Which are the creepiest villages to visit in Europe?

It’s part of Halloween marketing from StressFreeCar Rental.com and it sounds surprisingly stressful, but it also sounds spooky fun.

Which are the creepiest villages to visit in Europe?

Europe is a continent with a rich history and culture, but it also has a dark side. There are many creepy places to visit in Europe, where visitors can learn about the continent’s haunted past and experience paranormal-inspired thrill!

One of the most famous creepy places in Europe is Bran Castle in Romania, also known as Dracula’s Castle. This Gothic castle is said to have been the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, and it is believed to have been inhabited by the real-life Vlad the Impaler, a ruthless prince who was known for his brutality. Visitors to Bran Castle can take a guided tour and learn about its bloody history.

Another creepy place to visit in Europe is Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland. This chapel is said to be home to the Holy Grail and the mummified head of Jesus Christ. There are also many other strange and mysterious symbols and carvings inside the chapel, which have led some people to believe that it is a gateway to the underworld. Visitors to Rosslyn Chapel can take a guided tour and learn about its many secrets.

John Charnock, CEO of StressFreeCarRental.com, told the press;

Those hoping to embrace the supernatural are in luck because there are plenty of creepy villages across Europe to visit.

Countries in Europe have a long and gruesome history, including witch trials, gruesome public executions and plague pits.

From Roslin in Scotland which is said to be home to the mummified head of Jesus Christ, to deadly witch trials in Triora, Italy- many villages have a troubling past.”

StressFreeCarRental’s creepy village list

#1: Bran, Romania

In the heart of Transylvania, nestled atop a rocky hill, stands Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle. Its Gothic towers and imposing walls cast a long shadow over the surrounding countryside, lending an air of mystery and intrigue.

Many believe that this bone-chilling castle, with its secret passages and medieval torture instruments, is home to evil spirits. Myths abound that Dracula, the most infamous vampire, used the castle as his lair to feed on the blood of the innocent.

Some say that the castle is haunted by the ghosts of his victims, their wails echoing through the empty corridors at night. Others claim to have seen Dracula himself lurking in the shadows, his eyes glowing red in the moonlight.

Whether or not the stories are true, Bran Castle remains a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from all over the world eager to experience its dark and atmospheric allure.

#2: Triora, Italy

The village of Triora in northern Italy has a dark and tragic history. In the 16th century, a series of witch trials swept through the village, resulting in the deaths of dozens of women. Over 300 women were accused of witchcraft, and many were subjected to torture and interrogation. Some were forced to confess to crimes they didn’t commit, such as having relationships with the devil, making poisonous potions, and transforming themselves into animals.

The witch trials in Triora were a product of fear and superstition. The villagers were gripped by a belief that witches were responsible for all the misfortunes that befell them, from crop failures to livestock deaths. This paranoia led to a climate of terror and injustice, as innocent women were accused and executed based on flimsy evidence.

Today, Triora is a peaceful village that attracts tourists from all over the world. However, the legacy of the witch trials still lingers. The village has a museum dedicated to the trials, and several walking tours explore the village’s dark past.

#3: Pluckley, England

Pluckley, a picturesque village in Kent, England, has a sinister reputation: it is said to be the most haunted village in Britain. In fact, the Guinness Book of Records once credited Pluckley with this title.

There are rumoured to be at least twelve ghostly inhabitants of Pluckley, including the ghost of a Gypsy woman who drowned in a stream, the hanging body of a schoolmaster, and a lady who haunts the churchyard of St. Nicholas’s Church.

Some visitors to Pluckley have reported hearing strange noises, seeing apparitions, and feeling unexplained chills. Others have even claimed to have been touched or scratched by invisible entities.

#4: Ochate, Spain

The abandoned village of Ochate has had numerous reports of ghostly sightings, said to be a result of three epidemics taking the lives of the villagers. From mysterious lights to eerie voices of women and children telling explorers to “get out,” the village now has a reputation for being cursed.

