The world is full of mysterious places. Places that defy the laws of physics and make you wonder if they are real or not.
In some of them, no one has set foot before or been able to explore them to all the extent to determine what lies deep in them (and ‘deep’ is usually accurate for some of those places).
Meanwhile, others have been quite popular for years despite how mysterious and dangerous they can be.
After all, let’s face it, people love adrenaline, and even if you don’t share the enthusiasm of visiting any of them, you’re here for a reason. The question is: is it mere curiosity or planning your next mystery trip?
Whatever it is, we want to make sure you’re at least a bit prepared for what to expect from those places and help you bring up a ranking of the ones you should either avoid or definitely include in your booking list (if you dare)
In this article, we will show you the most mysterious places in the world that will leave your jaw hanging open in disbelief! Keep in mind there’s no particular order for this top.
The Bermuda Triangle, Atlantic Ocean
Classic yet very crucial to mention.
The Bermuda Triangle has been a mystery for decades (since 1950, to be more specific).
During all these decades, stories of missing mariners, disappeared ships, crash aircraft, and even disappearing humans have emerged from the waters around the Bermuda Triangle.
It covers an area of over half a million miles and is known as The Devil’s Triangle after all the occurrences that scare any person who needs to get close to it.
However, is there an explanation for this abnormality? We would say that instead of one, there are many theories about why so many people fall prey to its traps.
Some believe magnetic anomalies can throw compasses off course, while others think tropical cyclones may be blamed. Others still claim there is no mystery and can be explained with science (if possible and a bit safe to be in the area).
The craziest theories include paranormal activity and ghost tales about lost mariners taking revenge on anyone who crosses the triangle. Of course, not many believe it, but with the lack of ways to explain what happens, everything is welcomed as a theory.
The triangle’s boundaries were delineated in the Gaddis Argosy article based on its vertices: Miami; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Bermuda.
However, there’s no specific or official definition of its limits.
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia
If you mention a penitentiary, we kind of know what to expect from this adventure if we even decide to take it.
All over history, those places have been the epitome of terror for many movies, and for very good reasons.
Considering the loss of many lives, tragedies surrounding the people who worked there, and other tales and stories, we can’t find ourselves not being afraid of any of them. And believe us or not, the abandoned ones scare us the most.
The Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia is a good example of why you need to be scared.
Before turning into a mysterious place that many decide to visit every year, it was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world.
What about now? It is known as a haunting world with uncountable cellblocks that invite you to have the scare of your life during the day or, even better, at night.
When it was built in 1829, the castle-like Eastern State Penitentiary elevated solitary confinement.
Prisoners were confined to their cells alone and could exercise, eat, and live alone. In other words, none of them had company even during the activities we all know prisoners share nowadays.
A guard would cover an inmate’s head, leaving his cell with a hood so that he could not see where he was going.
Due to overcrowding, the prison had to give up its solitary system in 1913. However, some forms of punishment (e.g., chaining an inmate’s tongue to their wrists) were not less severe before it was closed in 1970.
Torture has always been one of the strongest points in bringing up paranormal activities or events, and the penitentiary is not excent in this. Many have been reported, including disembodied laughter, shady characters, and pacing steps.
Some people even claim to see some prisoners in cells while visiting during nighttime hours.
Alcatraz, San Francisco, California
What’s better than a prison with paranormal activities included (like most abandoned ones)? One that can also offer you an unsolved mystery when it was still working.
Alcatraz Island has become one of the most famous places globally and is known as a mystery for anyone since the prison escape of over 55 years ago remains as one.
This place was a federal penitentiary that lasted nearly 30 years.
There were 36 escape attempts during this time: 23 were captured, six were shot and killed, and two were drowned.
However, the escape’s mystery includes those three men: brothers John and Clarence Anglin and Frank Morris, none of them were found.
Visitors love having a trip to the penitentiary in order to have a look at one of the most haunted places in the world, considering its history. However, the most prominent part of the prison is the cell in which the bank robbers started their plot, which is among cells usually off-limits to the public and is about the same size as a pool table.
The three decided to leave on the night of June 11, 1962. After climbing through the cement wall, the three climbed up pipes and plumbing to reach the roof.
They found it at the north end of the prison and used the smokestacks to slide down to the ground.
The inmates used fifty raincoats to build a raft, paddle away, and no one knows if it made it to shore.
