The World Beyond

We all know, from just a quick glance at the daily news, that the world is a terrifying place. And that’s without taking into account all the reputed ghouls and ghosts said to be roaming about. In a world fraught with daily terrors and anxieties, it is easy to overlook the spectral enigmas that dwell in the darker corners of our planet. Beyond the headlines of worldly horrors, a shadowy realm teems with the legends of restless spirits and restless souls.

It seems that ethereal beings traverse the Earth, in search of peace and tranquility, or perhaps, just the simple thrill of scaring the living shit out of the living. We’re not going to try and second guess the motives of ghosts, after all. Whose motivations are as elusive as the phantoms themselves.

While for many, Halloween embodies nothing more than costumes and the search for candy, for us it presents an opportunity to delve into our collective intrigue with the supernatural. From decaying asylums and forsaken penitentiaries to centuries-old manors, remote mountain taverns, and long-forgotten villages, in today’s blog post we’ll embark on a chilling journey to explore 15 of the most reputedly haunted locales on the planet.

As we traverse these spectral landscapes, we’ll unravel tales of phantoms, restless specters, and unexplainable phenomena. So, brace yourselves, for our not-for-the-faint-of-heart expedition begins now. Read on – if you dare.

Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana, USA: St. Francisville is a small town north-west of New Orleans near the Mississippi border. Despite being known as one of the most haunted houses in America, Myrtles Plantation is now a bed & breakfast.

And with 10 people being murdered in the mansion itself, it’s no surprise there have been so many reported ghost sightings. Chloe is the most famous. Having had her ear cut off by her lover, she wears a green turban, peering intently at visitors while they’re in bed. More eerie sightings include a child bouncing on the beds, a soldier, a voodoo priestess, and the ghost of the previous owner who was also murdered in the mansion. https://www.themyrtles.com/

The Skirvin Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA:

Since opening in 1911, the luxurious Skirvin established itself as a place nobody ever wanted to leave. Or maybe can’t?? Closed for nearly 20 years, the hotel reopened in 2007 as part of the Hilton chain. There are ghosts of the original owner’s mistress and his illegitimate child, who roam the halls with a stroller. Rumors of the hauntings have been reported by the National Basketball Association

The New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls reported doors slamming shut on their own and babies crying inside and outside their rooms. People have even reported being groped in the shower. The hotel proved too creepy for the LA Lakers who checked out early and found accommodations with fewer handsy ghosts and eternally wailing children. https://skirvinhilton.com/

Chateau de Brissac, Maine-et-Loire, France:

With seven floors, this is the tallest castle in France which includes 204 rooms, numerous portrait galleries, and a private opera house which seats 200. Built in the 11th century, King Louis XIII stopped by for a couple of nights in 1620. The most active ghost is La Dame Verte (Green Lady), who was apparently the illegitimate child of King Charles VII.

In 1477 her husband discovered her having an affair with her huntsman and he murdered them both. She is often seen in the tower room of the chapel, wearing a green dress, with gaping holes where her eyes and nose should be.

When not startling guests by her appearance she can be heard moaning around the castle. https://brissac.net/

Monte Cristo Homestead, NSW, Australia: Reputedly Australia’s most haunted house, the late Victorian mansion was built by Christopher Crawley in 1876.

Today it’s supposed to be haunted by at least 10 different ghosts, including a young child who was dropped down the stairs, a maid who fell from a balcony, and a stable boy who burned to death. People have reported feeling ice-cold tiny hands slipping into theirs when they climb the stairs. Dismembered whispers, unexplained mists, lights going off and on, and feelings of nausea have all been reported.

Some of the ghosts are apparently not fond of birds because chickens and parrots belonging to the current owners have been found strangled to death. https://www.facebook.com/MonteCristoHomestead/services

The Queen Mary – Long Beach, California, USA:

The Queen Mary Hotel is a former ocean liner, launched in 1937, that sailed primarily between the UK and New York up until the mid-1960’s. During World War II it was converted into a troop carrier and holds the record for carrying the most people on a single voyage. During a wartime crossing the ship was filled with 16,683 souls.

