The Seven Most Haunted Locations In Southern Europe

Todd Neikirk
Photo Credit: 1. Leandro Neumann Ciuffo / Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0 2. Canva
Photo Credit: 1. Leandro Neumann Ciuffo / Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0 2. Canva

The countries making up Southern Europe are among the oldest in the world. As a result, they have plenty of history, some of which involves ghost stories and unsolved mysteries. The following are some of the spookiest locations in the region.

Haunted House – Škrinjari, Croatia

Most countries have their share of haunted houses, but one located in Škrinjari, Croatia takes the phenomenon to the next level. The home has been unoccupied since the 1990s, when the family that built it left the premises. It’s been on the market since 1997 – for very cheaply, might we add – but no one is willing to take the chance.

The legend surrounding the residence states that a little girl drowned on the property and haunts the site. There are also rumors that whoever can spend a full night there may take possession of the house, but all those who have tried have come away terrified and shaken by the experience.

Bran Castle – Bran, Transylvania

Exterior of Bran Castle
Bran Castle was once home to Vlad the Impaler. (Photo Credit: Bildagentur-online / Universal Images Group / Getty Images)

Bran Castle was once the homestead of 15th century ruler Vlad the Impaler. Since his death in the mid-1470s, he’s become something of a mythic figure and is commonly associated with vampires. It’s for this reason that Bran Castle is among the most popular tourist attractions in all of Europe.

Palazzo Dario – Venice, Italy

Exterior of the Palazzo Dario
Venice’s Palazzo Dario has been nicknamed the “House That Kills.” (Photo Credit: Iain99 / Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)

Most visitors to Venice don’t travel to the city to see haunted spaces. They go for the Grand Canal, to take in the incredible architecture and eat some of the most amazing food in Italy. While there, however, they may want to visit the Palazzo Dario. The beautiful property was once the muse of impressionist Claude Monet, and it has an eerie history.

Many inhabitants of the waterfront estate have died under unusual circumstances. As such, the building has been nicknamed the “House That Kills.” Tourists can take a waterbus there if they want to check it out.

Corinaldo, Italy

Exterior of a castle in Corinaldo, Italy
Corinaldo, Italy is home to both wonderful architecture and a yearly Halloween festival. (Photo Credit: DeAgostini / Getty Images)

Corinaldo is a very old town in Italy with plenty to offer. The settlement is dotted with vineyards, and features a number of museums and incredible examples of medieval architecture. As a result, it’s been voted among the country’s most beautiful places.

Corinaldo also has a spooky side. Many of its residents consider themselves to be descendants of witches and still practice witchcraft. Each year, the town celebrates a Halloween festival, in which witches play a prominent role.

Mdina, Malta

Tourists walking across a cement bridge
The city of Mdina, Malta is haunted by a ghost named Katerina. (Photo Credit: Peter Thompson / Heritage Images / Getty Images)

Mdina, founded in the eighth century, is one of the most important cities in Malta. It’s home to the country’s religious and political authorities, and visitors love to check out the centuries-old architecture.

The ancient location also features a famous ghost named Katerina. According to legend, she killed a knight who attacked her, and moments before her execution was able to marry her true love. It’s said that she haunts the town and tells broken-hearted men to join her in the embrace of death.

Well of Souls – Kifissia, Greece

Taxis parked outside an HSBC location
The Well of Souls is a scary landmark in Kifissia, Greece. (Photo Credit: C. Messier / Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0)

Millions of tourists flock to Greece each year. The nation is known for its incredible history, scenery, food and weather. Athens is, of course, a popular destination, and within the city lays Kifissia.

The neigborhood features a sealed well with strange markings all over it. Legend claims it contains the souls of dead people who were not able to reach the afterlife, and that they haunt those who pass nearby at night.

Đavolja Varoš – Kuršumlija, Serbia

View of Đavolja Varoš
The petrified rock formations in Kuršumlija, Serbia have an interesting backstory. (Photo Credit: Dino Dimov / Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Kuršumlija, Serbia is a small town that was established by the ancient Romans centuries ago. There are two things that bring tourists to the area: a number of springs where water is bottled and Đavolja Varoš – better known as Devil’s Town.

The strange rock formation resembles revelers at a wedding. According to legend, they were tricked by the devil to drink water, which petrified them where they stood. A fairy then came and turned everyone to stone.

toddneikirk

Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history.

When he is not sitting in front of a laptop, Todd enjoys soaking up everything the Jersey Shore has to offer with his wife, two sons and American Foxhound, Wally.