The escape materials were built in a secret workshop that they set up above their cells. A portion of the raft and some paddle-shaped pieces of wood were found washed up on Angel Island.
The Banff Springs Hotel, Canada
Spooky stories and ghost tales are familiar for people in Canada (no offense intended), and if there’s one place that brings them to light the most, that is definitely this famous (or infamous) hotel.
It is believed to be home to many mysterious happenings and ghost appearances you might want or not to occur to you.
Now, what are the most famous stories surrounding this stunning place? Because, yes, it is beautiful and makes you want to visit it unless you’re weak at heart and discover how terrific it can be.
Going back to stories, locals have heard of a family who was brutally murdered in room 873. Some others talk about reappearing doormen that vanish into thin air.
However, if you believe you can handle the supernatural, you are in for a treat since we highly recommend visit the place at least for a short holiday.
The elegant hotel is infused with Scottish Baronial style and is surrounded by the fir-dressed Canadian Rockies. It also offers easy access to the famous ski fields of Jasper and Banff.
Since it was built in 1888 to promote tourism and sell tickets for trains, you can expect it to be stunning inside and out.
We must admit that it gets even more gothic when you enter compared to its surroundings, and that’s not just because of the architecture.
Continuing with the stories, The Calgary Herald has reported several resident ghosts, including a bride who supposedly fell down the stone staircase during her wedding.
There’s also a less tragic ghost: Sam, the bellman, worked at the hotel till 1975, and it is claimed that he had returned to haunt it. Before disappearing, his spirit is said to have worked shifts helping people carry their bags.
Chateau de Brissac, France
The Chateau de Brissac has towers majestically over its vast estate that stretches into a landscape of rolling hills and forest foliage.
The impressive structure has a remarkable history and has belonged to the Cosse family for five centuries.
The 13th Duke of Brissac currently lives in the building. He cares for this extraordinary heritage by maintaining a luxurious interior with period tapestries and gold leaf.
The Chateau de Brissac, which has over seven floors, is France’s tallest chateau and is also known as the “Giant of the Loire Valley.” Rene de Cosse was the first Lord of Brissac to purchase it in 1502. It is a magnificent piece of heritage, which is cared for by the Brissac family with passion and drive.
It is also home to “The Green Lady,” aka Charlotte the Ghost.
The chateau’s website tells the legend of Charlotte, the illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII, who her husband murdered after he discovered her having an affair.
The Green Lady, named for the color of the dress she wore when she died, can be seen wandering around the chapel’s tower room moaning into the early hours of the morning.
Besides being beautiful, many visit it to taste paranormal activity and see if they’re lucky to meet the lady.
Many also argue (despite these rumors not being confirmed) that the chateau is the place for many other ghosts of people that have died over the years. Some mention it has a scary background that the family has hidden for centuries.
However, those tend to be people trying to make the place more mysterious than it actually is in general.
La Recoleta Cemetery, Argentina
Located in Buenos Aires, it is home to the graves of many notable people, such as Eva Perón (former President of Argentina), Nobel Prize Winners, the founder of the Argentine Navy, and one of Napoleon’s granddaughters.
The BBC named it one of the best cemeteries in the country, and CNN listed it as one of the top 10 most beautiful cemeteries worldwide.
However, if it is such a beautiful place, how can we include it as part of the most mysterious ones? Well, being a cemetery explains over 50% of our reasons.
If you think about it, what isn’t bound to happen in those places? Ghosts aren’t uncommon, and the ambiance is more than perfect for giving you, several spooks.
People will always focus on the previous features and elements whenever someone talks about this place, which features thousands of statues, mausoleums, fairytale grottoes, and intricate tombstones.
But if you ask us, we’re more focused on Recoleta being home to a few haunted legends thanks to its stone walkways and mausoleum labyrinths.
David Alleno was a former grave-digger, caretaker and worked there for over 30 years before committing suicide.
People report hearing Alleno’s keys clicking as his ghost walks along the pathways at dawn.
Of course, many people have claimed to have seen important figures like the former president herself and having some ghostly encounters with figures they don’t even recognize (not like you have to know them).
St. Augustine Lighthouse, Florida
The St. Augustine Lighthouse attracts nearly 200,000 visitors annually.
However, is it popular for its stunning architecture or its unusual visitors?
If there are something people that have heard about the lighthouse know is that it ranks as one of the most haunted places in America, and for good reasons.
