter times were all ahead. But not for the Varela family whose house started to have strange things happening. Rain of stones started to drizzle and devastate the house.

Manuel Varela went to the Civil Guard to ask for their help, but they were unable to find the cause of this strange event of Casa Varela. Soon, even more strange things started to haunt the family. 

Objects in the house moved, even the furniture rose through the air and violently crashed the walls. The whole family suffered long sleepless nights and paranoia. What was going on? The spirits tugged at their clothes in the night and slapped and beat them whenever they tried to sleep.

Other harrowing experiences like the bedding being pulled off them, being chased out from the house and flour being thrown in their face, they slowly started to lose their mind, but had nowhere to go. 

In 1921 the events inside of Casa Varela stopped without an explanation and without them really having done anything. It never started again, but for the family, the things that had happened, had forever marked them. 

After 5 years of this nightmare, it was too much for Mr. Varela who ended up crazy and he started talking to himself and visiting the cemetery. The neighbors said he went there to pray because the voices in his head told him to.

Why did this happen to the family? One of the theories was that M. Varela had been living in Cuba for many years before returning to Spain. Some claim that he brought something with him home, some sort of black magic or voodoo from the island far away. 

The Haunted Terror House of Casa Varela Today

Today, there are reports of people seeing lights in the ruins of the Casa Varela as well as moving shadows and what looks like red eyes in the dark. It is said that even cows are scared to get close to the house. The Haunted Terror House of Casa Varela stands as a chilling reminder of the horrors that once plagued the Varela family, and it continues to draw the attention of thrill-seekers and paranormal enthusiasts from all over.

For those who dare to venture inside, they are met with an overwhelming sense of unease as they step through the decaying remnants of the entrance. Many who have entered the Haunted Terror House report strange occurrences and unexplained phenomena. Whispers echo through the halls, and cold drafts send shivers down your spine. Shadows dance in the corners of your vision, disappearing as soon as you turn to look. It’s as if the spirits that once tormented the Varela family still linger within these walls, eager to make their presence known.

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aopedofarelo

4 sitios de España en los que pasar una noche de miedo | Placeres

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The Demon House on Carrer dels Mirallers in Barcelona

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One of the houses on Carrer dels Mirallers in Barcelona city is often called the Demon house because of the rumors about what went on inside the house. According to the legends, it was a place where some stray priests dabbled in the occult, exorcism and possible demonic arts. 

In the shadows of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter you’ll stumble upon a street that harbors a chilling secret. Carrer dels Mirallers, a seemingly unassuming thoroughfare, hides a dark history that has fascinated locals and paranormal enthusiasts for centuries. Known as the Demon House, this enigmatic residence has long been shrouded in mystery, with tales of supernatural phenomena and eerie occurrences circulating among those brave enough to venture near. 

The Legend and History Behind the Demon House

Carrer dels Mirallers, or Mirror Makers Street, is located in Barcelona’s historic Gothic Quarter, a neighborhood steeped in history and folklore. While the street where they used to make mirrors itself may not appear out of the ordinary, it is the stories associated with one particular house that have given it its ominous reputation. The Demon House on No. 7, as it is commonly known, stands as a testament to the dark and mysterious past of the area.

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

One of the buildings on Carrer dels Mirallers is adorned by the head of a woman, signaling that the house at number seven used to be a brothel back in its day. This connection to the world of vice and sin adds an eerie undertone to the already haunting atmosphere surrounding the Demon House. The building’s history as a den of debauchery only scratches the surface of the mysteries that lie within its walls.

The Home of Jacint Verdaguer

Another notable figure associated with the Demon House is Jacint Verdaguer, a famous and renowned Catalan poet living on the 4th floor. Verdaguer lived in the house for a period of time, and his presence has left an indelible mark on the building’s history. While Verdaguer was known for his literary contributions, he also had a penchant for dabbling in the supernatural.

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

In 1870 he decided on another path and became a priest. He was not a priest of the strictest sense of priests however and according to legends, he started to perform exorcisms on people and places.

The Exorcist Priest: Portrait of Jacint Verdaguer by Ramon Casas.

Jacint Verdaguer became acquainted with Father Joaquim Pinyol after a pilgrimage to the holy land that changed him completely. Father Pinyol was obsessed with demons he saw in the city. He founded the Oracion in the street and it became the center for exorcisms and the fight against the devil. And soon Verdaguer joined in. 

Verdaguer was not a priest in the strictest sense, but according to legends, he started to perform exorcisms on people and places. The walls of the Demon House are said to have witnessed Verdaguer’s attempts to banish demonic forces from within. Whether these exorcisms were successful or not remains a mystery, but the stories surrounding Verdaguer’s involvement in the occult only serve to heighten the enigma surrounding the Demon House.

The Exorcisms on Carrer dels Mirallers

The exorcisms that have happened inside of the house, turned out to be quite brutal. They brought the sick into a room decorated like an oratory. They ran riot and the sick ended up eating morsels of glass and needles as they shouted about heaven and hell and everything that was there. 

There were prayers and the next day the priests would mark their lips with a large medal and the people would take out the needles and everything else they had swallowed the day before. 

The Haunted House on No. 7

Of all the houses on Carrer dels Mirallers, the number seven house holds a particularly sinister reputation. It is believed to be haunted by demonic spirits, and those who have ventured inside have reported chilling encounters and unexplained phenomena. The air inside the house is said to be heavy with an otherworldly presence, and visitors often feel an overwhelming sense of unease.

