Ballinagarde House is today only ruins, but once it was a stately home with strange ties to the Limerick Hellfire Club that is steeped in mystery. There is also said that the Devil himself came for a visit.
In its heyday, Ballinagarde House, locally known as The Grange, was a symbol of prestige and social standing, a stately mansion that spoke of its owner’s prominence in society. Built in 1774 in Limerick in Ireland by John Croker, this magnificent residence once bore witness to opulence and affluence, yet its halls now echo with the eerie whispers of history and ghostly legends.
John Croker, the son of the John that built the mansion, was also considered a fair landlord that helped the local community during the Great Famine in Ireland. However, the lasting impression of the Croker family was that they were unpleasant and stubborn folk, especially the next couple of generations.
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However, like many grand estates, its fate took a dark turn as the weight of financial misfortune and bankruptcy cast a shadow over its future. Over the years, the house dwindled from a majestic abode to a mere shell of its former self—a haunting transformation that mirrors the ghostly tales that surround it until it was abandoned by the Croker family in the 1930s.
When the Devil Came to Visit
When John Croker’s son, Edward took over the mansion however, it all changed. He was not well liked and was known to just spend his days spending his family fortune. It is also said that he was the one that brought the devil back to Ballingarde House.
Edward had encountered a stranger on horseback on his travels and invited him back to the house for dinner. In true Irish fashion they welcomed the weary traveler into their home, offering warmth, sustenance, and the quintessential Irish hospitality.
As the night wore on and the guest succumbed to a deep slumber, a servant was removing the visitor’s boots.
The legend speaks of the servant’s shock and disbelief as they uncovered a sight that defied all reason—an otherworldly transformation that revealed the unmistakable hooves of the Devil himself. The visitor, it seemed, was no ordinary mortal but a sinister entity in disguise, slipping into the warmth of the house to deceive and bewilder.
Ever since then, locals have told about a mysterious man seen on a horse coming toward the ruins of the house, and there is still a local saying when stating a fact that goes like: “As sure as the devil was in Ballinagarde.”
Not the Only Place for the Legend
Though the tale may seem like a mere folktale or a product of the imagination, it has become an indelible part of Ballinagarde House’s enigmatic history. The spectral echoes of this peculiar encounter resonate through the halls, leaving visitors to wonder whether the legend may hold a grain of truth.
When the Devil came to visit: The story about a visitor turning out to be the devil himself is a story told throughout Ireland, especially from the old mansions, and especially those mansions that have a connection to the Hellfire Club. This was a gentleman’s club in Ireland and Britain, known for its debauchery and interest in the occult.
Actually, the tale of the Devil coming to a grand house only to be revealed because of his hooves is not only told in Bellingarde House. The Hellfire Club in Dublin as well as the haunted Loftus Hall also have very similar stories about this.
There are even rumors that Edward was in fact a part of the Hellfire Club in Limerick himself and his mansion was the original meeting place.
Ballinagarde House Today
Today, Ballinagarde House may stand as a ghostly shell of its former glory and is close to a pile of rubble, but its walls remain steeped in history and intrigue. It invites those who dare to explore its eerie confines to uncover the mysteries that shroud this once-grand mansion.
With legends of diabolical disguises and supernatural encounters, Ballinagarde House continues to be a place where the line between reality and the paranormal blurs, beckoning the curious to delve deeper into its haunting past.
This haunted Parador of Jaen Luxury Hotel is said to be haunted by more than one ghost. A broken hearted woman haunts the rooms, the ghost of two lovers haunts the ground as well as a fable of a so-called Terrible Lizard man that starved to death haunting the dungeons of the former Castillo de Santa Catalina.
Spain is a country that is known for its rich history and vibrant culture. It’s also known for its haunted hotels. If you are a fan of paranormal activity, staying at a haunted hotel in Spain may be just the thing for you. These hotels have been around for many years and are believed to be haunted by ghosts of the past. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most haunted hotels in Spain that you can stay in and the ghosts that are said to be lingering inside the rooms. Are you brave enough to spend a night in one of these haunted hotels?
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This particular haunted hotel can be found in the olive oil producing center of Spain, sitting on the Cerro de Santa Catalina looking over the Spanish city of Jaen.
The Arabic Castle
The Castillo de Santa Catalina was first built in the 8th century as a Moorish castle, they have a long history with bloody battles as well as a tragic ghost story of a woman with a broken heart.
Overlooking the Andalusian landscape and serving local food like the ajoblanco in the distinctive architecture of the province that remains a mix of the arabic, catholic and napoleon architecture of those who were the owners of the castle throughout time. The hotel is also known to serve up some spooky ghost stories.
Now the former Castillo de Santa Catalina and fortress has been reworked to a hotel next to the castle in 1965 where more than one ghost resides inside of the fine hotel rooms and most of the staff working there have a couple of anecdotes about the supposed hauntings that are said to go on.
The Haunted Historic Hotel
This former castle is now a part of the National Parador Hotel chain that takes historic sites and turns them into hotels you can stay in and experience the rich history of the building. Spain is renowned for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and unique cultural heritage. Among the many treasures that the country holds, Parador Hotels stand out as true gems.
The Haunted Hotel and Castle: Castillo de Santa Catalina, Tarifa, Cádiz in Spain.// Source: Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC-BY-SA
These hotels are often housed in historic buildings, such as castles, monasteries, and palaces, offering visitors a chance to experience the past in a truly immersive way.
