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The Secrets of Beijing’s Haunted Forbidden City

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The Forbidden City in Beijing still has some parts that are off limits for tourists, but they can never block the path to the alleged ghosts that are said to linger. These Imperial Palaces are said to be haunted by former concubines, and according to legend, possibly cursed as well.

Built in the early 1400s, Beijing’s Forbidden City, or Zijin Cheng in Chinese (紫禁城), literally means the purple forbidden city and is a complex of majestic buildings and grounds that bears witness to the rise and fall of China’s powerful emperors and countless of people that lived and worked inside of the imperial walls. 

Chock-full of ancient secrets, cultural treasures, and hidden stories, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Beijing’s most iconic attractions where almost 20 millions visit each year and according to the legends, it is supposedly haunted, although in 2015, the Forbidden City publicly went out to deny these rumours.

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

The Forbidden City is only open in the daytime and closes its door at 5 usually except from a few special occasions. This fact has gotten people to speculate that the reason for it is the paranormal activity that happens during the night inside of the Imperial Palace. 

Beijing’s Forbidden City

The Imperial Palace, known as the Forbidden City, dates all the way back to 1406 and was the former imperial palace and a winter residence of the Emperor of China from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty when Yongle Emperor moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing. 

Filled with over 980 buildings including centuries-old palaces, gardens, and monuments, this site can tell us a lot about the grandeur of China’s dynastic rulers enclosed by a 10 meter high wall. 

Members of the ruling family, aristocrats, and high-ranking officials would live in one of the nine inner court halls at the Palace. Each hall was responsible for holding different types of ceremonial gatherings or major events arranged by the Emperor himself.

There is no one living i the Forbidden City anymore. China’s last emperor, Puyi, was evicted after a coup in 1924, and the palace complex was turned into one massive museum you can visit today.

Ghosts of the Forbidden City

Confucius once said: “Respect the ghosts and gods, but keep away from them.” This can seem to be a bit tricky at this location however, as it is said to be plentiful of ghosts around the Forbidden City. 

Rumors of mysterious phenomena have swirled around the Forbidden City for centuries, especially in the western parts of the place at it is said to have a strong Yin energy. As the palace was once reserved for China’s imperial family, it’s believed to be haunted by their ghosts and other supernatural occurrences. 

Given its immense history and cultural significance, it’s only natural for the Imperial Palace to be filled with tales of ghosts and spirits. When the palace was due for renovation in the 1940s, the guards that were placed outside of it had tales to tell when they returned about strange animals running around as well as the ghosts of people that had died in the palace. 

According to stories told by the eunuchs that used to work in the palaces, the haunted places in the Forbidden City included a passage behind Yonghe Palace where ghosts strangle their necks. There were also said to be a well outside Jinghe Gate where a group of female ghosts live. Fortunately there was an iron plate on Jinghe Gate to suppress them, otherwise they would come out every day. In the middle of Sanhai On the Jin’ao Jade Bridge it was said that every three years a person walking over it would be pulled down by a ghost under the bridge.”

There are tales about hearing a strange flute music heard in the dark hours in the empty city, but perhaps it’s the story about the weeping women that are most told. 

But why is the Forbidden City said to have been haunted? Surely 600 years of deaths would warrant a place perfect for ghosts, but it is also speculated that the place was cursed to begin with.

The Forbidden City is Cursed?

The Yongle Emperor, also known as Zhu Di, was the third emperor of the Ming dynasty. He reigned from 1402 to 1424.

Emperor Yongle did a lot of great things during his reign, including making Beijing the capital, building the Forbidden City for over 15 years, surrounding himself with global masters of philosophy, religion and did long strides in making peace and war with neighboring countries. He is however remembered as an emperor that always sought out power and for his cruelty to his subjects.

He spent most of his reign asserting his claim to the throne, as he was for many seen as a usurper as his nephew Jianwen was really in line for the throne. 

After he took the throne from him he killed the palace’s servants and loyalists that could bear any doubt about his position as emperor. The nephew he burned to death. 

When he was opening the Forbidden City he invited nobles from all around to show them he was the true emperor and cement his claim to the throne in the splendor of the newly founded Imperial Palaces. But his grandeur was built in top of a huge scandal that are said to have left a haunted imprint on it ever since.

The Massacre of his own People

Over 2 800 concubines, servant girls and eunuchs belonging to his harem were executed to suppress a sex scandal that would humiliate Emperor Yongle when he was going to show the banquet in the newly built imperial city in 1421 when the opening ceremonies were being held on New Years Eve. 

One of his favorite concubines had been found after taking her life. She had an affair with one of the eunuchs, and the shame for the Emperor was that he didn’t have his subjects in order and didn’t have control. 

Chinese Imperial Concubines: Chosen for their beauty, grace, and other qualities, concubines lived within the imperial palace and were often selected from noble families to serve the emperor. These women could attain various ranks within the hierarchy and played a vital role in the continuity of the imperial lineage. While they enjoyed privileges and luxuries, they also faced intense competition, intrigues, and strict rules within the palace. Their lives were marked by both opulence and limitations, reflecting the intricate dynamics of the imperial court in ancient China.

