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The Katyn Massacre and Hauntings in the Smolensk Forest

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Close to Smolensk in Russia, the Katyn Forest hides horrible war atrocities known as the Katyn Massacre. The horrible smudge on the beautiful forest has made some think that this could be one of the more haunted forests there is.  

The Katyn Forest in Russia is found around 20 kilometers west of Smolensk, one of the oldest cities in Russia. Although the true name is the Katyn Forest, it is often called Smolensk Forest instead.

This rural forest area conceals the painful memories of one of World War II’s darkest chapters—the Katyn Massacre. In 1940, thousands of Polish prisoners of war, including military officers, intellectuals, and cultural figures, were systematically executed by Soviet forces under Joseph Stalin’s orders together with Voroshilov Mikoyan and Molotov. 

The very name, Katyn could be of the Belarusian and Ukrainian word, Kat, meaning executioner and even in historical writings, Katyn forest was a place for executions. For how far back is unknown. The atrocity left an indelible mark on the landscape, and many believe that the spirits of those who perished continue to linger, haunting the depths of the Smolensk Forest.

Katyn Forest. The forest is often called the Smolensk Forest and is by many thought to be haunted. This is from Katyn Memorial (including Polish War Cementery)//Source

The Katyn Massacre

The Katyn Massacre, named after the Katyn Forest near Smolensk, was a brutal act of political repression executed by the Soviet NKVD. More than 4443 Polish army officers were found in the Smolensk Forest in 1943, found by the Germans that occupied the area from 1941. 

The rest of the 11000 Polish officers that were taken prisoners by the Soviets, were never heard of again. Presumably they too suffered a deadly fate and were buried in mass graves in another killing field like the one in Smolensk Forest.

The Katyn Massacre: Thousands of Polish military officers, intelligentsia, and civilian prisoners were executed by the Soviet Union’s in the spring of 1940. The massacre took place in the Katyn Forest and other Soviet prison sites. The Soviet Union blamed Nazi Germany for the atrocity. The truth about the Katyn Massacre remained hidden for decades due to Soviet propaganda, and it strained Polish-Soviet relations for many years.

The victims were shot in the back of the head and hastily buried in mass graves. For years, the Soviet Union denied responsibility, blaming the Nazis for the massacre. It wasn’t until 1990 that the Russian government by Mikhail Gorbachev officially acknowledged Soviet guilt, marking a crucial step toward historical truth and reconciliation.

In addition to the Polish prisoners, there are some soviet sources claiming that around 500 bolsheviks were killed in these woods by the nazi Germans as well as it having being found graves of people most likely killed by the soviets in the 1920s and 30s.

Haunted Legends of the Smolensk Forest

The Katyn Forest is shrouded in a melancholic atmosphere, and has become a site of eerie tales and ghostly encounters. You will also find the forest, often called the Smolensk Forest on lists of top haunted forests and the likes, although not many Russian and more local sources write much about hauntings.  

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

But some claim that the forest is haunted after the tragedy and harrowing things that happened inside it. Perhaps it even was haunted long before the second world war? They say that you can hear whispers in the wind, mournful cries, and phantom footsteps, suggesting a lingering unrest in the aftermath of the tragedy. Some describe apparitions dressed in tattered military uniforms, wandering through the trees as if searching for justice or closure.

The Memorial Complex

In 2000, a memorial complex dedicated to the victims of the Katyn Massacre was erected in the Smolensk Forest. The site features symbolic sculptures, commemorative plaques, and an atmosphere of solemn remembrance. Visitors report feeling an overwhelming sense of sorrow and reverence, as if the spirits of the fallen are still present, seeking acknowledgment and remembrance.

The Katyn Massacre was not the last Polish tragedy that happened in this area though. In 2010 a Polish plane with the Polish president Lech Kaczynski was flying to visit this memorial in honor of the 70 year anniversary for the massacre. The plane went down close to Smolensk and he died.

The Haunted Katyn Forest by Smolensk

The Katyn Forest stands as a poignant testament to the profound impact of war and human suffering. The Katyn Massacre’s haunting legacy, intertwined with the forest’s history as a place of executions and mass graves, serves as a reminder of the importance of historical truth and collective remembrance. 

As visitors explore this somber landscape, they are confronted not only by the echoes of tragedy but also by the enduring spirits that beckon for acknowledgment, urging the world never to forget the atrocities committed in the heart of the Katyn Forest.