The Broken Hearted Woman in Room 22
One of the rooms of this hotel is said to be Room 22 that turned to room 401 after the hotel had some renovations done. People that have stayed here and local lore claim that this room is haunted by a woman that had her heart broken and ended her life here.
The room is located in one of the towers in the Castillo de Santa Catalina. When this haunting was supposed to have happened or started though it is a bit unclear.
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One story about her ghosts goes that one night, a guest was staying in the room and claimed to be woken up by someone banging on the door and the sound of a woman crying. He went to the hotel to complain, but no one could really give an answer except for that it might have been a ghost.
Others tell about a strange presence in room 22 and sometimes also Room 23 that are said to disturb in the night and sliding the furniture around, opening suitcases as well as a drop in the temperature and shadows wandering in the room.
The Muslim Mistress that was too Powerful
Another variation of the legend is that the woman haunting the room is actually the muslim mistress to the lord of the castle, constable of Castile, Miguel Lucas de Iranzo. She is sometimes known as Jasmina It is said she had too big of an influence on the constable and that because of this he was neglecting his duties to the kingdom. It was because of this that King Enrique IV ordered her dead.
She is now forever haunting the Castillo de Santa Catalina where she was cruelly murdered after a group of men stormed the castle and set her on fire, burning her to death, some claim that she was pregnant.
People have also said to have seen a woman dressed in old Arab clothes in the room and the hallways outside.
The Ghost of the Lovers
Another ghost story told is the one about the Governor Omar and his wife Zoraida when the castle belonged to the muslims. One night, Omar was summoned to town to solve an issue, but didn’t return. His wife went out looking for him that night because she was worried and right outside she found him stabbed to death.
She hugged him, crying for her lost lover. When his soldier found them, they tried to separate them, but found that the wife had also died, although her tears continued to run down as a stream. The tears eventually formed what is now Caño Quebrado fountain.
In the local town it is said that on February nights their ghosts have been seen returning together to the castle arm in arm.
The Paranormal Investigation in Castillo de Santa Catalina
The place was investigated by paranormal psychiatrists in 1984 and found the spirit of the ghost that haunted the room. There has also been a well known TV program about ghosts that dedicated an episode to the hotel in 2015.
Lagarto Terrible Haunting the Dungeons
The heartbroken woman, the Arab mistress and the two lovers are not the only spirits that are said to haunt the hotel. In the prison below the Castillo de Santa Catalina there is also a particular ghost that is said to haunt the place. This is the ghost of Lagarto Terrible, or Terrible Lizard, a man who died of starvation when he was imprisoned and is now haunting the place, harmless, but spookily wandering the halls and temporarily possessing guests not paying attention.
In the 1600s, the red-headed mistress of Leamaneh Castle in Ireland was run with an iron fist. Red Mary and her dark reign still looms over the area and it is said she is haunting the place after her horrible death.
Smack in the heart of County Clare, Ireland, Leamaneh Castle stands looming in both the splendor and the sinister secrets of its past. Among the myriad of haunted castles that dot the Irish landscape, Leamaneh Castle has earned a reputation as a place steeped in notoriety and ghostly lore.
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Today only the ruins of the 15th century tower house turned into a 17th century mansion still stand. The castle name “Leamaneh” is believed to be derived from the Irish léim an éich meaning “the horse’s leap” or léim an fheidh that means “the deer’s leap“.
Red Mary and her Dark Reign
At the center of the legends of the castle is the infamous figure of Red Mary—a name both aptly descriptive and ominous foreboding. The red-headed Mary was born in 1615 or 1616 came into a substantial amount of wealth after her husband died.
Her real name was Máire Rua O’Brien and known for her fiery locks that matched the tempestuous spirit, Red Mary wielded authority over Leamaneh Castle with an iron fist, her reign drenched in darkness and cruelty according to legends. Her presence still lingers, like a ghostly echo, within the castle’s ancient walls.
Leamaneh Castle: Today there are only ruins of the Leamaneh Castle amidst the green in County Clare in Ireland. It is believed that the castle is haunted by its former mistress, the Red Mary. //Source: Jerzy Strzelecki/Wikimedia
The tales that surround Red Mary are steeped in the kind of brutality that chills the soul—stories of servant girls hanging from the castle’s windows by their own hair, their lives taken at the whim of their merciless mistress for petty mistakes.
She also had a stallion in her stable according to the legends that she challenged visitors to ride on. Once released, the stallion would run towards the Cliffs of Moher where the poor victims would be thrown off and into their death.
The Marriages of Red Mary
Remarkably, Red Mary found herself married an astounding twenty-five times, each union a testament to the fleeting and treacherous nature of her affections. That is according to legend though, but fact tells us she was at least married three times.
Red Mary is said to have joined her second husband, Conor O’Brien, on raids against English settlers together with the Royalists, but when he died in a rebellion against them, she flipped sides. Fearing that she would lose her estate, she married a Cromwellian soldier to keep it.
Máire Rua O’Brien: The Irish noblewoman, Máire Rua O’Brien, more known as Red Mary is perhaps known more for her legends than her actual life. According to legend, she married countless times, was a merciless killer and was brutally murdered by her enemies. But how much of it was really true? The remaining legend about her is that she is haunted her castle ruins.