A few years later a fire took down over 250 buildings after the lightning struck it and killed numerous men and women as well. It was speculated that this was damnation and a punishment for his evil acts that no lucky charms could prevent. 

Emperor Yongle fell into a depression, og this or something else is not for certain. He died a few years later in 1424. A clause for the concubines was that they would never take another man, and the only way to ensure it was that they would die along with the emperor. So when he died, he collected 15 of his favorite concubines and their servants and hung from a silk noose in the Forbidden City. 

It would be another 15 years before the new Emperor rebuilt the destroyed halls, but would reside there until 1911 when the imperial rule was ended by revolutionaries. 

The Yin Yang Alley

Inside of the Forbidden City, there is one particular place that are said to host more paranormal activity than other. The Yin Yang Alley was originally called East Tongzi Alley and is today sealed off to visitors. It is said that the sound of footsteps walking down the alley is heard at night.

There is one picture a visitor manage to take of the place, showing that the alley now is mostly covered in weeds and dust.

The Yin Yang Alley: This is a picture someone manage to take through the crack of the door, showing the Yin Yang Alley.

There is one story about the ghosts walking the lane from the 1960s. This was a time the nation aimed to eradicate religion and discouraged belief in the supernatural. A young man was stationed within Beijing’s Forbidden City as a soldier, dismissing ghosts and deities, decided to challenge these notions.

He learned of the infamous Yin-Yang Alley within the Forbidden City, a place teeming with ghostly legends, and determined to venture through it at night to defy the old, feudal beliefs. The man embarked on a daring journey to the most haunted spot in the Forbidden City and decided to take a walk there at night.

When his comrades asked him the next day how his walk through the haunted lane had been, he turned pale. He asked them never to speak of it again.

The young man’s experience soon became a topic of discussion, as he recounted his eerie encounter with an unseen entity that led to a deterioration in his health, a loss of appetite, and a series of inexplicable afflictions.

The Concubine Ghosts

One story that keeps being repeated is that of the crying women, and in the Forbidden City, there were plenty of them throughout the years. Many speculate it is the ghost of one or more concubines as the crying woman is often seen in or around the quarter for the imperial concubines. 

This story spread like wildfire in 1992, when some tourists insisted that they had gotten the concubines on camera close to the Zhenfell Well. News media got hold of the story and there was even a special investigation, even though they concluded with that there was something in the paint creating this phenomenon, the story continued.

The Concubine Ghosts: The story is often illustrated with this picture of four seemingly looking ghostly figures walking in front of the red wall. But what is the truth behind these pictures?

The investigation claimed that the iron tetroxide in the red paint acted like a camera when the light ionizes the air. So that if a palace maid was walking past at one time, her figure would be preserved until next time light, like a camera flash would reflect this. It is also said that it was a thunderstorm that day that could also activate this.

However, it is most likely just an edited version of this photo under. It is also said that the story bears a striking resemblance to the 1981 ghost movie Qian Ying or Shadows of a Ghost by Baochang Guo. The movie is about an old mansion that has been sealed off for years, re-opens as a museum. A ghost is sighted by the museum’s guide and a quest to get to the bottom of the mystery starts.

The Palace Maids: This picture taken by a foreigner in 1910 of Qing Dynasty Palace Maids going shopping have also been connected to the ghosts of The Forbidden City and is most likely the origin photo of the viral ghost photo.

Although the viral story of the ghosts in the pictures were inspired by 80s movies and books, there have always been talk about seeing ghosts of women in the Forbidden City. One young man once insisted that he had seen one of these crying women, dressed in all white , walking the grounds. He approached her and tried to speak to her from behind, but she didn’t hear, and didn’t even turn around. 

Read Also: The Courtesan Haunting the Songpo Library

There are also some that claim that the weeping women, or perhaps something else entirely.  The story is that one night in 1995 there was a woman, this one reportedly dressed in all black with long black hair. One night a guards were watching TV when two of his colleagues burst in, their face white of fear. The guards all thought the woman they had seen was a thief and chased her around within the Forbidden City. When they cornered her, she turned around and revealed that she had no face before disappearing. 

When they together tried to find her, there was no trace of a woman ever having stepped into the Imperial Palace.

The ghost of the Concubines Haunting the Forbidden City: One of the most common told story is the sightings of women haunting the place, or the sound of them weeping. It is believed that it could be the ghosts of the many concubines that met a tragic end at the Imperial Palace.

But who could it be that is haunting the Imperial Palace? One famous story is about a ghost concubine from the Ming dynasty. Consort Zhen was also known as the Pearl Concubine and was believed to be the most beautiful woman in the palace born in 1876. The emperor fell in love with her, but their relationship was forbidden by the strict rules of the imperial court.

They used to meet secretly in a hidden garden inside the palace, but one day the empress discovered them. Legend has it that she was drowned in a well on the orders of Empress Dowager Cixi. Out of jealousy, the empress ordered the concubine to be executed and her body was thrown into a well in the palace grounds when she was only 24 years old. It is said that the ghost of the concubine still haunts the Forbidden City. She seeks revenge against the empress who betrayed her.