Since the 1970’s, the liner has been permanently docked and run as a hotel in Long Beach, California. It’s regarded as one of the most haunted hotels in America and the ship has so many haunted areas that it’s hard to know where to start. Two women drowned in the First Class Swimming Pool in the 1930's and 1960's,

and their ghosts have been seen in the pool dressing rooms on numerous occasions. The figure of a woman in white has been seen in the Queen’s Salon. A gentleman in a formal 1930’s suit has been seen in the First Class Suites. Ghosts of two children have been seen and heard running down the hallways. One of the cabins on the ship is no longer available for rent due to so many complaints of paranormal happenings from guests and staff. https://queenmary.com/

Lawang Sewu, Semarang, Indonesia: Located in the city of Semarang, on the Indonesian island of Java, this beautiful Indonesian landmark, built in 1907, was once home to the Dutch East Indies Railway Company. It’s also considered one of the most haunted places in Indonesia.

Lawang Sewu is the Javanese word for “thousand doors”. During World War II the Japanese turned the building into a prison and torture house. The ghost of a Dutch woman is often seen walking the halls. In the basement people feel queasy and have claimed to see headless ghouls that are unable to find peace. It’s also claimed that the building is haunted by a Kuntilanak or Pontianak.

This is a vampiric creature with long black hair and red eyes that wear white dresses smeared with blood. They are supposed to be able to change themselves into beautiful humans and prey on men and helpless people.

Ancient Ram Inn, Gloucestershire, England: Built in 1145, the inn was used by priests who kept slaves and workers there to help build a nearby church. It’s considered to be the most haunted house in the entire British Isles.

Situated on two ley lines, places believed to be a conductor for spiritual energy, as well as an ancient Pagan burial ground dating back 5,000 years. It’s widely believed that the redirecting of water on the Ancient Ram property caused a portal for dark energy to open, meaning many ghosts haunt the inn. The ‘Witch’s Room’ is said to be haunted by a woman burnt at the stake in the 1500’s.

A druid high priestess has been spotted sitting on a bed, a centurion on horseback has been seen walking through the walls, the agonizing screams of a girl has been heard, and it’s even been reported that a succubus sometimes creeps into the beds of sleeping visitors. https://ancientraminn.co.uk/

Banff Springs Hotel, Alberta, Canada: Now a part of the Fairmont chain of luxury hotels, it was built over 125 years ago in the style of a Scottish baronial castle, this is one of Canada’s great railway hotels and reportedly one of its most haunted buildings.

There are terrifying reports of the ghost of a bride who fell down the staircase who broke her neck after panicking when her dress caught fire. She’s often seen in the ballroom dancing, with flames coming from the back of her dress.

A family was murdered in room 873. The door to this room has since been bricked up, but the family can still be seen in the hallway outside the room. There’s also reports of a former bellman, Sam Macauley, who worked at the hotel in the 60’s and 70’s who still likes to help guest up to their rooms, dressed in his 60’s uniform. If you try to tip him or make conversation, he disappears.

https://www.fairmont.com/banff-springs/

Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan, India: The ruins of a fort city built in the 17th century on the edge of the Sariska Tiger River, Bhangarh Fort consists of fort walls, bazars, havelis, royal palaces, and numerous temples.

But don’t be fooled by the beauty of these ruins as they are ranked the most haunted in India. Legend says there was a wizard called Singhia who created a magic potion to make a princess called Ratnavati fall in love with him. She saw through his plan and smashed the potion against a big rock, which then crushed Singhia. Before he died, he cursed the fort which was attacked a few days later by soldiers of the Mughal Empire who killed everyone inside, including the princess. Today the fort is closed to visitors from 6pm to 6am with locals convinced that anyone who spends the night inside will never be seen again.

People say the dead residents of Bhangarh still live in the city and claim to hear screams, cries, moaning, and the rattling of bracelets after dark. Strange music is often heard along with whispers, strange smells, and shadowy figures moving amongst the ruins.

Hell Fire Club, Montpelier Hill, Ireland: The Hell Fire Club was a hunting lodge, built in 1725 by William Connolly, an Irish parliamentary speaker. Connolly is said to have destroyed the cairn while building the lodge, using one of the grave’s standing stones as decoration for his fireplace. It’s said this angered the spirits and the devil as well. After Conolly’s death, the lodge was sold, and it is said to have become a meeting place for the Irish Hellfire Club.

A club that was founded in 1735 by Richard Parsons – a man known for dabbling in black magic. The secrecy surrounding the club led to speculation that its members were Satanists and Devil-worshippers. The president was named ‘The King of Hell’ and dressed like Satan, with horns, wings, and hooves. The members were also said to set a place at each meeting for the Devil, in the hope that he’d attend.