Her husbands met fates as grim as her reputation; legend has it that one unfortunate spouse met his untimely demise at her own hands. The Cromwellian officer, Cornet John Cooper, her third husband once made a comment about her ex-husband and she was so furious she jumped from her bed and kicked him in the stomach, which he died from.
Whether this is true or not is up for dispute, as sources claim they were married to her death in 1686, although it was said they lived apart.
Starved to Death
Unsurprisingly, Red Mary’s trail of brutality left a trail of enemies in its wake. The many lives she had ruined and the blood she had spilled eventually caught up with her. In a twist of fate, her adversaries succeeded in capturing the ruthless widow, imprisoning her within the hollowed-out confines of a tree.
In her captivity inside of the hollow tree, Red Mary suffered the cruelest fate of all, slowly wasting away as she succumbed to starvation. It is said that the tree was at the avenue of Carnelly Forest.
Other legends claim that she was flung from a horse into a forked branch of a tree where she choked, or hung by her own hair from a tree. But was this really the case, as her death was recorded in 1686, when she was in her 70s?
Records show that she died of natural causes though as she was in poor health in her final years where she died comfortably in Dromoland Castle where her son moved the family.
The Ghost of Red Mary
Leamaneh Castle stands as a haunting reminder of Red Mary’s dark legacy no matter how she died. The ruins of this once-mighty fortress bear the weight of her tormented spirit, with echoes of her anguished screams reverberating through the ages.
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She is said to appear in two different places. The first is close to her castle, the other one is at the Druid’s Altar that is near Clare Castle, and as we don’t have the exact location of where she is buried, some place it around those parts. Some say she is buried in Ennis Abbey, next to her first husband she always loved according to legend.
The Haunted Ruins of a Leamaneh Castle
Leamaneh Castle, County Clare’s enigmatic relic, invites those who dare to explore its haunted halls to uncover the truth behind Red Mary’s reign of terror. No one is tending to this castle anymore and it is slowly crumbling as time passes as the son of Red Mary abandoned the castle in 1686.
After a series of occupying the castle though after Red Mary’s reign, it was completely abandoned at the end of the 18th century and left to ruin.
Her lingering presence serves as a grim reminder that even the most beautiful castles can conceal the darkest of secrets, and the past is never truly buried beneath the sands of time.
In a former castle turned hotel in Catalonia, Spain, it is said that more than one of the rooms are haunted. Most haunted is room 712 in El Parador de Cardona Castle where the duke’s daughter died in the tower because of her love for the wrong man.
Parador hotels are a type of state funded hotels that are found in old and historic buildings such as castles, former hospitals, fortresses and mansions. Spain has some of the most beautiful and historic hotels in the world, but some of them come with a spooky twist. If you’re looking for an eerie adventure, consider staying in one of Spain’s haunted hotels.
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El Parador de Cardona in Catalonia is said to be a haunted hotel that used to be an old fortress with a 11th century Romanesque church and the first construction on the hill was built by Wilfred the Hairy in 886.
From the 14th century it was the fortress of the dukes of Cordona that was the most important family in the Kingdom of Aragon and often called Kings without Crowns as they owned a lot of property and had a lot of power.
The Haunted Historic Hotel
This former castle is now a part of the National Parador Hotel chain that takes historic sites and turns them into hotels you can stay in and experience the rich history of the building. Spain is renowned for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and unique cultural heritage. Among the many treasures that the country holds, Parador Hotels stand out as true gems.
These hotels are often housed in historic buildings, such as castles, monasteries, and palaces, offering visitors a chance to experience the past in a truly immersive way. Now, the former fortress is turned into a huge historic hotel a 100 kilometers outside of Barcelona with a view to the Cardener Rivers as well as the Saline Valley.
In the Middle Ages the Cardona Castle was used as a prison and torture place, and it is said that the former prisoners are haunting the halls still.
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It is also said that the place is haunted, and the backstory for these ghosts haunting the now historic hotel is a tragic love story that happened centuries ago.
The Girl in the White Dress in El Parador de Cardona
Some claim to have seen the ghost of a girl wearing a white dress walking around the El Parador de Cardona hallways in the night. Who could this ghost of Cardona Castle be?
According to the legend, people think that this could be Adales, the daughter of Viscount Raimon Folch that died tragically in the Cardona Castle a long time ago.
The Tragic Love Story of Prince Abdala and Adales
Many centuries ago the Duke of Cardona invited the Berber prince Abdala to a party at Cardona Castle and the muslim prince went.
During the party, the duke’s daughter, Adales, was walking in the castle gardens where she met the prince. They fell in love and swore they would be together no matter what.
They started to meet up in secret, because they knew her Catholic parents would never approve of them being together and that the two towns would go to war if their secret was discovered. But of course they were discovered and her father didn’t take it well at all.
She planned an escape, but her father was planning her engagement with another nobleman. But the rumors of the young girl’s affair with the boy spread and her fiance broke their engagement off.
With the breaking of the engagement, they also broke off their support for the viscount, and he was furious. He decided to teach his daughter a lesson and imprisoned her inside one of the towers in Cardona Castle. While being imprisoned in Torre Minona she was only given bread and water for weeks as they tried to break her spirit. The servant that brought her the food was also blind and mute so that she wouldn’t be able to talk with anyone while she was serving her time in the tower.