It is said that Verdaguer got too into the dark arts and managed to invoke a demon inside of the house in one of his scenes. It is said that it is still trapped in the house today. 

The Enduring Allure of the Carrer dels Mirallers Demon House

The Carrer dels Mirallers Demon House continues to captivate the imaginations of locals and visitors alike. Its rich history, intertwined with tales of the supernatural, has earned it a place in Barcelona’s folklore. Whether you believe in ghosts and demons or not, there is no denying the eerie allure of the Demon House.

As you wander through the Gothic Quarter, take a moment to pause outside the Demon House. Listen closely, and you may catch a whisper carried on the wind or glimpse a fleeting shadow out of the corner of your eye. The mysteries of the Carrer dels Mirallers Demon House may never be fully unraveled, but that only adds to its enduring fascination.

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una casa per fer exorcismes

Barcelona’s most haunted places – Coffee and Caminos

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The Dark Side of Christmas: La Befana – Italy’s Christmas Witch

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On an eternal path to greet the baby Jesus, the Italian Christmas Witch, La Befana leaves candy for the children and a question to the grown ups: Who was she really, and could her origins be older than her own tradition perhaps?

The Befana comes by night
With her shoes all tattered and torn
She comes dressed in the Roman way
Long live the Befana!

Italy, with its rich tapestry of folklore and traditions, adds a unique twist to the festive season with the legend of La Befana. This Christmas witch, who predates Santa Claus in Italian tradition, is a figure shrouded in mystery, magic, and a touch of spookiness.

La Befana: a custom in January in Rome”, Italian illustration from 1821 showing children and women at a market stall with a Befana figure.

The Legend of La Befana

La Befana is an old woman, often depicted as a witch with a broomstick, who visits children on the night of January 5th, the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany. According to Italian folklore, she flies through the night sky, delivering gifts to children much like Santa Claus does on Christmas Eve. However, La Befana’s tale is much older and imbued with a darker, more mystical aura.

The origins of La Befana’s legend are diverse and multifaceted, drawing from ancient Roman, pagan, and Christian traditions, sources going back as far as the eighth century. Some say it evolved from the Sabine/Roman goddess named Strenia who symbolizes the new year and the seasonal cycles linked to agriculture, or relating to the harvest of the past year, now ready to be reborn as new.

The Goddess Strenua: a Sabine deity associated with the new year, purification, and health, was often depicted with a snake like the Roman God of medicine, Aesculapius. Her cult was introduced by the Sabine King Titus Tatius, and on new year’s day in ancient Rome, her image and branches of bay laurel from her sacred grove were carried in procession from her shrine to the Arx on the Capitoline Hill. The Romans included Strenua in the annual auspices, seeking her blessings for the coming year, and the ceremonies evolved to include the custom of exchanging gifts on the first day of the New Year, often laurel twigs symbolizing good health that were then burned as incense for Strenua.

Some believe that Strenua is the origin of “Befana”. In Italian folklore Befana is an old witch that flies around Italy on a broomstick and comes down chimneys on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) to deliver gifts.On the twelfth night after the winter solstice, the death and rebirth of nature was celebrated through Mother Nature . The Romans believed that in these twelve nights, female figures flew over the cultivated fields, to propitiate the fertility of future crops, hence the myth of the “flying” figure. According to some, this female figure was first identified in Diana , the lunar goddess not only linked to game, but also to vegetation, while according to others she was associated with a minor divinity called Sàtia (goddess of satiety), or Aboundia (goddess of abundance ). Another hypothesis would connect the Befana with an ancient Roman festival, which always took place in winter, in honor of Janus and Strenia (from which the term “strenna” also derives) and during which gifts were exchanged [9] .

One popular version of the story recounts that La Befana was approached by the Three Wise Men during their journey to find the newborn Jesus after the Betlehem appeared in the sky. They asked for directions, but La Befana, busy with her housework, initially refused to help. Later, feeling remorseful, she tried to find the Wise Men and the baby Jesus, bringing gifts for the child. Unable to find them, she continues to search for Jesus every year, leaving gifts for children in the hope that one of them might be the Christ child.

The Spooky Aspect of La Befana

While La Befana is generally seen as a benevolent figure, her appearance and certain aspects of her legend lend her a spooky, witch-like quality. Dressed in tattered clothes, with a soot-covered face from climbing down chimneys, La Befana’s witch-like appearance contrasts sharply with the jolly figure of Santa Claus.

Her annual visit is not without a touch of fear. Italian children believe that La Befana will leave a lump of coal or dark candy if they have been naughty, rather than the sweets and small gifts she bestows upon the well-behaved. The thought of a witch visiting their home in the dead of night can be as thrilling as it is terrifying for young children.

Read More: Check out all haunted legends from the Christmas Season

Moreover, the image of an old witch flying through the night sky, broomstick in hand, evokes classic Halloween imagery, adding a layer of spookiness to the festive season. The idea that she continues her eternal search for the Christ child, year after year, wandering the dark winter skies, gives her story a haunting, almost ghostly dimension.

La Befana’s Rituals and Traditions

In Italy, the arrival of La Befana is celebrated with various customs and traditions. On the night of January 5th, children hang stockings by the fireplace and leave out food and wine for La Befana, hoping to appease the witch and receive her blessings. The next morning, they eagerly check their stockings for gifts or coal, depending on their behavior over the past year.