The Hidden Room in the Imperial Palace

Another legend that are told is about a supposed hidden room within the palace. A group of construction workers found a hidden room in a palace they were renovating. Inside, they discovered a pile of bones and a note saying it was the body of a traitor who plotted against the emperor.

After that, strange things started happening. The workers heard eerie whispers and footsteps, and some even saw the ghostly figure of a man in imperial robes. They refused to work in the haunted building, so it was left abandoned.

The Ghosts of Beijing’s Forbidden City

In conclusion, Beijing’s Forbidden City stands as a magnificent testament to China’s imperial past, with its grandeur, secrets, and hidden stories. As millions of visitors flock to this UNESCO World Heritage Site each year, they are captivated by its architectural beauty and cultural significance. However, beyond the ornate palaces, gardens, and monuments lies a realm of mystery and intrigue.

Amidst the eerie silence of the Forbidden City, stories abound of strange flute music resonating through the night and the lamenting cries of weeping women. The souls of these concubines, trapped in a realm between the living and the dead, evoke a sense of both sorrow and intrigue. Some have even spoken of encounters with spectral figures, dressed in white or black, their presence leaving a chilling impact that defies explanation.

While the Forbidden City remains a daytime attraction for tourists, one cannot help but wonder about the secrets concealed within its walls during the night. It is a realm where the past intertwines with the present, where the ethereal and the earthly coexist. The tales of ghosts and curses serve as a reminder that even the most majestic and revered places can hold hidden dimensions beyond our comprehension.

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References:

Haunted Beijing: The Forbidden City

Forbidden City – Wikipedia 

Revenge of the evil emperor: Mass slaughter in Beijing’s Forbidden City | Daily Mail Online 

Ghost stories about the Forbidden City – chinatripedia 

故宫闹鬼最严重的地方，阴阳巷闹鬼吓得健壮小伙百病缠身 

https://www.toutiao.com/article/6634789247100387843/?wid=1699171990514

百鬼夜行在故宫？真实的紫禁城其实披着一层你不知道的黑暗面纱？ 

Shadow of a Ghost (1981) – IMDb 

https://read01.com/kzdeROn.html

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The Headless Ghost of Reichenstein Castle

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Reichenstein Castle is also known as Falkenburg, standing on a mountain spur in the Rhine Valley. For a long time it was under the domain of a long line of robber knights that plundered everything and everyone. And the last of the robber knights are said to haunt the place as a headless ghost.

Germany may be one of the most beautiful and remarkable countries in Europe, but its haunted old castles have a history filled with ghost stories and legends that are sure to send chills down your spine. From dark fairytales of princesses and knights and robber kings to magnificent castles in ruins, these gloomy buildings have a history of hauntings that make them truly one-of-a-kind.

The oldest part of Reichenstein Castle is far up in the wine producing village of Trechtlingshausen in the Rhine Valley. The castle was built way back in the 11th century, but the castle has been destroyed and rebuilt so many times it is now a time capsule of history. The castle was meant to protect a neighboring village, but ended up with a long period of being the fortress for a robber knight that are said to still haunt the place. 

The Robber Baron

One of the people living in Reichenstein Castle was a robber baron named Dietrich von Hohenfels who lived in the castle at the end of the 1200s. He had grown up in Reichenstein Castle as the third born son of Philip von Hohenfels, a robber as well and didn’t know any other way of living. When he took over the castle after his father, he followed in his footsteps and it is said he got even more notorious than his father.

Dietrich von Hohenfels lived together with his nine sons and used the castle to hoard all of his riches he stole from passing ships in the Rhine River. Together the robber baron and the rest of his knights abused their subjects, stole their wives and robbed traders and defenseless wanderess alike according to the stories that are now told of them. 

All of this happened in a time of great turmoil known as the Great Interregnum in the Holy Roman Empire that Germany at the time was a part of. No one seemed to be able to gather under only one leader, and anarchy, crime and robber knights such as Dietrich von Hohenfels and his family ran rampant. 

This would all come to an end when the House of Habsburg would rise to power and rule the Holy Roman Empire for generations to come. In 1273, Rudolf von Hasburg was elected leader and started his campaign to stop all of the robber knights who had gained too much wealth and power and been left alone for too long. 

The Beheading of the Robbers

In the end the robber baron and his knights all got captured and had to pay for their crimes in 1282 when the whole castle was besieged by Rudolf von Habsburg. There are several variations of the legend. Some say that Dietrich von Hohenfels managed to escape the siege of Reichenstein Castle with his wife, Agnes, but the rest of his knights were hanged. But he didn’t live for long as his former subject bore a grudge and hunted him down, eventually finding him and killing him and his wife. Because of their crime and regrets, they are now wandering in their afterlife in the castle. 