Even with this torture, she never once asked for forgiveness for her love, even though her prince was forbidden to ever entering Cordona ever again and according to the legend, she died inside of the tower.
According to the legend, you can see Abdaka roaming outside of the tower of Cardona Castle on horseback, as he came back in his afterlife to look for his eternal love Adales.
The Haunted Room 712 in Cardona Castle
Back at the El Parador de Cardona hotel, even some of the rooms are said to be haunted. Especially room 712 is said to have the most paranormal activity in the hotel.
Because of all the troubles the El Parador de Cardona has had with this room, they decided to never rent out the room except if the visitors are there for the ghosts and specifically asks for it. And it looks like there have been more than enough curious guests that have asked for this room.
It is said that it is the ghost of Adele that is haunting the room. It is believed that this was her room back in the day. The room had a rumor that the furniture would move by itself and for many years the furniture were pulled and ended up in the center of the room each night.
Today the ghost in room 712 in Cardona Castle seems a bit more relaxed though as it has been a long time since there have been reports of any unofficial remodeling of the room.
For many years now, Bor Forest in the Czech Republic is said to house many haunting stories. Everything from strange ghostly legends from Slavic folklore to strange things that went down during the communist regime after the second world war.
Bor Forest, also known as Branišovský les, stands as a silent witness to a myriad of chilling legends and mysterious occurrences in the heart of South Bohemia, near České Budějovice. Bor means pine and the forest is spanning approximately 300 hectares, this mixed forest has gained notoriety for its tragic events, whispers of supernatural entities, and inexplicable phenomena.
It has undergone significant transformations throughout time, serving various purposes such as an excursion forest park, shooting range, and military area close to the Polish border. The landscape features diverse tree species, with the northeastern part covered in spruce mixed with oak, while the southwestern region is dominated by pine trees.
Bor Forest’s reputation for paranormal activity rests on numerous legends and reported encounters. The forest is believed to be haunted by a variety of entities, each contributing to the eerie aura that envelops the area.
The Military Tragedy in Bor Forest
Once upon a time, often set to the 1960 to 80s, there was a military base stationed in Bor Forest to guard the local storage for their ammunition. It is said that four soldiers were patrolling close to the former guard post and one of the pair was taking over the nightshift when something happened. According to the stories, one of the soldiers started to change, like another being, something monstrous. Another version tells that the soldiers got scared from “The Horror of the Forest”.
This caused chaos among the soldiers that started shooting and three of them ended up dead and the last one died from the wounds later at Budweiser Military Hospital where he managed to tell a little bit about what happened, but not enough to end the mystery.
What really happened then is hard to tell. Some say it was more of an internal thing and that stress caused some of the soldiers to take their own life. Some say that it really did happen, but it was in a completely different place and was an argument and jealousy that caused the shooting.
There were no writings about this in the newspapers or other media. Seeing that the Czech Republic was under the Soviet Union and heavily censored could also be an explanation as to why there is not more written about this except from the local gossip. Even to this day, a lot of these documents are still classified.
But what could it have been, this horror from Bor Forest that the story talks about. As it turns out, there could be more than one supernatural and dark thing that the soldiers came face to face with.
The Haunted Swamps and the Vodník
Czech Vodník
References to Bor Forest go back at least 400 years. One of the stories circulating around the Bor forest is about the swamps and waters in the forest. They used to be much bigger than today, and many travelers ended their life in these waters throughout time. It is said that the souls of these people were trapped close to the waters and they stayed to haunt them, trying to lure bypasses to join them in death.
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Some of the early swamps or waters were also said to have a Vodník living there, a sort of sea spirit, or water man from Slavic folklore living in water, much like the German nixon or the Scottish kelpie.
Vodník was said to look much like a man with green hair, but his bride was often a mermaid or a girl he drowned. He was also known for luring children and women to the water by hanging colorful ribbons or mirrors around or shapeshifting to a child and then drowning the one trying to rescue him.
The Black Man
The Black Coloum were the Black Man is said to often be spotted in Bor Forest.
A sound often reported on in Bor Forest is the sound of footsteps in the dry leaves or heavy snow. The sound of the steps have chased many people through the forest and many believe that it is most likely the step coming from the Black Man.
Described as a tall figure with a broad black hat and a flowing black cape, the Black Man is also called the Black Knight and even The Lord of the Forest. He has been witnessed floating above the ground, moving with unnatural speed. Some claim to have heard soft music preceding the appearance of this enigmatic figure, accompanied by a sudden drop in temperature.
The first written reports about the entity was in 1993, and the nest in 1994 and he is mostly sighted around The Black Pillar, a memorial for something people don’t remember. Today it is an integral part of the lore of the Forest.
Another story coming from the 90s is also the rumor for people seeing mysterious red eyes hovering about two meters above the ground after nightfall have been reported by witnesses. The first written account was in 1998. Contrary to explanations attributing them to car taillights, some claim these eyes approached them or even pursued them through the forest.
The White Lady
As with most haunted places in Europe, it wouldn’t be complete without its own Woman in White, and the haunted Bor forest is no exception.
The apparition of a woman in white is tied to a tragic tale of a murdered resident haunting a nearby building, unable to find peace even in death.
It is also said that a young girl is haunting the woods after taking her life in an abandoned farmhouse between České Budějovice and Branišov. Although there is not really any proof that such a thing ever happened in the farmhouse.