Throughout Italy, especially in the regions of Rome and the surrounding Lazio area, towns and cities host Epiphany fairs and parades. Dolls are made of her and effigies are burnt and bonfires are often lit.  One of the most famous celebrations takes place in Urbania, where thousands gather to celebrate La Befana with a grand festival featuring street performers, music, and, of course, the arrival of the Christmas witch herself.

La Befana in Modern Culture

Despite her spooky undertones, La Befana remains a beloved figure in Italian culture. She represents the blending of ancient traditions with modern festivities, embodying the spirit of both giving and penance. There is even a Viva la Befana in Roma at St. Peter’s Square in the mornings.

In recent years, La Befana has also become a symbol of female empowerment and independence, reflecting the strength and resilience of the old woman who braves the winter night alone. La Befana’s tale is a fascinating blend of whimsy, mystery, and a hint of spookiness. As Italy’s Christmas witch, she adds a unique and eerie charm to the festive season, reminding us that the magic of Christmas is not just about joy and light, but also about the mysteries that lurk in the shadows Her story continues to captivate and enchant, ensuring that the Christmas witch will remain an enduring part of Italy’s rich cultural heritage.

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References:

La Befana: an Epiphany tradition in Italy – Wanted in Rome 

Screw Santa Claus and Celebrate Befana, Italy’s Kidnapping Christmas Witch 

La Befana brings holiday treats 12 days after Christmas – The Washington Post 

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The Dark Side of Christmas: The Terrifying Legend of Père Fouettard from Lorraine

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One of the many evil helpers of St. Nicholas, coming during the Christmas season to punish children, we find the story about Père Fouettard, or Father Whipper from Lorraine.

While Christmas is often associated with joy, kindness, and festive cheer, certain legends remind us that this season also harbors a darker side. One such legend is that of Père Fouettard, or Father Whipper, a fearsome figure who emerges from the folklore of Lorraine, France, to cast a sinister shadow over the holiday celebrations.

He is one of the many helpers of St. Nicholas to punish the bad children together with Krampus, Frau Perchta and Hans Trapp among others in areas that culturally used to be a part of the Holy Roman Empire. This particular helper is mostly known in the north and east in Franche, South in Belgium and in the French speaking part of Switzerland. 

The Origins of Père Fouettard

The story of Père Fouettard dates back to 1252. The legend was particularly popular in the regions of Lorraine and Alsace, where he became an integral part of the Christmas traditions.

Père Fouettard is often depicted as a grim, bearded man dressed in dark, tattered robes, wielding a whip, switch, or rod. His face is sometimes shown as sinister and sooty, reflecting his role as a punisher of naughty children. The character is believed to have been inspired by various European tales of dark, punitive figures who accompanied benevolent gift-givers during the festive season.

The Dark Tale of Père Fouettard

One of the most chilling versions of Père Fouettard’s origin story involves a gruesome crime. According to the legend, Père Fouettard was once an innkeeper or butcher who, along with his wife, lured three wealthy boys into their home. The couple murdered the children, planning to rob them and in the darkest versions, cut them up to eat them. 

However, their heinous act was discovered by Saint Nicholas, who revived the boys and condemned Père Fouettard to an eternity of penance, or just simply forces him. 

In some versions of the story, the children were salted and left in barrels for around seven years until St. Nicholas came knocking on their door. 

As punishment, Père Fouettard was forced to serve as Saint Nicholas’s dark companion, responsible for doling out punishments to naughty children. While Saint Nicholas would reward the good children with gifts and sweets, Père Fouettard would whip the misbehaving ones, leaving them with painful reminders of their misdeeds.

Père Fouettard in Christmas Traditions

In many parts of France and Belgium, Père Fouettard is still a prominent figure in Christmas celebrations. On December 6th, Saint Nicholas Day, he accompanies Saint Nicholas on his rounds, adding a touch of fear to the festive joy. The contrast between the kind, generous Saint Nicholas and the fearsome Père Fouettard serves as a moral lesson, reinforcing the importance of good behavior throughout the year.

Read More: Check out all haunted legends from the Christmas Season

Children are often warned that if they do not behave, Père Fouettard will pay them a visit, armed with his whip or rod. This fearsome aspect of Christmas traditions acts as a cautionary tale, ensuring that children remain on their best behavior during the holiday season.

The Enduring Legacy of Père Fouettard

Despite his terrifying reputation, Père Fouettard remains an integral part of the Christmas folklore in many French-speaking regions. His story has been passed down through generations, evolving over time but retaining its core message of reward and punishment. The local twist on this story though, might come from when Charles V attacked Metz and the tanner’s guild came up with the story, making an effigy of the emperor with a whip to mock him. After the siege, it is said that the stories merged. 

Modern interpretations of Père Fouettard often tone down his more gruesome aspects, portraying him as a stern but necessary figure who helps maintain the balance between good and bad. However, his presence in the festive season still serves as a reminder that Christmas, with all its joy and warmth, also has a darker side that must be acknowledged.

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References:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/pere-fouettard-french-christmas-monster

Père Fouettard: Unraveling the Dark Side of Christmas in France – French Moments 

Père Fouettard – Wikipedia 

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The Dark Side of Christmas: The Legend of Frau Perchta

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During the Christmas season, tales were told of Frau Perchta, who would visit people’s home and check if they had been good or bad. She would reward the good ones, but punish the bad ones by slicing their bellies open.