Another variation of the legend tells that Dietrich von Hohenfels died together with his nine sons during the siege. In this version, Hohenfels pleaded for the lives of his sons, but his plea was denied. All of them were executed by decapitation and buried in the chapel inside of the castle. It says that the headless ghost of Hohenfels is still haunting Reichenstein Castle, himself haunted by being the reason his sons met their early demise. 

The last legend is how Dietrich von Hohenfels managed to save his sons with his head. When he pleaded to Rudolf von Habsburg, he was given a challenge. Dietrich von Hohenfels would be beheaded standing up, with his sons standing in a line to await their faith. Each son Dietrich von Hohenfels managed to pass after he was beheaded was to be spared. So he was beheaded and his headless body was swaying for a moment before passing all of his sons and managed to save their life. The sons were spared, and never heard from again. 

The Ghost of Reichenstein Castle

Not only do the old castles like Reichenstein Castle provide a peek into Germany’s past, but they also represent amazing architecture from centuries ago. There is something truly captivating about wandering through ancient walled fortifications and hearing about their cursed pasts in between eerie stories of ghostly figures passing by. 

Today it is said that the ghost of Dietrich von Hohenfels is heard rather than seen inside of the castle and the guests visiting are said to feel like they are never truly alone. Other unexplained things like windows and doors opening and closing without there being anyone there. 

And for eternity the once mighty Robber Baron Dietrich von Hohenfels are forced to haunt the grounds of the ruins of his own castle.

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References

Great Castles – Ghost of Burg Reichenstein

Interregnum (Holy Roman Empire) – Wikipedia  

Rudolf I of Germany – Wikipedia 

Haunted Castles of the World by Charles A. Coulombe

Dietrich von Hohenfels

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Nazi Soldiers Haunting Château Lagorce in France

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Travel back in time and explore the history of Château Lagorce, a beautiful castle located in France. Learn about its fascinating past and uncover the secrets behind its walls!  

Nestled among the rolling French countryside lies Château Lagorce, a magnificent castle with centuries of history of wine-filled Bordeaux. 

But even though the wine party never ends in the beautiful French countryside, there are also those that claim that the place is a haunted one. And this particular Château is said to be haunted by the Nazi soldier that took camp in the Château during World War II. So sip the fresh wine and let’s have a look at this haunted castle.

The History of Château Lagorce

The story of the former castle turned Château is riddled with wars and blood and the history remembers. During the 14th, 15th as well as the 16th century it was embroiled in feudal wars of who the castle belonged to and it traded families and names constantly. 

The building used to be more prepared for war with tall and thick towers and a protective moat surrounding it. 

The structure of Château Lagorce has changed many times as it was destroyed many times before being rebuilt. After the French Revolution the property was in a very bad shape and sold to a wine producer and produced red wine and Sauvignon Blanc. 

In 2003 a thorough restoration of the castle began by the Holmes family to get back to its once great glory. They now run it as a hotel.

Sauvignon Blanc Wine Country

Château Lagorce is located in the historic wine making region of Sauvignon Blanc, renowned for its production of the world’s finest white wines. As far back as the 15th century, this magnificent location has been celebrated for producing high quality wines. 

Records show that the sauvignon blanc vineyards surrounding Château Lagorce have produced exceptional vintages every year since 1409 and this is the reason why people now seek out this place. But during World War II however, the Germans occupied the castle and it is said that their ghosts are still haunting the castle.

Ghosts of Soldiers from World War II

One of the most haunting stories related to Château Lagorce is the legend of the spirits of soldiers from World War II who perished in battle nearby. During World War II the Germans occupied the building and made it into a Nazi post where they housed mostly prominent generals.

People claim to have heard voices screaming “Fight!” and locals say that these ghostly figures haunt the chateau’s winding paths, appearing at dusk and disappearing as quickly as they appeared. 

When ghost hunters visited the place they experienced a lot of disturbances with their gear and one of the investigators even experienced the feeling of being pinned down to her bed, something that more than one guest has claimed. 

Also words like “This is mine”, “Get out” and the name “Pierre” have been called out in the dark belonging to no one. 

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References

Château Lagorce – Wikipedia

Haunted Chateaux – bordeaux-undiscovered.co.uk

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The Soldier Ghosts Haunting the Iconic Château de Chambord

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Get to know one of the most iconic castles in France – Château de Chambord. The grand castle is, according to legend, designed by Leonardo da Vinci himself. And it is also said that the castle is haunted by the souls of the soldiers of the Franco-Prussian War.

Built by King Francis I in the 1600s, the Château de Chambord is one of France’s most iconic castles in the Loire Valley in the heart of France because of its distinct French Renaissance architecture. 

The Château was originally built to be a hunting lodge for King Francis I and it is filled with centuries of history, the majestic site quickly became one of the country’s biggest attractions and remains a must-see destination for travelers today. 

History of Château de Chambord

Château de Chambord was built by King Francis I of France from 1519 to 1547. The property took 14 years to build and stretch out an impressive 52,000 square meters (558,000 sq feet). 

Its design was a blend of both Gothic and Renaissance architecture, with a blend of French and Italian elements the French brought home from Italy after the Hundred Years’ War. The castle is surrounded by a park 5 km (3 miles) in circumference and is home to 46 staircases, 282 fireplaces, and 440 rooms.