The Hanged Man’s Tree
Another story told about Bor Forest is the strange tree said to have taken the lives of many. In 1927 a young couple checked into the new and luxurious Hotel Praha in Branišov. The building is today used as an office for the city council.
The couple went on their way on a hike into the forest, but never returned. When a search party was sent out, they found them hanging in a tree in the midst of the forest. Not much was said about the tree itself until another woman was found hanging in the same tree not too long after.
Mr. Kříž was a local man and decided to take matters into his own hands and went into the forest and cut the deadly branch from the tree and brought it home to burn it. Not too far after this, he ended in an accident and his hand he used to cut the branch off with ended up paralyzed. This alarmed the rest of the townspeople that went to the tree, cut it all up and burned it to the ground.
Although the descendant of Mr. Kříž claims there was no paranormal story connected to the tree, or that there were no accidents after he cut off the branch, the story about it lives on. The tree is gone, it is said that people have heard a voice coming from the place where the tree once stood. The voice is beckoning them to it, encouraging whoever is passing to take their own life.
Time Warps and Unexplained Events:
One of the most perplexing phenomena reported in Bor Forest involves time warps. In the 1960s, one of the residents of U Pěti zlodějů (also named Jednoty, on older maps) was cycling home from České Budějovice, around 6:00 p.m. As he rode through the dusty, unpaved Bor Forest, he experienced an unusual phenomenon.
The entire forest seemed to undulate before him and he got off his bike. He noticed that the road and gravel beneath his feet were in motion. Exiting the forest and passing through Branišov, he was surprised to find no lights in any of the windows, even though it was barely 7:00 p.m. Upon reaching home, he discovered it was 3:00 a.m. The one-hour journey had inexplicably taken nine hours.
The Strange City
Another story about time is when two women walked through Bor, and one of them suddenly ran into the bushes. When she didn’t return for a prolonged period, the other went to look for her. To her surprise, there was no trace of the friend. Just as she wondered where she might have gone, the missing woman reappeared seemingly out of nowhere.
She recounted a strange experience of a green mist enveloping her, parting to reveal an unknown landscape filled with vibrant, intense colors and a distant golden city. A man in black approached her, placed a hand on her forehead, and pushed her back into Bor Forest. While she spent a few minutes in an unfamiliar place, her friend waited in the forest for three-quarters of an hour.
The UFO-Crash
It is certainly a strange place with a lot of old legends. But the strange and mysterious stories from newer times are just as haunting, especially as a lot of information from its time as a closed off communist country hides a lot of the information.
One time, there was an unknown object that crashed in the area and it was closed off for a year by a special unit. Even the local military was denied access to it. When the area finally opened again, many of the trees looked damaged, like something had crashed close to them. What could it be? The firemen claim that the trees caught fire around the year 2000. A witness said that it could have been more likely an airplane or helicopter that crashed in the area, although of course the local gossip is that a UFO landed there, and that the information surrounding this is still top secret.
Branišovský les and its Haunting Allure
Bor Forest, with its haunting mysteries and supernatural tales, invites those brave enough to explore its depths. As legends intertwine with the natural beauty of the landscape, Bor Forest remains an enigmatic realm where reality and the paranormal blur into a tapestry of chilling narratives. Venture forth, if you dare, and immerse yourself in the unsettling allure of Bor Forest’s haunted legacy.
In Salamanca in Spain we find the Castle of Buen Amor or the Castle of Good Love. It used to be the love nest of a Bishop and his mistress, and according to the legend her ghost is haunting the place that now is a hotel perfect for romantic getaways, just as intended.
In the heart of the Castilian countryside in Spain, this enigmatic fortress has stood the test of time, captivating locals and visitors alike with its romantic, yet tragic history. From ghostly apparitions to inexplicable phenomena, the Castle of Buen Amor is shrouded in mystery with an aura of eternal love.
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History and Background of the Castle of Good Love
In Salamanca province, there is a castle dubbed, the Castle of Good Love. It is a reference of the romance between the Bishop, Alonso de Fonseca Quijada and Teresa de las Cuevas. Their love ended in tragedy though as well as it became a ghost story. To this day, people claim to have seen their ghosts.
The Castle of Good Love: Castillo de Buen Amor is said to be haunted by the lady in white, the woman the castle was built for.//Source: El Pantera/wikimedia
The Castle of Buen Amor, also known as the Castle of Good Love, has a rich and fascinating history that dates back centuries. Originally built as a defensive fortress in the 11th century, it served as a stronghold for various noble families throughout the years.
The Love Nest of the Bishop and his Mistress
Legend has it that the Bishop, Alonso de Fonseca Quijada, infatuated with Teresa de las Cuevas, commissioned the construction of the castle as a gift to her. He couldn’t give himself away as her husband, but he could give her a home. He bought the fortress in the 15th century and remade it to their love nest with more care for the architectural details to be a home for them rather for military defense.
Together they lived in this castle away from the talk of the town, trying to hide their unforbidden love. Although talk traveled fast and everybody knew of this affair, and so the castle was dubbed the Castle of Good Love.
The castle became a symbol of their love, and their story continues to be told to this day. It is said that their spirits still roam the halls of the castle, forever bound to each other and to the place they called home.