Tales of animal sacrifice, black masses, cloven-hoofed men, and murder are linked to the structure. The most popular tale tells of a visit by a satanic creature, in the form of a man, who was only discovered when one of the players dropped a card and on picking it up, noticed the guest had cloven feet.

On his discovery, the creature disappeared in a ball of flames. There are stories about a big black cat, the size of a dog, who took on a priest and haunts the lodge. The most regular ghostly visitor is a young lady, believed to have been placed in a barrel, set on fire, and rolled down the hill for fun.

Azemmour City, Morocco: Meaning “wild olive tree”, Azemmour was built by the Portuguese in 1513.

This picturesque city is said to be frequented by a man-hating jinn, or female spirit, named Aisha Kandisha. It’s said she has 35,000 husbands and that she possesses, rapes, or kills men. So, if you happen to be a man, roaming the streets alone in the dark, be careful, you never know when you might stumble on the succubus.

Poveglia Island, Venice, Italy: In the Venice Lagoon between Venice and Lido sits the tiny island of Poveglia.

Inhabited since 421, Poveglia’s population began to dwindle and, in the 14th century Venetians infected by the Bubonic plague were sent there to die – and, when they died, they were burned on giant pyres. The site was used as a mental asylum during the 1800’s with stories of ill-treatment and experimental procedures carried out in the buildings. In 1930 a doctor committed suicide by jumping to his death from the bell tower. The island was completely closed in 1975. The ghosts of patients and victims of disease are said to haunt the island and its buildings.

Ask a local and they will tell you the island is full of ghosts and cursed with unhealthy spirits. Voices and screams are often heard, and visitors reported seeing dark, fleeting shadows. Many visitors say they begin to feel an oppressive evil feeling as soon as they step on the island. Today the island remains totally abandoned and off bounds to most visitors. Even if you were allowed to go to the island, you’d be hard to find someone willing to take you as many locals won’t step foot on Poveglia for fear of being cursed and fisherman refuse to fish in the area, worried they’ll drag up human remains.

Chase Vault, Barbados: The Chase Vault is a burial vault in the cemetery of the Christ Parish Church in Oistins, Christ Church, Barbados known for it “mysterious moving coffins”.

The mystery began on August 9th, 1812, when the vault was opened for the interment of wealthy landowner Colonel Thomas Chase. He was placed in the vault inside a metal coffin, so heavy it took several men to carry it. When the vault was opened, it was noticed that the coffin of Chase’s daughter, already in the vault, was found to have moved from its original location. Believing someone from the island had moved it, it was returned to its original spot and the door to the vault was once again sealed.

In 1816, two more burials took place inside the Chase Vault and again the coffins, even Colonel Chase’s heavy coffin, had moved. Now people started to worry. The seal of the vault had not been broken and inspection of the vault revealed no alternate entrances or secret passageways. People had noticed that horses freaked out when they were near the vault. A woman, who had visited another grave at the Christ Church Cemetery, claimed she had heard terrifying sounds coming from the Chase Vault as she passed it. In 1819 the Governor of Barbados oversaw another burial in the vault and, once again, the coffins had all been moved around the vault.

The Governor affixed his seal to the concrete sealing the entrance so they could tell if someone entered. Sand was also scattered on the floor to capture footprints of whoever was playing tricks on the family.

Just a year later the vault was opened once again. The signet ring seal was still intact. No one had opened the vault from the outside. The men clearly had trouble opening the vault’s door. It was as if something heavy was blocking it. When the door was finally opened, they found that it was the Colonel’s coffin that was blocking the door. And once again, all the coffins were scattered around the vault. Having had enough of these "moving coffins", the family and authorities decided to remove the coffins from the vault and bury them separately.

The vault has been empty ever since.

Dragsholm Slot (Castle), Denmark: Built by the Bishop of Roskilde around 1215, it resembled a fort more than a castle. It’s the oldest castle in Denmark and reportedly the most haunted castle in all of Europe.

The castle is thought to be home to at least 100 ghosts. Psychics and mediums have visited Dragsholm and repeatedly identified four active spirits. The Lingering Bishop whose moaning and wailing has been heard coming from the hallways on the second floor. The Unearthly Earl of Bothwell is a very well-to-do ghost.