Designed by Leonardo Da Vinci?

The immense double staircase is an exceptional feature of the Château de Chambord, which according to legend was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, although the true architect behind it is much disputed. This design which blends together two symmetrical independent spiral staircases is perhaps one of its most remarkable features. In order to ensure this symmetry, both staircases ascend the same height and never meet each other. 

Château de Chambord’s double helix also intersects with multiple rooms, creating spectacular illusions by allowing visitors to originate from any point of departure and remain completely unseen from anyone in the opposite staircase.

The Hauntings at Château de Chambord

Rumors about paranormal activity in the castle have been around since the 19th century and the castle has been abandoned many times during the long war years, revolution and so on. Many visitors reported seeing mysterious figures and hearing strange, unexplained noises inside its walls. 

During the Franco-Prussian War from 1870-1871 the Château de Chambord was used as a field hospital. The war was between the Second French Empire and The North German Confederation that ended in German victory. It also ended in over 40 000 deaths on the German side and over 138 000 deaths on the French side. 

Many were taken to the Château de Chambord that was a field hospital back then and ended their lives there. After this, people in the grand Château claim to see the ghosts of the dead soldiers still wandering the halls and the grand staircase. 

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References

Château de Chambord – Wikipedia

Franco-Prussian War – Wikipedia 

France’s Top 5 Haunted Castles 

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The Lady in Green Haunting Château de Brissac

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The tragic story of Château de Brissac and the murder of Charlotte de Brézé is a haunting one, but not a rare one as it houses the ghost of a woman murdered by her own husband and is forced to remain as a ghost.

It’s no secret that the Château de Brissac holds centuries of ghostly secrets in the Loire Valley. As one of the highest, grandest and oldest castles in France, it has been home to some of the most mysterious occurrences in all of Europe, including that of the Lady in Green. Unearth the tales about its ghosts, spirits and supernatural activity inside!

Discover the History of Château de Brissac

Château de Brissac has a long, colorful history that provides a backdrop for its resident spirits. Built in the 11th century by the Counts of Anjou but renovated in the 16th century, it stands as an impressive monument to France’s past. Its past inhabitants have left behind a tale of murder and misfortune – one that still haunts the castle today.

Rebuilt in 1611 after the French Wars of Religion, the architecture of the Château de Brissac is unlike any other in France. It features a unique combination of early Renaissance and classic Renaissance styles. It’s surrounded by seven towers and many turrets, windows, and balconies. 

Its main reception hall is one of the largest in Europe, measuring an impressive 80 feet long by 30 feet wide. The walls are actually double-walled to prevent fires and its design includes a mezzanine for extra storage space. Even its natural environment acts as a defensive wall against intruders since it’s located deep in dark forests!

The Ghost of the Green Lady or La Dame Verte

Many ghosts in French ghost story lore are said to be Dame Blanches or Ladies in White. And although the ghost of the Château de Brissac follows in the same pattern, the ghost is remembered and rumored to be a Lady in Green or La Dame Verte. 

The spirits of Château de Brissac are said to still linger in its walls, though sightings of them have become rarer over the years. 

Legends of La Dame Verte, the Green Lady, are some of the most popular tales told about the Château de Brissac. It is said that she was murdered by her own husband and now wanders the halls in search of vengeance. Some believe these stories are real, while others think they’re far-fetched. 

The Murder of Charlotte de Brézé

One of the reasons why Château de Brissac is so famously haunted is due to a tragic event that took place there. Charlotte de Brézé, the wife of Jacques de Breze and mistress of the castle, was mysteriously murdered inside one of its rooms. 

She was the illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII and his mistress, Agnes Sorel. She married Jacques de Breze, the lord of Château de Brissac in 1462 and had 5 children with him. The match was not a success however and Charlotte found the boring country life too much. 

Jacques de Breze suspected her of having an affair with another man, one of his huntsmen, Pierre de Lavergne. On the night of May 31 in 1477 she was murdered by her husband when he ran his sword through her as well as her lover because of his jealousy. 

She is said to haunt the tower room of the chapel of Château de Brissac, wearing her green dress and it is said that Jacques de Breze had to move out from the castle as he was tormented by her ghost. Years later, visitors still report hearing cries in the night at Château de Brissac, perhaps forever labeling it as one of France’s most haunted places!

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References

Charlotte de Brézé – Wikipedia

Château de Brissac – Wikipedia

The Ghost of the Green Lady Haunts this Spectacular French Chateau

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The Lost Castle of Hollerwiese

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The story of the lost castle of Hollerwiese on Mariahilfberg Hill is still a mystery to this day. It is said that the ghosts of those living in the castle are still seen on the meadow where the castle once stood. 

East of the city of Amberg in Bavarian Germany, there is a forest-covered ridge, reaching the top called Mariahilfberg Hill and has many mysterious legends surrounding it. The hilltop is crowned with a beautiful church, surrounded by a vast forest. Behind the church is a meadow known as the Hollerwiese or Hollow Meadow. 