Christmas, a season synonymous with joy, love, and warmth, also harbors chilling legends that evoke a sense of fear and caution. Among these eerie tales is that of Frau Perchta, often known as the Alpine Goddess of Winter, The Belly Slitter and the Witch of Christmas, a figure from Alpine folklore whose story casts a dark shadow over the festive season. Known as the Christmas witch, Frau Perchta is a sinister counterpart to the more benign Christmas legends, embodying a blend of pagan and Christian traditions that make her one of the most terrifying characters of the holiday season.

Haunted Christmas Legend: Perechta and goat in the vicinity of Milevsko. Photographed by Štěpán Dvořák around 1910

The Origins of Frau Perchta

Frau Perchta’s legend is deeply rooted in the folklore of Austria, Germany, Slovenia and other Alpine regions. Her name, which varies in spelling and pronunciation, is believed to derive from the Old High German word “perht,” meaning “bright” or “shiny.” However, despite this seemingly benign name, Frau Perchta is far from a benevolent figure. She has been given many names, many being like Perchta, Bertha and sometimes she was known as Posterli, Quatemberca and Fronfastenweiber

Originally, Frau Perchta was a goddess of nature and fertility, associated with the cycles of life and the changing seasons probably stemming from Holda or Frija-Frigg. There are also connections to the women in white trope and belief from German pagan lore.

As Christianity spread through Europe, many pagan traditions and deities were transformed or demonized, and Frau Perchta’s image darkened significantly. Even Martin Luther mentioned her in a negative way. She became a figure of fear and moral retribution, known for her dual nature: rewarding the good and punishing the wicked.

Frigga Spinning the Clouds: Could the ugly witch of Christmas actually come from the legends about Frigga and or other fertility goddesses in pagan times? Many of the more monstrous and witch like characters in Christian folklore, often morphed goddesses like this to more evil and horrible characters.

The Dual Nature of Frau Perchta

Frau Perchta’s dual nature is central to her legend. On one hand, she is a kind and generous figure, rewarding those who have been good and industrious throughout the year, appearing beautiful and white as snow. On the twelfth night of Christmas, known as Epiphany or Perchtennacht, she would visit homes and leave a silver coin in the shoes of those who had completed their tasks and behaved well.

On the other hand, Frau Perchta is a fearsome and malevolent presence. She is often depicted as a haggard old woman with a beaked nose, dressed in rags and carrying a long knife hidden beneath her skirts. This darker aspect of her nature comes to the fore when she encounters those who have been lazy, disobedient, or dishonest.

The Spooky Tale of Frau Perchta

Perchta: Peruchty in Hrdly, Kingdom of Bohem 1910

The most chilling aspect of Frau Perchta’s legend is her method of punishment. According to the tales, Frau Perchta would enter homes on the twelfth night of Christmas to check if children and servants had worked hard and behaved well throughout the year. If she found them wanting, she would do more than just leave a lump of coal or a switch.

In the darkest versions of the legend, Frau Perchta would slit open the bellies of the lazy and deceitful, remove their internal organs, and stuff the cavity with straw, pebbles, or other harsh materials. This gruesome punishment was meant to serve as a dire warning to children and adults alike, ensuring they adhered to societal norms and performed their duties diligently.

That is the main core legend about her today, but there are many stories. Like about when she crashed a wedding she wasn’t invited to and cursed them all and transformed them into wolves. 

Traveling the Wild Hunt of Twelve Days of Christmas

She is said to be more of a witch now, flying in the sky, attending the Wild Hunt together with the rest of the demonic forces of Christmas on Rauhnächte, the darkest night of the season. She is followed by her crowd of minions known as Perchten, said to be unbaptised children who died.

Read More: Check out all haunted legends from the Christmas Season

Today in some parts of Austria and Bavaria, there are processions called Perchtenlauft of Schönperchten and Schiachperchten, beautiful and ugly Perchtas during the twelve nights between Christmas and Epiphany. People are wearing masks, making noise and setting off fireworks.

Schiechperchten: Frau Perchta with her minions in her own parade known as Schiechperchten in St. Johann from 2017. // Source: Holger Uwe Schmitt/Wikimedia

You are supposed to leave her a little tribute as well and that varies from region to region. They gave her dumplings and herring in Central Germany’s Thuringia, a porridge of oats and herring called Perchtenmilch in parts of Austria, or eggs and more dumplings, left on the roof, in Tyrol.

So by Perctentag Eve on January the fifth, you better have your house in order and spinning done, if not, the christmas witch will come and get you. 

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References:

The Story of Christmas Goddess Perchta, a Belly-Slitting, Half-Woman Demon 

Fearsome Frau Perchta Is an Ancient Alpine Winter Goddess – Atlas Obscura 

Perchta – Wikipedia 

Frau Perchta, Terrifying Christmas Witch – Boroughs of the Dead 

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The Dark Side of Christmas: Hans Trapp — The Child Eating Scarecrow

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The children of Alsace are often reminded to watch out for Hans Trapp, a cursed Baron now dressing as a scarecrow, waiting for passing by children. Today now also said to be one of Santa’s helpers, punishing the bad children.

When the festive season rolls around, most of us are filled with joy, anticipation, and warmth as we prepare for Christmas. However, lurking in the shadows of holiday cheer, some tales remind us of the darker side of this time of year. Among these is the chilling legend of Hans Trapp, a figure from Alsatian folklore whose story is steeped in terror and moral warning. 

“Hans Trapp is coming for Christmas” parents in the Lorraine and Alsace regions on the German and French border can say. But he is not there to give presents, but beatings and is said to be a cannibal dressed up as a scarecrow, hungry for children.

