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This is a guest contribution from freelance writer Sally Writes.
Castles have been around for over 1000 years since the first one was built in Germany. More than a thousand continue to this day with most being located all around Europe, Asia, and Africa with a few elsewhere.
Castles have been used historically for defense, as prisons, military fortresses, and homes for royalty. They were the center of life in many regions as one of the most secure places to be during times of conflict.
Castles have been thought to be haunted by their pasts as a center for death during sieges, conflicts for royalty, and places of torture in some cases, but today they make for a fun and seriously spooky historical vacation destination.
Haunted Castles in Europe
Europe has a lot of castles because of its violent history and almost every country seems to have a few haunted ones of their own.
The Tower of London in the capital of the United Kingdom is one of the most popular. The Tower was used as both a royal palace and as a prison and has seen its fair share of death. It is a place full of haunted history for fans of England as some of Henry VIII’s wives lost their heads here and two prices disappeared in the 1500s, believed to have been murdered by their uncle Richard III to claim the throne.
Romania’s Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle is another one of Europe’s main haunted castle history hot spots. The castle is located in Transylvania, Romania and is so haunted that it inspired the novel, Dracula, based on its original owner, Vlad the Impaler. Vlad Dracula as he was known in his days, was a ruthless ruler who would impale his victims on stakes to instill a message of fear. The castle itself was never lived in by Dracula but contains some creepy features like the heart of Queen Marie of Romania and ghosts have reportedly been known to terrorize locals in the surrounding area.
Outside of Europe
Castles form a part of the culture of many countries, not just in Europe, but around the world.
In Japan, the Himeji Castle, located in Hygo Prefecture, is known for being haunted by a ghost named Okiku who scares nighttime visitors. The castle reflects some of Japan’s best preserved samurai-era architecture but guests have also seen some creepy experiences. The castle is known for having disappearing objects and for random shrieks echoing through the halls.
In South Africa, the Castle of Good Hope is known for its violent past. The building is the oldest of the Cape Colony and is haunted because a group of convicts in the early colonial period were said to have drowned in a windowless room. They thus haunt the castle today, along with a dog who jumps at visitors before suddenly disappearing and a self-ringing bell.
Castles have shaped the world we live today. They have been major influencers in the history of the world and major tourist attractions today. The haunting of castles stems from the tragic pasts of some, and they remain some of the coolest attractions to visit on vacation.
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