Castle of Buen Amor Made into a Hotel for Romantic Getaways
In the 1950s, the abandoned castle was bought by the family that now owns it. They spent the next decades restoring it to its former glory as it had been used as a warehouse until then.
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In 2003 they opened their doors and offered the castle as a location for weddings and a stay for honeymooners and people at a romantic getaway. Again it became a castle for romance and love.
The Lady in White Haunting the Castle
One of the most enduring legends associated with the Castle of Buen Amor is that of the Lady in White. Countless visitors and mediums have reported seeing ghosts in this fairytale romance castle.
More often than not they see a spectral figure dressed in flowing white robes, wandering the corridors of the castle. Some claim to have heard her soft footsteps and the rustling of her gown, while others have caught glimpses of her ethereal form disappearing into the shadows.
The identity of the Lady in White remains a mystery, but many believe she is the ghost of Teresa de las Cuevas, forever searching for her love, wandering within the walls they used to call their home.
The Enduring Allure of the Castle of Buen Amor
The Castle of Buen Amor continues to captivate the imaginations of all who dare to explore its haunted halls. It beckons you to uncover its secrets, to embrace the unknown, and to experience the romance of the paranormal.
The so-called Castle of Hell or Torre Salvana outside of Barcelona is a rumored haunted castle. A dark mysterious smoke from nowhere, eerie whispers in the dark and the sighting of a girl with a bullet wound in her forehead, these ruins cast a long shadow.
Spain is a country with a rich history and culture, and one of the places where that history is most evident is in its architecture. There are many castles in Spain, each with its own unique story. But none are quite as fascinating as the haunted Spanish castle. This castle is known for being one of the most haunted places in Spain, with a ghost that has been said to linger inside for centuries.
This Catalonian abandoned castle dates back to the 10th century with the earliest documentation from 992, but now it is abandoned in ruins and the gates have opened for people to come and go as they please. Although according to the talks, it is also forgotten, even by the locals living in Barcelona who are unaware of its existence.
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The castle has been abandoned for centuries and In 1715 the castle was abandoned in very poor condition due to the war between Jaime I and Joan II. The castle has also a rumor going on these days that the place is haunted, perhaps by the devil himself.
The Castle from Hell
The castle is located close to the famous Barcelona architect Gaudi church, Colonia Guell in Santa Coloma de Cervello. It is a village built for the workers near the textile mill and is seemingly the only ones remembering it as they pass it by, making it a meeting spot for parties or ghost hauntings.
The place has become famous for being a haunted place and is often called Castilo del Infierno or the Castle of Hell.
The reason for this is because of the people gathering in the place for seemingly mysterious rituals and to experience something paranormal, perhaps even by summoning it.
Paranormal Experiences of Torre Salvana
As an open area to people to come and go as they please, there have over the years developed many legends about this place. Some have been created for the scary atmosphere, some of them, perhaps created it.
Many paranormal activities like psychophone have been recorded here. There are also strange sightings and hearings that have been reported on and many people claim to have heard the voices of women crying and asking for help.
Strange noises seemingly from the middle ages like cannon shots or the sound of metal clinking like in a sword battle has been heard. Could it be an echo of the many battles that were fought on these grounds on this very place?
The Dark Smoke Covering the Place
Some of the more strange things that have been seen around the castle grounds are the thing about the black smoke that seemingly comes out from nowhere.
Strange dark smoke has been seen coming out from the watchtower and has spread around the castle grounds, although nothing in the tower was set on fire. It comes through a window and disappears into the walls only seconds after. Some even claim to have had the smoke come flying over their heads.
The Girl with the Bulletwound in her Head
There are even tales about seeing a little child, most often told to be a little girl with long black hair and wearing a white nightgown. She is often seen wandering the courtyard.
At first glance it perhaps looks like one of the local kids that have come there to play among the ruins. There is only one thing that is wrong on a closer inspection. If you look closely you can see that this child ghost is always seen with a bullet wound on her forehead.
The Castle from Hell Trying to Grab Hold of You
One of the most told stories about this place except for the eerily tone and atmosphere every castle ruin would give you, is the stories about people being touched or physically grabbed.
People have walked around the grounds, up the stairs and into the remaining rooms, seemingly alone with no one within reach. They have then felt someone or something grabbing their arm or leg, pulling them towards something. Toward what is unclear, but the dark legends about the castle will surely give you some ideas.
Thought to be the gate to the fairy world, The Fairy Tree on top of Doon Hill is said to be haunted by the man that tried to reveal the fairy folk’s secrets. Was he just silenced, or was he taken to the other realm?
Atop the woodlands on Doon Hill in Aberfoyle, Scotland, a solitary Scots pine stands proudly amidst the oaks—a tree with an enchanting reputation as the Fairy Tree. This mystical landmark in East Lothian, believed to mark the entrance to a Fairy Queen’s underground palace, carries with it a ghostly history that traces back to the intriguing Reverend Robert Kirk.
The Fairy Tree, or Fairy Knowe, perched on the summit of Doon Hill, has long been regarded as a portal to an ethereal realm—a gateway guarded by the mystical beings of the forest of ancient oaks in what has been known as The Fairy Capital ever since a Reverend got curious about the place and tried to reveal its secrets.