It used to be an unwooded area up until the 1800s but is now covered with trees like the rest of the hill, hiding away the name and the legend. But according to legend, the ground sounds strangely hollow when you throw stones on it. 

Read Also: This is not the only mysterious forest in the world. Read about the haunted Romanian forest Hoia Baciu as well.

The Two Sisters

There is a legend that once there was a castle standing where two very wealthy sisters lived. They had also inherited the monastery in Amberg and the towns of Raigering and Neumühle from their father and had more than enough for both of them. 

Their wealth was stored in huge barrels and chests in the basement of the castle of Hollerwiese. The two sisters decided to share their wealth with each other and together they promised to help each other and live in harmony. 

One of the sisters was blind and the seeing sister was the one counting the money and keeping track of their fortune. In the beginning the blind sister trusted her sister without questions. 

The Church on the hill: Here you see Wallfahrtskirche Maria Hilf in Amberg. The lost castle and the meadow are supposed to be right behind it. //Source: Campiana/wikimedia

The seeing sister got greedy however and started to keep more and more to herself, giving her sister less. This was something the blind sister started to suspect. 

One day, the blind sister felt with her hand on the uneven stacks of gold and realized how her sister had deceived her. She cursed the castle, making it sink into the earth, still with both of them inside where none of them would have the opportunity to spend their fortune. 

In some versions of the legend, the blind one got out of Hollerwiese and spent the rest of her life in Neumühle. 

It is said that during holy celebrations many see the two sisters, sitting in the meadow, waving at those passing, reminding them about the barrels of gold that sits just underneath the surface. 

The Robber Baron

Another version of the story of the lost castle of Hollerwiese is about the thief that supposedly lived in the castle on the mountain. He stole goods from merchants and harvests from farmers. His daughter was grieved by their fathers criminal acts and tried to undo everything he did wrong by giving back to those he robbed. 

Often did she beg her father to stop, but he only laughed at her. And when she warned him about the Heavens vengeance, he only ignored her. But in the end, his greed was punished. 

Under a terrible thunderstorm the entire castle was washed away with all the residents. According to legend, there can still be sound remains of it under the meadow. 

Ever since that fateful night, a maiden in a white robe is seen sitting on a stone near the Hollerwiese on the evening of the solstice. Next to her is a black dog with a golden key in his mouth. This key is said to be able to open the treasure chambers of the sunken castle. 

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Ghostly encounters transpire close to Grafenwoehr | Article | The United States Army

Die gruseligsten Orte in der Oberpfalz | Galaxy Amberg-Weiden

Ein seltsames Geschichtsbuch

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The Time Travelling Ghost Haunting Château de Versailles

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Château de Versailles in France is known for being the peak of decadence, royalty and luxury. But it is also known for being one of the more haunted places in France, and even has a potential time traveling story.

Château de Versailles, the stately French palace on the outskirts of Paris, is said to be one of the most haunted places in France. 

The Palace is a formal residence to the royal family of France that was built by King Louis XIV about 19 km west of Paris. It started out as a small hunting lodge in 1623, but it kept expanding until it was the luxurious palace we know of today. 

With Château de Versailles’ dark history and numerous reports of mysterious sightings and eerie phenomena, this magnificent building has become a haven for paranormal investigators and ghost hunters alike.

The Story of Louis XIV’s Ghost

It’s rumored that the ghost of Louis XIV, the Sun King who oversaw much of Château de Versailles’ construction, still haunts the halls. He loved this palace so much that he even moved the French Court and Government into it in 1682 from the Louvre Palace. 

Witnesses say that his specter can be seen in his favorite chambers and garden pathways, wearing a traditional robe de chambre and capotain hat. The sound of horses galloping on unseen paths have been heard too, dead silent at midnight – a ghostly reminder of Louis’ presence in the form of what some believe to be his funeral procession.

Mysterious Sightings of Marie Antoinette’s Ghost

One of the more famous ghosts in the world must be that of Marie Antoinette, who in her afterlife, also has a lot of rumors around her. She is mostly known for quoting that the people should eat cake instead as they didn’t have any bread. This is false as she never said this. It is also said she is haunting the rooms of the Versailles palace. But can this also be false?

It is widely believed that the ghostly figure of former Queen Marie Antoinette can often be spotted walking near the Grand Trianon and inside of the palace. Even more chilling, some have heard her sobs echoing throughout the empty halls in the dead of night. 

Others claim to have seen a woman wearing her famous white dress, complete with a white rose in her hand, sauntering along the grounds of Château de Versailles.

The Ghost of the Petit Trianon

The most famous haunting is of the Petit Trianon, the grounds outside the palace. Or is it really a ghost story as one of the theories is that it was actually a time slip. The story was written down and published in 1911 that fueled the rumors that a ghost was haunting the Château de Versailles. 

Two English women visited the palace as they traveled through France on a hot August day in 1901. Miss Moberly was a headmistress of St Hugh’s College for women in Oxford while Miss Jourdain was a former student of hers who was now her assistant. 

