Top 5 Scariest/ Most Haunted Places in the World
Are you
sceptical about the supernatural? Let's face it, we all love a well concocted
ghost story, but when it comes to hard evidence, most of us are inclined to
believe that photos are little more than cleverly articulated fakes produced by
Photoshop junkies. Or are they? From the stately halls of the White House in
Washington DC to the labyrinthine corridors of Hampton Court Palace, England,
there have been no end of spine-chilling accounts and photographs that could
lend credence to the existence of restless spirits. But, while they may harbour
the ghosts of more prominent historical characters, these fascinating old
buildings have nothing on some of the more obscure haunted properties across
the globe. Still don't believe in ghosts? We dare you to spend the night in one
of our top five picks!
Waverly Hills Sanatorium
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Constructed
in 1926, the eerie Gothic Sanatorium at Louisville was originally built to
house patients during the mid-20's tuberculosis epidemic, and allegedly saw as
many as 40,000 deaths in its 20 year history. Unfortunately for its residents,
Waverly Hills was also one of the few places in America earmarked as a research
facility; it's patients subsequently becoming guinea pigs for a host of painful
experimental procedures that often resulted in scarring and disfigurement. Avid
ghost hunters report of hearing the screams of former patients echoing along
the corridors at dusk, coupled with grisly sightings of disfigured entities
roaming the many empty rooms. The 'Death Chute', an underground tunnel once
used to ferry bodies to a waiting hearse beyond the grounds, has become one of
the main attractions of the Sanatorium and a popular place to spend the night!
Fort Bangharh
Rajasthan, India
Once the
crowning glory of a flourishing Persian kingdom, the crumbling 14th
Century fortress of Bangharh lies abandoned and forgotten in a wilderness that
few will dare to travel across after dark. Legend has it that, after being
spurned several times by Queen Ratnavali, the wicked sorcerer Sevra Singh
imposed a dark curse on the city and its inhabitants, swearing death upon any
who did not flee. The ensuing year saw the queen and many of her people perish
whilst fighting invading forces from Ajabgarh – forces allegedly sent by Sevra
to destroy Bangharh forever.
Whether or
not the legend of Queen Ratnavali's demise is true, there's something about
Bangharh that causes people to steer well clear. Visitors have reported an
uneasiness when entering the main complex, accompanied by feelings of severe
nausea, dizziness and being watched. Strange sightings, shifting brickwork and
collapsing roofs in neighbouring properties have all been attributed to the
Bangharh curse, prompting authorities to impose a strict ban on entry after
nightfall!
The Skirrid Inn
Llanfihangel
Crucorney, Wales
With its quaint lead panelled windows and old world charm, The Skirrid
Mountain Inn at Llanfihangel Crucorney looks like a warm,
inviting place to grab a pint on a Sunday afternoon. But it's after dark that
visitors should beware, for this is when the Skirrid Inn's other regulars are
prone to making their presence felt. According to locals, the Skirrid Inn was
formerly a courthouse in which as many as 180 people were hanged during the 19th
Century – perhaps some explanation for the strangling sensation many visitors
have felt when passing the main staircase. Guests have also reported glasses
flying from shelves of their own accord, faces peering out from the upper floor
windows and dark orbs floating past their beds in the dead of night. Such is
the level of paranormal activity at the Skirrid Inn, it has fast gained rank as
one of the most haunted places anywhere in Britain!
The Whaley
House
San Diego,
California, USA
The
troubles started at Whaley House when entrepreneur Thomas Whaley came to town
in 1857, and subsequently built his house upon the site where boat thief Yankee
Jim had been hanged just a year before. Following the death of their son Thomas
at 18 months and their store being targeted by arsonists, the family vacated to
San Francisco in an attempt to put an end to their run of bad luck. Sadly the
pull of the house was too strong and the family returned to take up residence
in 1868 in the hope of a fresh start. A fatal accident involving their
daughter's playmate beside the swimming pool, and subsequent suicide of their
own daughter Violet in 1885 would prove them wrong.
The
strong odours of perfume and cigar smoke reported by visitors would suggest the
family are still in residence at Whaley House. Apparitions matching the
descriptions of both Anna and Thomas Whaley have been sighted in the former
living room, and at one of the windows upstairs. Visitors have also reported
seeing an extremely life-like little girl with red hair playing on the
verandah, and the heavy footfalls of Yankee Jim on the stairs.
Monte Cristo
Homestead
Junee, New
South Wales, Australia
With
its beautiful iron-work verandah and stunning rural aspect, the historic Junee
manor house has long been a place of fascination for visitors. But, the real
attractions of Monte Cristo are the countless spirits who are still in
residence, including the young maid who was pushed from the upper balcony, the
caretaker mortally wounded by a 'Psycho' fanatic, and Harold Steele, the mentally
disabled son of the housekeeper who was chained to a chair for over forty
years. Residents nearby reckon you can still hear his anguished cries by night
as he howls for his mother to return.
Mrs
Crawley, the mistress of the house is a particularly active spirit, and on more
than one occasion has been heard yelling at visitors to leave her house.
Although chilling, her apparition has nothing on the entities who prefer to
remain out of sight, such as the faceless ghost in the Boy's Room, and the animal-hating
demon which allegedly mutilated an entire litter of kittens in 1981.
Could
this be the most haunted house in the world? There's only one way to find out!