The third husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, he was imprisoned at Dragsholm Slot for murder, chained to a pillar and left to die. His ghost appears in the courtyard, sometimes riding a horse-drawn carriage. The White Lady, Celina Bovles, the daughter of a nobleman. Betrothed to a man from another noble family, she fell in love and become pregnant by a commoner. Her father, furious at the loss of prestige, had her chained in the basement and a wall built around her. This story appears to have been corroborated in the 1930s. When work was being done to modernize the plumbing of the castle, a skeleton was discovered behind a wall in the basement. Today, there are reports of the ghost of a lady in white walking the castle and crying for her lover. Occasionally she even wails in agony because she has not found him.

The Gray Lady is supposed to have been a beautiful woman who worked at the castle who died of an infected tooth. Her spirit walks the castle halls looking to do good deeds for those who work and stay in the castle. She’s a happy ghost. https://www.dragsholm-slot.dk/dragsholm-slot/en/

The White House, Washington DC, USA: Perhaps the world’s most famous residence, the home and office of the President of the United States.

It’s been the official residence of every President since 1800 when John Adams first moved in. With all the history and historical figures that have graced its rooms, it’s no wonder that the White House has a tale or two of hauntings. Past presidents, their families, and foreign dignitaries have all attested to the paranormal goings-on at the White House.

Winston Churchill, then Britain’s Prime Minister, was staying as a guest in the Lincoln Bedroom.

He had just finished bathing and walked back into the suite, where he saw Lincoln standing by the fireplace. Churchill refused to sleep in that bedroom again after that. Other people that have said they have seen the ghost of Abraham Lincoln include President’s Teddy Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, and Dwight Eisenhower; First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy and Ladybird Johnson; and presidential children Susan Ford and Maureen Reagan, who witnessed Lincoln standing by the same fireplace where Churchill had once seen him. Also, Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands was staying in the Rose Room when she heard a knock on the door in the middle of the night.

When she answered, she was confronted by the ghost of Abraham Lincoln, standing in the doorway.

President Andrew Jackson

is believed to haunt the Rose Room, with numerous White House employees reportedly hearing his hearty laughter or him in a fit of rage, swearing violently.

The ghost of Abigail Adams (wife of John Adams) has been seen floating through the East Room. This is the room where she used to hang her laundry.

Various other specters have also been seen, including past employees, Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Tyler, First Lady Dolly Madison. Sudden cold spots, disembodied footsteps, voices, knocks, and screams have also been reported at the seemingly very haunted 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our foray into the world of the world beyond. As we delved into these spine-tingling tales from some of the world’s most haunted places, we couldn’t help but reflect on the intriguing relationship between the supernatural and the natural. In a world rife with headlines about worldly horrors, it’s easy to forget the phantoms that quietly inhabit the shadows.

From the ghostly guests of Myrtles Plantation to the spectral bellman of the Banff Springs Hotel, from the Green Lady of Chateau de Brissac to the ethereal shipmates aboard the Queen Mary, our exploration revealed a wide range of spirits, each with its own story to tell. Yet, within these otherworldly encounters lies a peculiar sense of humor that transcends life and death. The White House, with its revolving door of both Presidents and presidential apparitions, showcases how even in the afterlife, history and humor intertwine. After all, Abraham Lincoln, it seems, has turned into the ultimate party crasher.

In a world both known and unknown, these tales serve as a reminder that the supernatural, like the mysteries of our universe, can confound, surprise, and amuse. As our Halloween inspired expedition into the realm of the paranormal comes to a close, we bid you farewell with a thought: as we navigate the ever-evolving tapestry of our existence, we can find some solace in the fact that even in the world beyond our own, a peculiar sense of humor endures.

So, whether you’re a daring ghost hunter or a casual enthusiast, embrace the unknown and the uncanny – for it’s in those hidden dark corners that the inexplicable finds its place in our understanding of the world. Happy hauntings, and remember, if you happen to run into something that goes bump in the night, even ghosts enjoy a good laugh from time to time.

For those who want to do their own ghost hunting, we’ve provided links to websites of the hotels and inns above. Also, here’s a couple of links to some of AirBnB’s most haunted stay opportunities:

https://www.timeout.com/uk/travel/best-haunted-airbnbs-uk (Most haunted AirBnB’s in the UK.)

https://www.timeout.com/usa/travel/haunted-airbnbs-in-usa )Most haunted AirBnB’s in the USA)

Did we miss one of your favorite terrifying places? Let us know in the comments below.

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