As they were having a pleasant trip through the gardens they asked for directions from two men they met dressed in green coats and three cornered hats with spades in their hands. Strange, but perhaps not too strange at an old palace. But the two women suddenly started to feel a strange sensation and growing distress as it was something they couldn’t quite pinpoint. They also passed a Chinese kiosk on their way. 

Photo by Leah Kelley on Pexels.com

They then encountered a woman wearing an old dress and a white hat while she was drawing in the garden. The women were overwhelmed by the experience, and they returned to Paris, agreeing that the place was definitely haunted. 

Another theory was that they had experienced some sort of time slip or time travel. One of the proofs they presented was their own ignorance over the palace and garden at their visit. But when they looked at plans for the Trianon, they found that there indeed had been a Chinese kiosk there in 1774.

Unseen Spirits in the Hallways at Night

In the darkness of the night, some visitors have reported hearing strange noises and feeling a mysterious presence when walking along the Château de Versailles dimly lit hallways. One such story is about an unseen spirit that supposedly haunts the palace’s famous Hall of Mirrors or in the gardens of Petit Trianon. Witnesses like cleaners, guides and visitors have claimed to see dark shadows lurking in the corner of their eyes or feel a chill whenever they step foot into this eerie place.

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The ghosts of Trianon | Palace of Versailles

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The Buried Alive Ghosts of Château de Trécesson in the Enchanted Forest

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Château de Trécesson, the ancient castle in Brittany has more than one ghost haunting the place. Perhaps it’s not too strange to be haunted by the mysterious Dames Blanches when the location of the castle is in an enchanted forest.

Château de Trécesson is an ancient castle tucked away in the French countryside that has been the source of fascination and speculation among locals for centuries. 

The castle in Brittany has a mysterious past and its origin is lost in the mists of time, replete with tales of hauntings and supernatural phenomena, has attracted visitors far and wide hoping to get a glimpse into its paranormal secrets.

History of Château de Trécesson?

Château de Trécesson is an ancient castle situated in the French countryside, and it dates all the way back to 810 AD. The castle is built on the foot of the Buttes de Tiot and has stood for more than two millennia and endured the passing of time, but its rich history and ghostly lore still remain a mystery.

It’s rumored to be haunted by ghosts, and visitors have reported having odd experiences while visiting the castle grounds.

Legends and Ghost stories of Château de Trécesson?

There are many rumors and tales about Château de Trécesson that have been passed down through generations. One of them is of several guests at the castle that have seen a group of ghosts playing cards. Who the winner will be in the eternal game they are playing or what game of cards they have been on for ages are uncertain. 

There is also talk of an unknown monk wandering nearby close to the meadow by the castle and on the roadside leading up to it. He is sometimes described as headless. Perhaps not so surprising as the Château de Trécesson is built in the The Enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, a place of wonder and supernatural in every tree stem.

The Enchanted Forest of Brocéliande

The Castle is close to a part of the mythological forest known as Brocéliande. The real forest connected to this is the The Paimpont Forest. It is located around the village of Paimpont in Brittany. 

It contains the castles Château de Comper and Château de Trécesson as well as the Forges of Paimpont, a national historic site. It has been associated with the forest of Brocéliande and many locations from Arthurian legend, including the Val sans retour, the tomb of Merlin, and the fountain of Barenton as well as The Lady of the Lake. 

Dames Blanches French Folklore

There’s also a long-standing local legend involving the castle’s ‘Dames Blanches’, or ‘White Ladies’. According to folklore, these female ghosts are said to inhabit the castle and torment its inhabitants with misfortune, calamity, and sometimes even death in many stories in French folklore.

This castle has also been said to have one of these Lady’s in white or Dames Blanches in residence from the time the castle was in the hands of Monsieur de Trécesson. 

People tell stories of hearing strange whispers in the walls, feeling cold chills running through the rooms, and seeing shadowy figures of beautiful women in a muddy white dress with a flower crown roaming around in the night air.

It is said it was her brothers who murdered her in 1750 that buried her alive on her wedding day as they felt they had accepted a wedding that dishonored the family. 

The whole event was spotted by a couple of poachers that saw the carriage with the woman was out in the woods and the men started digging the grave they sealed her in before driving away. Why they didn’t have the decency to kill her before burying her is unclear. 

The poachers found the courage to tell the people in the nearby village about it, and they came for her rescue. They were too late and she died, but didn’t really leave. It is said she is seen close to the castle, and floating on the waters still wearing her wedding dress. 

Her name or where she came from was never discovered. 

The Heartbroken Lovers

Another popular tale tells of two lovers being separated due to their families’ objections. The man was forced by his father to go fight in the crusade of 1249. He was killed in battle and his young wife died of grief only a few months after the news reached her. 

The spirit of the two lovers have been spotted replaying their final farewell scene close to the castle’s gateway. 