The Christ child and Hans Trapp: The Christ Child is one of the good helpers to Santa Claus. Parts of Europea white-skinned, fresh-faced version of Jesus does the job of delivering presents. He often appears dressed in white—sometimes with wings. The Christ child can be anywhere from age two to twenty-two, and pretty much always blonde. Sometimes he’s not even the actual Jesus, but a young angel , heralding the arrival of Jesus. Here he is distributed gifts while Hans Trapp stuffed the naughties into a sack to eat later.

The Origins of Hans Trapp

The legend of Hans Trapp originates from the region of Alsace, which straddles the border between France and Germany. This area has a rich tapestry of folklore, where the lines between the real and the supernatural often blur. Hans Trapp is one such figure, deeply rooted in the region’s history and culture.

All the way north in the region you will find Wissembourg, now a border area, but back then, part of the Holy Roman Empire.

Hans Trapp, or Hans von Trotha, which was his actual name, was once a wealthy and powerful man, known for his insatiable greed and cruelty living at Berwartstein Castle, born in the mid 1400s. His riches were acquired through ruthless means, and he was feared and despised by those who lived in his dominion. According to legend, his malevolence grew so great that he dabbled in black magic and made a pact with the Devil to increase his wealth and power.

There are many stories, but what we do know is that he came into a fight with the Abbot of Wissembourg about land, and Hans Trapp decided to cut off their water supply in retaliation. He built a dam on top of the Wieslauter to stop its flow down to Wissembourg, flooding the abbot’s land. 

When they demanded he stop though, he destroyed the dam, causing a flooding, gushing down the mountain, flooding the town. 

Hans Trapp’s actions did not go unnoticed. But the Holy Roman Emperor did nothing to stop him. His heinous deeds and dark practices eventually drew the attention of the Church. The pope summoned him, but he refused. Instead he called the pope all sorts of immoral things. He was excommunicated by the church and banished from society, a punishment he hated. He was sent to French court instead during the Italian wars, dying in 1503 at his castle and his lineage died out around 40 years after his death.

The Burg Berwartstein: Berwartstein is a castle in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, and where Hans von Trotha lived, the one that would mostly be remembered as Hans Trapp, scarecrow and child eater.

The Legacy of Hans Trapp

People started in the following years after his death to attribute horrible things to him, even changing his name to Tapp, where trappen is to make a noise while walking in order to chase away spirits. Soon he was turned into a devilish figure, a demon and a spook, always after revenge on those who wronged him. 

In the legend he is mostly talked about as a hermit, excommunicated to the woods, not to court. They tell about him living in the forest and building a shelter on the mountain of Geisberg in Bavaria in Germany, turning less and less human, living by luring children into his lair to eat them. One story tells that God himself turned him into a scarecrow because he devoured a young shepherd. 

Another version claimed it was Trapp who dressed up as a scarecrow to lure the children, stuffing his clothes with straw and hiding among the fields. As time went by after his exile, he turned mad, bitter and hungry for both revenge and flesh. With a grim visage and a sinister air, he would wait for his next victim.

One day, Hans Trapp set his sights on a young boy from a nearby village, only ten years old. He captured the child and took him back to his lair in the woods. As he prepared to cook and eat the boy, cooking him over the open fire, a divine intervention occurred. A bolt of lightning struck Hans Trapp down, killing him instantly and saving the child from a gruesome fate.

Le Hans Trapp: Man dressed up as the scarecrow man with the sack Christmas of 1953 in Wintzenheim (Alsace, France)

D’r Hans Trapp
Schoi, do kummt d’r Hans Trapp.
Ar het a scheni Zepfelkapp’
Un a Bart wiss wie a Schimmel.
Ar kummt vum schena Starnehimmel
Un bringt da Kinder a Ruada,
Wu net dien singe un bata.
Schoi, Hans Trapp, mir sin so klein
Un brav un folje d’heim.
Müesch net kumme mit dim Stacka,
Denn mir kenne singe un oi bata.

English Translation

The Hans Trapp
Look, there’s Hans Trapp.
He’s got a nice pointed hood
And a beard as white as a white horse.
He comes from the starry sky
He brings a rod to the children
Who neither sing nor pray.
Look, Hans Trapp, we are so small
We are wise and we follow the house.
You don’t need to come with your rod,
For we know how to sing and pray.

The Haunting of Christmas

Though Hans Trapp was destroyed, his evil spirit was not at rest. According to legend, he continues to roam the region, especially during the Christmas season as he became the helper of St. Nicholas to punish children. Some claim that St. Nicholas happened to walk past as Trapp was struck by lightning. He came with him and has since tried to redeem himself for his sins. Another version for why he is involved in the Christmas season is, well… Misbehaving children need a story. 

Read More: Check out all haunted legends from the Christmas Season

Much like Krampus, Hans Trapp is said to visit misbehaving children, but his presence is far more sinister. It is said he is riding his black horse on the countryside of northern Alsace looking for vengeance. On St. Nicholas’ Eve he takes part in the parade of the holy man in the region. He embodies the fearsome consequences of moral corruption and the dangers that lurk in the darkness.

Parents in Alsace would tell their children the story of Hans Trapp to instill good behavior and to keep them from wandering too far from home. The tale serves as a chilling reminder that while Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, it also has its shadows.