Much paranormal activity has taken place in the structure, and the entire area surrounding the lighthouse is usually attributed to several tragic incidents at the site.
It has been reported that the ghost of a lighthouse keeper who was painting the tower and died in the fall has been observed watching over the grounds.
The horrific death of three young girls back in the 1870s, who drowned when the cart they were playing in broke and fell into the ocean, also brought many rumors about hearing the sounds of children playing in and around the lighthouse.
The lighthouse grounds and adjacent maritime museum are open to the public. Family-friendly activities include playgrounds and children’s exhibits.
Ghost tours are available at the landmark. A ghost tour is the best choice for those who want to explore the lighthouse after dark if you’re into experiencing the paranormal activity yourself.
The St. Augustine Lighthouse was visited in 2019 by the cast and crew of the paranormal investigation program “Ghost Hunters.”
The episode provides an inside look at the landmark at night, including the famous shadow figure tourists, have reported seeing.
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified locations in Europe. It has a rich history of being a royal residence as well as a military garrison, prison, and fortress.
There are many fascinating stories to be told and definitely a place where you can follow the footsteps of soldiers and kings, and maybe even a pirate.
Keep in mind that this is one of the biggest and most famous attractions in Scotland’s capital city. However, it is also considered one of its most haunted (if not the top 1).
The castle has sections over 900 years old, and many visitors have reported seeing colonial prisoners from America’s Revolutionary War and French prisoners from the Seven Years War.
Now, does this reduce to the castle? As much as we would like to say “yes” (though, not really), Edinburgh is one of Europe’s most haunted places, but most stories are set in the castle.
One tale tells of a piper who haunts hidden tunnels running from Edinburgh Castle to the Royal Mile. A piper explored the tunnels when they have discovered hundreds of years ago.
He played music on his bagpipes as he navigated the tunnels, so the people above could feel where he was. The music stopped halfway down the Royal Mile, where the piper disappeared, and a rescue team tried to find him.
The ghost of the piper is believed to still haunt the tunnels. Sometimes, you can still hear his music in castles or streets where the tunnels are located.
As for the castle in specific, the truth is that the right question to ask isn’t “what will I see there?” Instead, you should focus on “what won’t I see there?”
Raynham Hall, England
Raynham Hall, a sprawling estate of 7000 acres located in Norfolk, was built in the 1620s.
Like most historic buildings, there are many legends and ghost stories about the property, including one about Lady Dorothy (“Dolly”) Townshend.
Dolly was the wife to Viscount “Turnip” Townshend. They lived at Raynham Hall in the 18th century.
Dolly was, according to some reports, locked in the house by her husband. According to a photo taken in the 1930s, the ghost of Dolly is said to haunt the estate.
Lord Charles Raynham, the home’s current resident, has stated that no one has proven the photo to be fake.
Now, if you’re not familiar with the name “Dolly,” you probably know about “The Brown Lady.” This is the name given to her ghost over the years, and just like other similar ghosts related to women from this century, it was given based on the brown brocade dress she presumptively wore before dying.
If you’re not convinced about visiting the place for a ghost alone, you might be surprised that many people consider many others surround the place, including its current owner.
However, not many have been proven like Dolly’s ghost, but if you want a fantastic holiday with spirits and an incredible view, you can give it a try.
The Forbidden City in Beijing, China
No trip to Beijing is complete without a visit to the Forbidden City, China’s former imperial palace that now serves as a museum.
You might not be aware that this popular tourist spot has a great reputation among supernatural lovers.
The complex was home to 600 murders during its time as a palace. These included poisoning concubines by some others that were very jealous and executions at the orders of the Emperor.
There have been numerous reports of bizarre phenomena since the palace was opened to the public in the 1940s.
Many familiar tales involve white-clad women walking around the grounds sobbing. As generic as this sounds, Beijing overall is a city with paranormal activity.
The long-gone concubines are known for stalking the city even outside the palace, while evil spirits are commonly associated with the subway line 1.
Other stories surrounding the palace include emperors fighting over the crown, although long since those times.
Others, well, they usually sound a bit ridiculous more than scary or mysterious.
The Paris Catacombs, France
Let’s face it, millions of bodies, and you expect it not to be haunted? That’s the joke of the day.
Many legends surround this catacomb; some of them considered myths more than real-life stories. However, who are we to know if some of them are real or not?
