“Straight out of a fairy tale” brings to mind images of stone bridges, forest floors carpeted with flowers, and canals carving through villages—but don’t forget that every tale has a dark side, too. These stories are not complete without villains, and their lairs of evil. Sleeping Beauty would not be the same without Maleficent’s Castle. It’s only natural that castles in real life have an air that is mysterious, and that many of them have paranormal stories that add to their appeal. There are axe-wielding ghosts, haunted ballrooms and dungeons. So many dungeons.
Here, we’ve rounded up haunted castles around the world that are worth visiting—even if you aren’t a believer in the supernatural. They may have poltergeists, but they also showcase New Zealand’s rich history and feature stunning architecture. RomaniaHawaii and more. Ghosts served with Romanesque arches. Sign us up.
This article has been revised since it was first published.