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Brittany’s Most Haunted Castles

The Castle of Trécesson – Tourist Office of Brocéliande (Brittany, France)

Château de Trécesson – Broceliande Castle

Château de Trécesson – Wikipedia 

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Ghost Stories from Greoux-les-Bains and the Château des Templiers

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Discover spooky tales and legendary ghost stories from Greoux-les-Bains, France. Tales from the haunted castle of the knight templar are said to be plentiful and the entire historic town is rumored to be haunted.

Gréoux-les-Bains in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in France is not for the faint of heart. It dubbed itself as a picturesque Provençal town known for its therapeutic thermal mineral water and the old building of Château des Templiers. 

The old fortress town in southeastern France has certainly been a significant place in France during the course of history and a lot of bloody, tragic and events have scarred the place over the years. Even healthy mineral water has been unable to cure. 

Greoux-les-Bains is a mountain town located in Provence, France. Not only is it famous for its thermal baths and Roman ruins, but it is also home to many tales of hauntings and mysterious encounters. Many of the stories involve old castles that still stand around the area, as well as other haunted locations throughout the region.

The Haunted Town of Greoux-les-Bains

For centuries, this small town has been home to a multitude of eerie tales and haunted locations. From empty castles to spooky cemeteries, there’s no shortage of places to explore in search of paranormal activity, and Greoux-les-Bains is said to have all this.

But where do these ghosts really reside? People say that you can encounter a haunting in every street in the town, but there is especially one place that is said to have a paranormal aura bigger than other buildings. 

The Haunted Château des Templiers

The most well known place in Greoux-les-Bains is the Château des Templiers, or the castle of the knight templars, often remembered as a mysterious group of knights who traveled far away and ended up coming back with many secrets of the occult. 

Located by the right bank of the river Verdon is the castle that once belonged to the knight templars where it got its name from. The castle which is the third largest in the region was built in the 12th or the 13th century and today the square courtyard is now a place where they host shows and concerts. But it is also the place they say has the most paranormal activity attached to it. 

People that have taken a nighttime stroll on top of the hill close to the stronghold claim that they have heard whispers from the shadows belonging to no one, and there has even been spotted one or two shadows over the stone walls that didn’t have any real body attached to it. 

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Featured Image: Wikimedia/Calips

Greoux-les-Bains : A picturesque provençal town

Le château et sa légende – Gréoux-les-bains

The Most Scary Places to Visit in France

10 Most Terrifying and Haunted Places in France – ConnollyCove 

Gréoux-les-Bains – Wikipedia 

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The Haunted Château de Commarque

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Tales of longing linger within Chateau de Commarque’s ancient ruins and tell of a ghost wandering among them from a legend sounding like a Romeo and Juliet story. However, this ghost is said not to be a human

Lurking among the breathtaking vineyards and cobblestone streets of southwestern France, Chateau de Commarque stands starkly against the fading horizon on a rocky hill. 

Its defensive towers still stand tall despite its age, but it has also silently become a land steeped in mystery – many believe it to be haunted by ancient terrors, while others seek to unravel its mysteries. 

Château de Commarque history

Château de Commarque has a long and storied history. It was first built by the Lords of Commarque in the 12th century built to protect the nearby abbey. But the castle expanded and the wooden towers were built into stone and was a strategic place during the Hundred Year War, where it was taken by the English which held the castle for many years.

Château de Commarque was in and out of the hands of the Beynac family who were essential to the ghost story the castle had. The Beynac family were once again robbed of the castle during the French Wars of Religion in the 1500s because they were a protestant family and partisans.

The Castle was later abandoned in the 18th century as many castles were during that time in the midst of all the revolutions going on. 

Unearth the Castle’s Dark History

With centuries of mystery and events shrouding the Château de Commarque’s walls, it has become more than just another ruin. Its dark past reveals that, over the years, it has been home to numerous secrets – some more macabre than others. 

There is even a prehistoric cave underneath the cliff supporting the Château de Commarque ruins. The cave had around 150 drawings etched into the stone from a man made some 15 000 years ago that wasn’t discovered before 1915. 

From stories of ghostly figures appearing in the now ruins of the former castle to tales of lost souls and torture chambers hidden beneath the castle grounds, there are many stories left untouched as we uncover what truly lies within.

The Horse Haunting the Ruins

The most famed legend told about Château de Commarque is almost like a Romeo and Juliet story of star crossed lovers who were pitted together because of their family’s feud. It is even said that those witnessing the ghost have died under strange circumstances. 

The legend is about the daughter of the Count of Commarque living there at the time. He and the Baron of Beynac were fighting about territory, and his daughter ended up falling in love with the son of her rival family.

The Count of Commarque did not approve of this match at all and ended up putting the young man and his enemy in prison in the dungeons of the castle. He had to be there in the darkness alone for a couple of months until they had him beheaded. 

It isn’t the daughter haunting the ruins of Château de Commarque though, in search of her lost lover who her father killed. It isn’t even said to be the young man who died because of his father and his rival’s battle. It is his horse. The loyal and loving horse once belonging to the man is said to wander in the ruins of the Château de Commarque in search of his former master. 

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Gite Château de Commarque haunted, tragic love storyChâteau de Commarque — Wikipédia