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References:

The Ghosts of Katyn Forest – Los Angeles Times 

Катынский лес — Википедия 

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The Pagan Haunting of Die Karlsteine in Osnabrück

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

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

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

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

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

The Massacre of the Pagans

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kirchlengern Forest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Pagan Legends Haunting the Stones and Forest

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

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

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

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

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

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Gyeongsan Abandoned Cobalt Mine

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What kind of tragedy can be so horrible that it is mostly silenced and forgotten by the world? The massacre of thousands of people that were found in the Gyeongsan Abandoned Cobalt Mine is one of them. But although often ignored and not talked about in the later years, the haunting rumors of ghosts from the past still has a firm clasp of the place. 

There used to be an abandoned cobalt mine in Gyeongsan in South Korea in full operation and a little easier to access than it is today.

The Cobalt Mine was used during the Japanese occupation where the Japanese used Korean labor to mine gold, silver and then eventually, cobalt, but abandoned it when the mine was emptied. 

During the Korean war, many people, civilians as well as convicts were accused of conspiring with the communists and North Korea. Many of them were brutally massacred in the area and their bodies were thrown into the mines to be forgotten in this so-called Red Hunt from July to September in 1950. 

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The Massacre in the Gyeongsan Abandoned Cobalt Mine

It is believed that many of the victims were political prisoners that were supposed to be moved from Daegu Prison to Busan Prison and it is estimated that around 2000 to 3 500 people were murdered and tossed into the mines. 

Gyeongsan Abandoned Cobalt Mine: A massacre is hiding inside the Gyeongsan Abandoned Cobalt Mine.

There is to this day not spoken a lot about the war crimes that happened and a lot of it has been silenced by both parties. Even by the families that were affected by the massacre as they even to this fear can feel fear of the guilt by association that many of the victims of the massacre was. 

The families affected by this have still not gotten their apology and answers for what happened to their family members as most of the skeletons found have never really been examined and the entrance to the mines simply sealed off.

And most likely, what really happened probably never will see the light of day. 

The Hauntings of Gyeongsan Abandoned Cobalt Mine

But their ghosts created legends of their own as sites of huge atrocities and tragedies have occurred. 

Many legends surround the last owners of the mine that brutally died as well as factory owners of factories that were built close to the mine. One of the last companies to be in operation around the same parts as the mine was a glasses manufacturer. 

The owner of said factury is said to have poured petroleum over himself as well as his sleeping employees before setting them all on fire. They all burned to death. However not really confirmed by any hard evidence. 

Although sealed off and left to be forgotten, the locals are said to avoid the site of the abandoned mines, even to this day. 

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References

Top 12 Most Haunted Places In South Korea!

Creatrip: Korea’s Most Haunted Places

경산 코발트광산 학살사건 – 위키백과, 우리 모두의 백과사전

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The Haunting on Jeju Island

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After terrible tragedies, stories of ghosts often linger hauntingly at the same place. This is the case of Jeju Island, a place that experienced a horrible massacre the place is still recovering from. 

In Korea, the self-governing Jeju island is probably most known to be a great vacation place with its beautiful coastline and lush green scenery. It also houses the biggest mountain in South Korea, Hallasan. 

But the light and lush place has its dark and horrible past. The Jeju massacre from 1948 to 1949, is one of the horrible memories the island holds when in an anti communist campaign the Korean army massacred a tenth of the Islands population. 

The Jeju Uprising

The Korean peninsula was in an uproar during the Korean war and loyalty to the different regimes were in black and white. The Jeju Uprising was also later known as April 3. Incident (제주 4·3 사건)

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A separatist movement of the communists broke out on the island and the South Korean army struck hard on it right before the outbreak of the Korean War. The government ordered a massacre and although not a definite number has been provided the massacre itself resulted in around 30 000 people dying. That is around 10 % of the Jeju population that were slaughtered in fear of them being for the communists. 

However, the guilt by association sentiment was strong in the Korean army and both innocent and children were killed and harmed during this massacre. And in the aftermath of the massacre several people died by their wounds, starvation or exposure seeing that entire villages were burned to the ground. 

The Haunting Aftermath of the Jeju Massacre

After this horrible tragedy, the islanders claim that the place is haunted by the people that were massacred as they never got peace, justice or even recovered the bodies in some cases. 