Reverend Robert Kirk’s Curiosity
Secret Commonwealth Manuscript Title Page
Reverend Robert Kirk lived in Aberfoyle in the 17th century and would preach about God as well as about fairies when he became minister in 1685 and was dubbed as The Fairy Minister. He was also the seventh son, something also connected with people having supernatural connections or abilities. He was a well educated man and was the first to publish the bible into Gaelic as well as he studied the life and home of the fairies he believed lived on Doon Hill.
In 1691, Reverend Robert Kirk delved into the supernatural with the publication of “The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, and Fairies.” This pioneering work sought to unveil the secrets of a magical underworld inhabited by mystical creatures. It has later been seen as one of the most important works about fairy lore and magic.
The work was unlike many publications of the time, not meant to link the magic and folklore to the devil, but more as a genuine interest into the lore and culture of the Scottish community that the Reverend himself had grown up with.
Although it was meant to educate people about the hidden folks, the fairies are said to have taken offense to a human revealing their secrets. Legend has it that the fairies, often called the Good People or daoine sìth in Scottish Gaelic, displeased with the revelations, took swift action.
Reverend Kirk met a tragic end on Doon Hill before he was able to publish his findings. Some say he fell and died, while others believe he was spirited away by the very creatures he sought to expose.
He had a habit of walking in his nightgown to the hill to breathe in the fresh air on summer evenings. But on the evening of May 14th in 1962, he was found dead on the hill.
Did they just want to get rid of the man that was about to expose the fairy world, or did he get to serve the Fairy Queen as a Chaplain and the body the villagers found was only a changeling? Some even question that he is buried in the churchyard at all.
Regardless of the circumstances, the reverend’s spirit is said to linger, forever bound to the Fairy Tree. On certain days, visitors claim to catch glimpses of his ghost, wandering the hillside and standing guard over the entrance to the Fairy Queen’s palace.
Making a Wish on Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe
Reverend Robert Kirk’s pursuit of the supernatural left an indelible mark on the landscape, giving rise to tales of a ghostly guardian and an otherworldly portal.
Even today people walk up to the tree and some tie a ribbon to the tree as a gift to the fairies as they make a little wish. This is a pagan ritual known as clootie wells and is a cleansing ritual. Because who knows, perhaps the Reverend was right, and this ancient oak tree truly is a gateway to the otherworld of the fairies?
It is said that every year, on the anniversary of her death, the ghost of Anne Boleyn returns to her birthplace at Blickling Estate where you can meet her wandering through the haunted Great Woods.
English history is woven with tales of love, betrayal, and tragedy, none more poignant than the life and death of Anne Boleyn. Though her earthly journey was cut short by the executioner’s blade, Anne’s spectral presence endures, with Blickling Estate in Norfolk, England, standing as a haunting backdrop to her restless afterlife.
Within the sprawling expanse of Blickling Estate covering around 4600 acres, the Great Wood conceals secrets that transcend centuries. Towering trees and ancient pathways cradle the whispers of history, and it is here that a pyramidal mausoleum, erected in 1793 to honor the 2nd Earl of Buckingham, becomes a gateway to the spectral realm.
The History of Blickling Hall Estate
The Blickling Hall Estate is a Jacobean stately home and has had many famed British people passing through it. The estate we see today is built upon the ruins of the Tudor style building that once belonged to the Boleyn family and it is said that Anne Boleyn together with her siblings were all born here.
Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII, is one of the most iconic and controversial figures in English history. Born circa 1501, she captivated the Tudor court with her intelligence, charm, and striking beauty.
Anne played a pivotal role in the English Reformation, as her marriage to Henry marked the break from the Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England. However, her failure to provide a male heir led to her tragic downfall.
A statue and portrait of Anne may be found at Blickling Estate which carry the inscription, “Anna Bolena hic nata 1507” (Anne Boleyn born here 1507). Although, we don’t really know the exact year she was born and it was probably a bit earlier.
It is also deemed to be one of the most haunted properties of the National Trust and every year the people of Norfolk come to the estate to look for the UK’s perhaps most busy ghost.
Anne Boleyn’s Ghostly Resonance:
Every 19th of May, a spectral figure is said to materialize within the Great Wood — none other than Anne Boleyn herself. Accused of adultery, incest, and treason, Anne Boleyn was executed by beheading on May 19, 1536, at the Tower of London. Her life and death continue to be the subject of fascination and speculation, with tales of her ghost haunting sites associated with her dramatic and tumultuous journey.
It is said she appears at midnight, It is as if time itself pauses, and the ethereal veil between past and present becomes permeable, allowing Anne’s ghost to revisit the grounds of Blickling Estate.
People say she is dressed in all white and is carrying her severed and bloody head under her arms. She comes by a coach pulled by four headless horses as well as a headless horseman.
She comes through the forest before entering the big halls, roaming the corridors until the sun rises before disappearing until next year.
The Many Hauntings of Anne Boleyn
In addition to the Great Wood at Blickling Estate, the ghost of Anne Boleyn is rumored to haunt the Tower of London, where she was imprisoned before her execution. Reports suggest that her restless spirit roams the Tower’s corridors and grounds, perhaps searching for solace or retribution.
The historic Hever Castle in Kent, Anne Boleyn’s childhood home, is also believed to be visited by her ghost. Visitors and staff at Hever Castle have reported sightings and eerie encounters, contributing to the enduring legend of Anne Boleyn’s haunting presence across various locations associated with her tumultuous life.