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References:

The Child-Eating Scarecrow Of Christmas | Mat Auryn 

Hans von Trotha – Wikipedia 

Folklore’s Scariest Creatures: Hans Trapp – Writing Werewolf 

Hans Trapp, the terror of the children of Alsace – French Moments 

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The Dark Side of Christmas: The Haunting Legend of Krampus and Krampusnacht

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By Santa’s side, you will sometimes find his evil companion, Krampus, finding children and punishing them if they have been bad. But who really is this monster, coming after you on Krampusnacht.

When we think of Christmas, images of jolly Santa Claus, reindeer, and brightly wrapped presents come to mind. Family gathers for meals by the Christmas tree and it is all around a jolly festivity. However, nestled within the festive cheer of December lies a darker, more sinister figure from Alpine folklore: Krampus. This half-goat, half-demon creature is said to haunt the Christmas season that starts early in December in some parts of Europe, offering a chilling contrast to the joyous celebrations.

Origins of Krampus from the European Alps

Krampus’ origins can be traced back to pre-Christian Alpine traditions, stretching through many European countries, where he was believed to be a pagan entity associated with winter and inspired by the mythological creature of Perchten or Straggele. The tradition of Krampus has often mostly been celebrated in Austria, Hungary and Germany, but there are also cases in the surrounding alpine countries.

Krampus is thought to come from either Bavarian: krampn, meaning “dead”, “rotten”, or from the German: kramp/krampen, meaning “claw”. Where does he come from? Some say that he is the son of Hel in Norse mythology, popularized by an American artist, and it also shares some things with satyrs and fauns from Greek mythology. Krampus is typically depicted with long, curved horns, a lolling tongue, and a body covered in fur. Chains and bells often hang from his body, symbolizing the binding of the Devil by the Christian Church.

As Christianity spread through Europe, Krampus was incorporated into Christian traditions, specifically as a counterpart to Saint Nicholas and this is really where his popularity and lore took off. Perhaps losing a bit of his pagan touch like a pan-like creature, morphing into something more devilish.  

While Saint Nicholas rewards well-behaved children with gifts, Krampus punishes those who have been naughty, beating them with a stick, stuffing them in a sack and taking them away. A sort of St. Nicholas helper. This duality embodies the balance between reward and punishment, good and evil, that pervades much of folklore.

The Night of Krampus: Krampusnacht

On the night of December 5th, known as Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night, the demon emerges to roam the streets. In towns across Austria, Germany, and other parts of Europe, men dress up as Krampus and participate in parades known as Krampuslauf, or Krampus Run. During these events, the costumed figures terrorize onlookers with their ghastly appearances and playful, yet alarming antics.

This is based on the old legend of how the young men with their cow bells and sticks disperse the winter’s ghosts.

According to legend, Krampus carries a bundle of birch sticks to swat naughty children and a sack or basket on his back to cart off those he deems particularly bad. The threat of being caught by Krampus is meant to encourage good behavior among children, serving as a dark reminder of the consequences of misdeeds.

Read More: Check out all haunted legends from the Christmas Season

Although the tradition has started to pick up again, it wasn’t always like it. After the first world war they started to ban Krampus traditions and for a time, they almost disappeared entirely. 

Krampuslauf: From the Krampus run in 2010 where around 300 scary, dark figures strolled around the Grazer Krampuslauf and were accompanied by a heavy snowfall and numerous visitors through the Grazer Herrengasse.

The Modern Krampus

In recent years, Krampus has experienced a resurgence in popularity, crossing over into mainstream culture. Why? Is it how Europeans are connecting more with their pagan roots? Perhaps because of how modern society is diverting more and more from its classic christian and religious connotations? Perhaps throughout the years he has turned more devil-like than goat-like, especially in popular culture. 

Horror films, books, and television shows have introduced Krampus to new audiences, solidifying his role as a dark counterbalance to the merriment of Christmas. While many still celebrate Krampusnacht with traditional parades and festivities, the legend of Krampus has also sparked a fascination with the more macabre aspects of the holiday season.

Krampus Postcards: For a time it was very popular to send Christmas cards of Krampus, in his usual habitat where he was punishing children. There were also many grown up themes with having Krampus as a boyfriend and the likes.

A Throwback to Ancient Christmas Times

Krampus stands as a stark reminder that Christmas is not solely a time of joy and generosity. His haunting presence and the eerie stories that surround him add a layer of complexity to the festive season, blending ancient folklore with modern traditions. 

Whether viewed as a cautionary figure or a symbol of the darker side of human nature, Krampus continues to captivate and terrify, ensuring that the spirit of Christmas is never taken for granted. To appease him, it is said you should offer him some Schnapps. As the night of Krampusnacht approaches, remember to be on your best behavior, for you never know when the demon of Christmas might pay you a visit.

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References:

Who is Krampus? Explaining Santa Claus’s Scary Christmas Counterpart 

Krampus – Wikipedia 

The Origin of Krampus, Europe’s Evil Twist on Santa | Smithsonian 

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The Ghostly Gathering of Poland’s Kings in the Dragon’s Den on Christmas Eve

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Deep under the Wawel Castle in Kraków, in the caves known as the Dragon’s Den, a royal gathering is said to happen every Christmas Eve. All former Kings that once ruled Poland come together in a ghostly reunion to discuss how their country is going. 

Beneath the historic Wawel Castle in Kraków, the former capital of Poland, lies a labyrinthine cave known as the Dragon’s Den, or Smocza Jama. This legendary limestone cave leading to the bank of the Vistula, steeped in myth and history, is said to be the haunt of the fearsome Wawel Dragon. 

However, a more spectral tale weaves through the stone corridors of this eerie underworld stretching 276 meters: the ghosts of Poland’s kings are rumored to gather here on Christmas Eve, shrouded in an ethereal glow and cloaked in mystery.