A torrential downpour in spring 1780 flooded the Les Innocents cemetery, which was overcrowded.
In the aftermath, a flood of rotting bodies landed on the property next to it. Smithsonian Mag reports that this horrific event triggered a 12-year-long project to transport bodies from Paris’s cemeteries into the city’s old limestone quarries.
The tunnels were eventually filled with 6 million bodies. Today, about a mile of the underground labyrinth is open to visitors, who can take tours of the tunnels and artfully arranged displays of bones.
But what stories and legends surround this mysterious place?
“The Uncovered Video Camera” is one of the catacomb’s most famous (and creepiest) legends.
It follows a group of cataphiles (people who regularly study and explore Paris Catacombs) who were seen walking through the darkened chambers of the cemetery in the 1990s.
A video camera was found on the ground during their journey, and the footage was captured by the camera, which surprised them since as soon as the group began to play the record, they heard disturbing sounds as they viewed the footage.
The man who was holding the camera realized he was lost and didn’t know how to escape. The audience clearly sees that the man is mad in the underground tunnel network.
The video abruptly ends with the man dropping his camera to the ground. No one knows the identity of this man or whether he survived.
Other stories tell about the walls starting to speak if you stay in the catacombs after midnight. The voices will encourage you to go deeper into the tunnels until you cannot find your way out.
We can keep going with stories for hours, and this wouldn’t be enough to tell all the stories people have come up with or were born from real experiences.
Ancient Ram Inn, England
If you want a ghost adventure, this inn in England has a lot to offer.
It was built in 1145, and since then, it has received many guests. Starting with former priests, masons and slaves, to then be a public house.
The building is the oldest one in Wotton-Under-Edge, a land known for its own paranormal activity besides the inn itself.
Now, is this a place to truly be scared about?
Many guests have reportedly tried (and do it) to escape through the windows due to scary encounters with ghosts and presumptively violent paranormal entities.
Ghostly children, a high priestess, and even an incubus can be found wandering the halls. Is this real? That’s the question many guests wondered about, and many regretted their visit depending on how they see it.
Did they enjoy their paranormal adventure, or was it a disappointment? The first option is what over 90% of people are inclined to mention.
Although it has been renovated over the years, the place remains very basic to maintain its structure.
If you love the old style, you will love the place, and even ten times more if you are up for the challenge of enjoying the ghost’s visitors you will have all day (no, not only at night).
The Langham Hotel, England
London is full of haunted hotels, so you better watch where you are staying when visiting the city.
However, if you’re looking for the opposite and want to have a tremendous experience with ghosts that date back decades, you can choose The Langham Hotel.
Ghosts have long been associated with the tony hotel, and it’s thought to house elite spirits such as former resident Emperor Louis Napoleon III that says to remain in the basement.
Some stories and ghosts include a figure in military attire that stands at the fourth-floor window. This man is believed to be the ghost of a German prince who jumped from the window just before starting the first world war.
On the third floor, there is a ghostly butler who still attends to his guests.
There’s also the ghost with the gaping wound on his face who likes to wander the corridors.
The most common ghostly sighting in room 333 is of a Victorian-dressed man that appears during October.
Legend has it that a doctor murdered his wife in the same room and then committed suicide, and since then, he is unable to leave the room and rest in peace.
James Alexander Gordon, a BBC journalist, was staying in the hotel when he woke up one night in October 1973 to find a glowing ball of light transform into the form of a man from whose lower half was missing.
The ghost, dressed in an extravagant Victorian evening gown, hovered above Gordon. Gordon ran out of the room as he opened his arms and walked towards him, and this story has been supported over the years.
The England cricket team was in the news in 2014 after they reported on strange happenings at the hotel.
Some members of the team reported difficulty sleeping in their rooms. Some of their wives refused to stay at the hotel since the rooms were quite hot, and none felt well while residing in their respective areas.
Would We Pay to Visit One of Those Places?
Well, we would take the risk with some of them.
We’re not fans of having ghosts visiting us at midnight or listening to girls crying every night.
However, the beauty of most of those places encourages us to at least give them a short visit. Of course, with many people around us, we would definitely pay for it, but the short answer is yes.
Though, if there’s one place we would love to keep out of our limits, that’s definitely the Catacombs in Paris. Sorry! We’re not into millions of bodies trying to take us with them.
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