The haunting tale extends beyond Anne to encompass the Boleyn family’s tragic legacy. Sir Thomas Boleyn, Anne’s father, is believed to suffer from a curse, condemning him to eternal unrest.
Failing to prevent his daughter’s execution, and even perhaps pushing her into the life as a king’s mistress, Sir Thomas’s spirit is said to wander the grounds ceaselessly, a specter burdened by the weight of history and a father’s sorrow.
The Walk in the Great Woods with Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn’s ghostly apparition, forever tethered to the anniversary of her tragic demise, transforms the woodland into a canvas where past and present converge for one night of the year.
Amidst the ancient trees and the pyramidal mausoleum on the ground, the haunting echoes of history persist, inviting those who venture into the Great Wood to contemplate the enduring legacy of Anne Boleyn on Blickling Estate, only one of the few places her ghost is said to haunt.
Up in the wild Scottish Highlands, inside the dark Rothiemurchus Forest it is said that the ghost of the Great Shaw warrior, Seath Mor is ready to challenge everyone passing for a final duel to show your bravery.
In the Scottish Highlands close to Aviemore in Inverness-shire, the dark Forest of Rothiemurchus stands as a silent witness to centuries of history and folklore and is a remnant of the ancient Caledonian Forest in Scotland.
Sir David Attenborough once called the Rothiemurchus Forest, One of the glories of wild Scotland. Beyond its verdant canopy and ancient trees lie tales of spectral encounters and haunted legends of the highlands.
The Ghost of Seath Mor, The Great Shaw
The most well known ghost story from the depths of Rothiemurchus Forest is about the 14th-century tribal chief of the Clan Shaw, Seath Mor Sgorfhiaclach, meaning Bucktooth.
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He was known as a good warrior, with a twisted smile that would scare everyone. He was also called The Great Shaw by his contemporaries, was also 6 feet tall and even his own people feared him according to the legends.
The Ghostly Challenge
It is said that he is still haunting the Rothiemurchus Forest. As legend has it, those who venture into the woods may chance upon his ghostly apparition, still ready for battle it seems. Seath Mor, adorned in the vestiges of a bygone era, allegedly challenges unsuspecting walkers to a spectral duel of bravery.
Rothiemurchus Forest: Lochan Deo. Lochan Deo in Rothiemurchus forest in, Cairngorms. It is said to be haunted by the old chieftan of the clan. // Source: Scot Tares / Lochan Deo / CC BY-SA 2.0
According to local lore, those who stand their ground and accept the spectral challenge are granted safe passage through the forest’s depths. But those who succumb to fear and attempt to flee are condemned to an eternal wandering within the shadowy embrace of Rothiemurchus and they are never heard from again.
The Guardian Stones
Out of the woods of Rothiemurchus Forest you will find the Old Doune Church Burial ground in the kirkyard of St. Tuchaldus and Seath Mor’s grave who is rumored to be cursed for anyone who dares tamper with it.
At the grave it reads: “Victor at the battle of Perth in 1396”, a battle where only he was left alive and that helped carve his legacy as a fearsome warrior. Some people even leave the grave a couple of coins for protection.
Five stones rest upon Seath Mor’s tomb found close to the Doune of Rothiemurchus, possibly symbolic of the comrades who fell alongside him in battle. They are certainly put there to protect the grave and Seath Mor’s soul.
Tampering with these stones is deemed a reckless act, tempting fate itself and it is said that many have fallen ill or even died from touching them. They will feel the wrath of the Shaw Clan’s guardian spirit, an elf-like spirit or a familiar called Bodach of Gealic folklore. Bodach is a Duin, a goblin of the Doune. Although mostly acting like a boogeyman in folklore, the Bodach an Duin is its protector.
The Protective Iron Cage
It is said that it happened once in the early 19th century, and a man that stole a center stone from the grave threw it into the River Spey. He was apparently a footman set to protect the graveyard from body snatchers. He wanted to prove to everyone that the curse was nonsense. Four days later the stone was back and the man was found dead, floating down the river four days later.
In the 1940s, it is said that a journalist lifted one of the stones over his head, only to die in a car crash a couple of hours after he did it.
In 1978 a Mr Leslie Walker and his two friends were working in the graveyard when Mr. Walker touched the stones to show it to his friends. He told the story to Aberdeen Evening Press where he fell ill with a mysterious disease right after and had a temperature of almost 40 degrees. He had to spend the next 6 weeks in hospital.
His friend did the same and joined Mr Walker with the same mysterious illness, suffering stomach pains after identifying the last friend who was even more unlucky.
The friend was not so fortunate though as he was found dead the following day in the graveyard after he rearranged the stones. He died after a cerebral hemorrhage.
In any case, the stones kept getting stolen, and curse or not, they decided to do something to the grave after the stones were missing for two weeks before returning.
To safeguard this ancient resting place, a wrought-iron cage was erected in the 1980s, standing as both a physical barrier and a metaphysical deterrent against the restless spirit that dwells within.
The Final Battle of Seath Mor
As sunlight filters through the towering trees of Rothiemurchus Forest, the legends of Seath Mor linger like shadows among the ancient roots, ready to challenge any wanderers for another battle.
The wrought-iron cage on his grave, though a symbol of protection, also hints at the delicate balance between preserving history and allowing the spirits of the past to weave their tales within the heart of Rothiemurchus.
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