Wawel Castle: In the winter time, it is said that the old King’s of Poland gathers under the castle on Christmas Eve.

Wawel Royal Castle

The castle Zamek Królewski na Wawelu on the limestone outcrop Wawel Hill is a fortified place established by the orders of King Casimir III the Great who reigned in the 1300s, although some of the oldest buildings can be traced back to 970. Over the centuries the building grew and today it has some representation of almost all European styles stretching from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque period. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Haunted Castles

The castle used to be the residence of the Polish kings for centuries and at its peak, the seat of one of Europe’s most important states and is today the 20th most visited art museum in the world. Now, there are no more kings in Poland except those from history and said to be haunting the Dragon’s Den, said to be where a legendary dragon lived centuries ago. 

The Legend of the Wawel Dragon

Statue made as remembrance of the Wawel Dragon

The legend of the Wawel Dragon, Smok Wawelski, dates back to the early Middle Ages when King Krak established Krakow, when the beast was said to terrorize the local populace, demanding tribute in the form of livestock and maidens. The king’s son managed to stop the dragon when he fed it sheep filled with sulfur. 

However, the younger prince wanted the credit for it, and killed his brother. He was banished though and Princess Wanda got the kingdom. The oldest written telling of the story came in a 12th century work in Wincenty Kadłubek’s Chronica Polonorum, but the legend got many adaptations.

Read also: The Myths and Legends of Frankenstein Castle, another haunted castle said to have had a dragon living there. 

Throughout the years, the legends changed, sometimes it was the king himself who freed them. But the most retold legend tells about how the dragon met its demise at the hands of a clever shoemaker or cobbler named Krak, who fed it a sheep filled with sulfur. It had to drink gallons of water from the River Vistula until it exploded. Krak then married the princess and became king. He built his castle on top of the hill and former dragon’s lair. The creature’s fiery end marked the beginning of the Dragon’s Den’s sinister reputation, a reputation that would only grow with time.

The Wawel Dragon: in Sebastian Münster’s Cosmographie Universalis (1544)

The Royal Ghosts of Wawel

The Wawel Castle has long been the seat of Polish royalty, hosting kings and queens, their courts, and their secrets. It is said that the spirits of these monarchs, unable to rest peacefully in their royal tombs, are drawn to the Dragon’s Den on the holiest night of the year. The Dragon’s Den’s entrance can be found next to the Thieves Tower at the southwestern end of the castle grounds.

There are many strange talks about what really is inside of these caves. King Kazimir in the 11th claims that when he was a child, he went into one of the tunnels and found a glowing stone that contained magical energy that protects Krakow from invasion and harm. 

It is also worth noting that there were both taverns and brothels inside of the cave systems that kings frequented through hidden corridors. So what the kings really return to inside of the cave, who really knows. 

But the strangest haunted rumor is definitely the annual Christmas tradition that the ghost of the former kings have started, as they all gather here on Christmas Eve

Ghostly Gathering for Christmas in the Dragon’s Den

Christmas Eve, a time when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is believed to be thinnest, sees the cavern come alive with ghostly activity.  As the clock strikes midnight, the spectral forms of Poland’s past rulers emerge from the shadows, gathering in the cave for a macabre reunion. Cloaked in regal attire, these phantoms carry with them the weight of centuries of history, their translucent forms shimmering in the dim light of the cave.

As the bell tolls, the ringing wakes a pair of enchanted knights who leave the cave and rides to the castle. They knock on the door of the chamber under the castle itself to wake King Bolesław Chrobry the Brave who was the first crowned king of Poland. He then takes the throne for one night only and leads the council of the dead kings that have gathered.

Read: Check out all ghost stories from the Christmas season

Among the spectral assembly, the imposing figure of King Casimir III the Great is often recognized. Known for his extensive contributions to Polish law and infrastructure, his ghostly presence commands respect even in death. Another frequent apparition is that of King Sigismund III Vasa, whose reign saw the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth reach its zenith. Their spirits, along with those of other monarchs, gather to recount their deeds, their triumphs, and their regrets.

Source: Flickr

The Christmas Eve Spectacle

The ghosts of Poland’s kings, gathering in the Dragon’s Den on Christmas Eve, provide a haunting reminder of the country’s rich and turbulent history. Their spectral assembly, shrouded in mystery and bathed in the glow of the supernatural, continues to captivate the imaginations of those who hear the tale. Over the Wawel Cathedral where the burial site of at least 16 different kings is, there has been hanging Dragon bones next to the entrance since the 16th century. The legend is, if they ever break or fall, Krakow will go under. 

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References:

dragon’s den and other wawel castle curiosities 

Dragon’s den – Wawel Royal Castle – official website – tickets, informations, reservations 

Smocza Jama – Wikipedia 

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The Ghost of Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville and His Headless Dog: A Christmas Haunting

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A cruel and rebel knight is said to have cursed all of his properties he was robbed off. Now, it is said that the ghost of Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville is appearing on Christmas Eve together with his headless dogs on his former estates.

In the chilly stillness of Christmas Eve 1932, a small group of curious people gathered at a bridge over Pymms Brook in Oak Hill Park in East Barnet in the North London Suburb. Midnight approached, and with it came the echo of “uncanny sounds” that beckoned them southwards. They followed these spectral noises through the cold night until they reached Monks Frith, where they were met with an eerie sight they had long anticipated: the apparition of a headless hound. Moments later, the shimmering figure of a knight clad in silver armor and a flowing red cloak appeared, completing the haunting tableau.