The abandoned village of Ochate is shrouded in mystery and legend. It is said that three plagues wiped out the entire population, leaving behind the ruins of their homes and a lingering sense of dread. Visitors to the village have reported seeing ghostly apparitions, disembodied voices, and witnessing strange lights. Some even claim that the village is cursed, and that those who stay too long will be met with misfortune.

One of the most common reports from visitors is of seeing mysterious lights emanating from the abandoned houses. These lights are said to be the villagers’ spirits, trapped in the afterlife. Others have reported hearing the eerie voices of women and children whispering, “Kanpora!” (Basque for “Get out!”)

The village’s reputation as a cursed place is further cemented by the story of the shepherd who was murdered there in the 1930s. His ghost is said to roam the village, seeking vengeance.

Despite its eerie reputation, Ochate remains a popular destination for paranormal investigators and thrill-seekers. Those who dare to venture into the village can expect to experience a truly chilling and unforgettable encounter.

#5: Roslin, Scotland

Roslin, a picturesque village in Midlothian, Scotland, is home to the 500-year-old Rosslyn Chapel, a magnificent Gothic structure steeped in mystery and intrigue.

The chapel is rumoured to be haunted by several spirits and is said to contain creepy artefacts, including the original crypt, which has been sealed off for years and is said to house the Holy Grail and the mummified head of Jesus Christ.

Stories abound of ghostly apparitions lurking within the chapel walls, including a knight riding on horseback and a mysterious lady in white.

Whether or not the rumours of hauntings and hidden treasures are true, Rosslyn Chapel remains a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from all over the world eager to experience its unique and enigmatic atmosphere.

#6: Skrinjari, Croatia

Shrouded in a veil of mystery and darkness, Skrinjari, a remote village in Croatia, bears the weight of a macabre past. Whispers of death, murder, and hauntings echo through its cobblestone streets, casting a long shadow over the village’s present.

At the heart of Skrinjari’s dark history lies the abandoned Skrinjari house. Locals whisper that the house is cursed, built on a cemetery and awakening the restless spirits of the dead. A sense of unease permeates the air around the house, and traffic accidents are said to be common there.

Some claim to have seen ghostly figures lurking in the house’s windows or wandering its overgrown grounds. Others have reported hearing strange noises and feeling unexplained chills. Whether or not the stories are true, the Skrinjari house remains a haunting reminder of the village’s dark past.

#7: Tintern, Wales

Tintern’s ancient St. Mary’s Church is rumoured to be haunted by monks and shadowy figures that often appear in the graveyard. Satanic rituals have also been performed in the church ruins, and locals avoid the area due to a pervasive sense of darkness.

Other suggestions

There are plenty of other creepy locations in Europe. Here’s just a few more;

• Hoia Baciu Forest, Romania: This forest is located near the city of Cluj-Napoca. It is also known as the Transylvanian Triangle, and it is known for its strange and unexplained occurrences. Many have reported seeing UFOs, ghosts, and other paranormal phenomena in the forest.
• Catacombs of Paris, France: This underground network of tunnels and chambers is home to the bones of over six million people. The catacombs are dark and damp, and they can be pretty claustrophobic.
• Poveglia Island, Italy: This island is located in the Venetian Lagoon. It was once used as a quarantine island for plague victims, and it is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the dead.
• Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic: This ossuary is in the town of Sedlec. It is decorated with the bones of over 40,000 people, and it is one of the most eerie places in Europe.
• Château de Brissac, France: This castle is located in the Loire Valley. It is said to be haunted by the ghost of the Lady in White, who was murdered by her husband.
• Château Miranda, Belgium: This castle is located in Celles. It was once a beautiful castle, but it is now abandoned and in ruins. The castle is said to be haunted by the ghosts of its former inhabitants.
• Edinburgh Castle, Scotland: This castle is located in the heart of Edinburgh. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland, but it is also said to be one of the most haunted places in the country.
• Moosham Castle, Austria: This castle is located in Burghausen. It was once used as a prison and a torture chamber, and it is said to be haunted by the ghosts of its former inmates.

In Pure Spirit

Which is the creepiest place you’ve been to?