Go Wan-soon was one of the survivors of the massacre at just nine years old. Even she remembers the stories of ghosts that the survivors allegedly encountered after the massacre: 

“People said they saw a white skirt, a white top – there were ghosts,” she said. “I could not go to some places, I was so scared.” She told Asian Times in 2018.

Caves and popular hiking spots are said to be places where the ghosts still roam those who were killed. 

Jeju Uprising: Jeju citizens awaiting execution in May 1948.//Source.

Why especially are these places claimed to be haunted? Perhaps the mass grave next to Jeju’s airport can hold the answer as 388 bodies were uncovered in this grave far from everything else as recent as in 2008. 

Secluded places where mass graves of the killed people sometimes come to light even in the later years, showing just how raw and huge the collective trauma of the massacre still are to the locals.

Places like the Saebyeol Oreum Circus are said to be haunted, although perhaps because of its abandoned eeri aura or perhaps because of the massacre itself. 

When tragedy and atrocities such as the Jeju massacre happens, the aftermath of it is often explained through paranormal phenomena. The same can be said of the Gyeongsan Abandoned Cobalt Mine massacre from the same time that also suffers from legends of ghosts and hauntings in its later years. 

One can wonder if it is the dead or the survivors that are not able to move on from the tragedy. 

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References

8 Haunted Places In South Korea You Didn’t Know Existed

Top 12 Most Haunted Places In South Korea!

Jeju’s Most Chilling Ghost Stories

On Jeju, Korea’s island of ghosts, the dead finally find a voice – Asia Times

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28th of December – The Original Friday 13th

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On the Christian Calendar, apparently the 28th of December is the most unluckiest day on the calendar. The day was remembered as a sort of Friday the 13th. after a massacre of innocent children happened. This is the story of Childermass.

Once upon the time, the 28th of December was a day known as Feast of the Holy Innocent or Childermass. Why was it called Childermass? A bit odd name for a church day, but certainly the most fitting because of its backstory. The reason behind the name tells a sad story on tops of the memory of dead children.

The Massacre of Innocent in Bethlehem

“Herod the King, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day;
His men of might, in his own sight,
All children young, to slay.”
– The Coventry Carol

28th of December, or Childermass remembers the day when King Herod commanded the slaughter of all the young male children under the age of two in Bethlehem. The sources of this happening is what we have been told in the Bible as told in Matthew 2:16. 

The Romans appointed him King of Judea in 37 B.C, and King Herod executed the children to prevent the new King of the Jews to rise that was foretold in the Old Testament.

Read Also: Check out more Haunted and Unlucky Numbers her in the Moonmausoleum.

Most of the biblical scholars tend to believe the story of the massacre of the children is a myth, but the Church thinks differently and remember the day as it was a real thing that happened. The christian scholars think that the slaughtered children are the first Christian martyrs and are celebrated like that.

Childermass and the slaughter of innocent: The Massacre of the Innocents painted between 1582 and 1587 by Jacopo Tintoretto. It depicts the massacre that was believed to have happened in Bethlehem on 28th of December and is remembered as Childermass or Feast of the Holy Innocents.

In the western church the date is marked to be on 28th of December. In the eastern church it is marked on the 29th of December. Why then do we keep remembering this day that maybe didn’t even happen, perhaps even today? According to a CBC article on the matter, a Dr. Gary Waite, teaching about European religion, witchcraft and the devil says:

“In the medieval era, every household would have experienced the death of a child, The feast of the Holy Innocents would have spoken to an experience that almost all families shared.”

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And even though the church never intended that the 28th of December was going to be remembered to be an an unlucky one, folk traditions, fears and believes were not easily persuaded.

The Childermass day was considered cursed by many. In Francis Kildale’s glossary from 1855, he called it: “that the day of the week on which it falls is marked as a black day for the whole year to come.”

Superstitions of the Childermass Day

No ships were supposed to take off from the ports on 28th of December and it was considered omen for weather. The Childermass day was also a day one didn’t get married and it was dangerous for children just in general. Up until the seventeenth century it was considered good luck to beat the child with a stick on childermass to remember the suffering of Jesus.

Read More: Check out more Sailors Superstitions

Childermass, or the Holy Innocents Day is not really celebrated much today though, and the feeling that the day is unlucky has also dwindled over the years. In some household it is a day were the youngest gets all the power for the day, and in Mexico it is a day for younger people to prank the older.

Today we don’t really head the old superstitions of the olden days. Although. The number 13 is actually neglected on buildings storey buildings and the likes. So… What made the 28th any different?

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