Oak Hill Park: A bridge in the Oak Hill Park in East Barnet.

Oak Hill Park and The Ghost Promenade

The group gathered at Oak Hill Park was not there by mere chance. They had come to witness a haunting that has been whispered about for centuries, a spectral procession that recurs every six years during the Christmas season. The place where he was seen was even called The Ghost Promenade. 

In 1926 there was also a watchman at work in Church Hill Road. According to Mr. Gibson saw the ghost as a skeleton, still wearing a metal breast plate and a black cape. When there was a group trying to stay at the night-watchman’s hut they didn’t see anything, but heard it all. According to them, just past midnight, a rumbling of many hoofs came through and the ground shook. 

It is said that in the early 1930s on a clear summer’s day, there was an ancient oak tree by Church Hill Road that, without any reason, burst into flames. Although it was much speculated about, no one really found the reason behind it and it just turned into the many strange things said to happen in the park. It was also said that it was under this tree, the religious self described prophet Joanna Southcott sat under when she got her visions left in her box. 

The ghostly knight and his headless canine companion are said to roam the southern Hertfordshire and northern Middlesex regions, a chilling reminder of a turbulent past. This spectral knight is none other than Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville.

Church Hill Road: Entrance to the Oak Hill Park from Church Hill Road. This is the place where the cursed knight is said to have made an appearance. // Source: David Howard

The Anarchy and Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville’s Curse

Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville lived through one of England’s most chaotic periods, known as the Anarchy. This civil war, characterized by brutal power struggles between King Stephen and Empress Matilda for the English throne, saw many noblemen shifting allegiances over the two decades it lasted. 

Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville, the Earl of Essex, was a significant figure during this time as the first constable of the Tower of London, with manors in Barnet, South Mimms, and Monken Hadley. He was from an old family with his Grandfather appointed an earl by William the Conqueror. He was known as a cunning man though and his life was marked by betrayal to both sides, rebellion, and excommunication and is said to have been the worst of the cruel and lawless barons during this era.

In 1143, after being arrested and stripped of his lands by King Stephen, Geoffrey launched a rebellion, seizing and fortifying Ramsey Abbey. He retreated as a rebel and bandit in the fen-country east in England. There he used the Isle of Ely and the Ramsey Abbey as his headquarters and the legends around him grew.

His desecration of the abbey led to his excommunication by the Pope, and chronicler Henry of Huntingdon wrote that during Geoffrey’s occupation, “blood exuded from the walls of the church and cloister adjoining, witnessing the divine indignation.”

Geoffrey died in battle in 1144 after being shot by an arrow when he was laying siege to Burwell Castle, still under excommunication, and was denied a Christian burial.  His body was placed in a lead coffin by the Knights Templars; he was finally accepted a burial within the Temple Church in London. Before this though, his body was left in the Old Temple in Holborn for 20 years. Some say that it was hung from a tree in the casket.

The Grave of the Knight: His grave was found in the Templers church in London. After many years, he was finally put to rest and his exile was lifted years after his death.

The Haunting of The Granges

So where were the estates he owned? It is said that it was around ten. One is around East Barnet, where the sighting of him can be seen in Oak Park. On top of Mandeville’s old fortress in East Barnet they built an old house on top of the Grange. When they dug into the foundations, disturbing it, a haunting started. They saw stamping of footsteps and clanking of spurs. 

As with Oak Park, people also claimed to have seen the same sight of a man on horse, dressed for battle.

Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville Haunting Hertfordshire Enfield Chase

Despite Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville’s tumultuous life largely unfolding away from Hertfordshire, his spirit is said to patrol the lands around Enfield Chase, an area that straddles Hertfordshire and Middlesex. These lands were once part of his power base, and his titles included Sheriff of Hertfordshire and was in the family for hundreds of years. 

The exact reason for his spectral presence in these areas is unclear, but it may be linked to a curse he allegedly laid upon the foundation of Walden Abbey and other properties he owned.

He said if you took away his endowments to it they would:  “feel the curse of Almighty God, of St Mary, of blessed James the Apostle and of all the saints in this present life; and that in life to come may he receive everlasting torment with the traitor Judas, unless he repents and makes amends.” 

This curse seemingly came to pass during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, potentially binding Geoffrey’s spirit to these lands in eternal indignation and making him return every 6 years to his former estates.

The Red-Cloaked Knight’s Return

Legend has it that Sir Geoffrey’s ghost, accompanied by his headless dog, appears every six years around Christmas Eve. Where the dog comes from though is uncertain. Witnesses have described the headless hound as a chilling prelude to the knight himself, who follows closely behind in his spectral armor and blood-red cloak, or black. This haunting presence serves as a stark reminder of the violence and curses of the past.

The next anticipated sighting of the Red-Cloaked Knight and his ghostly companion is said to be in 2028. Those who find themselves on the old lands of Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville on Christmas Eve might just encounter the eerie figures that have haunted this area for centuries.

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References:

London Ghosts 

Geoffrey de Mandeville, 1st earl of Essex | Norman Conquest, Feudalism & Rebellion | Britannica 

Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville — the Red-Cloaked Knight | Nobility, Hertfordshire Traditions in Hertfordshire Archives & Local Studies, Supernatural and unexplained phenomena | Herts Memories

Geoffrey de Mandeville, Earl of Essex – Wikipedia 

East Barnet ghost stories