Labor Day is next week, meaning it’s now fall, meaning it’s the spooky season! Although, this year’s been chock full of horrors right from the start. But now we can all pretend to be scared about things that won’t phase us at all. Ghosts? Poltergeists? Angry, unmasked Karens are the only thing making anyone’s blood run cold this fall. But, if you’re craving some good old-fashioned jump-scares, try visiting these five super-haunted places worldwide.
5 Most Haunted Places in the World
Aradale Asylum
Victoria, Australia
This psychiatric hospital operated for 126 years until 1993, housing Victoria’s mentally ill. During the height of its operation, the building was home to over 1000 patients. Aradale is just one of 65 buildings in this “city within a city.” The entire property spans well over 600 acres. During one of the two-hour tours offered to the public, you explore the Ararat Hospital’s wards and treatment halls. You can also visit J Ward, which housed the criminally insane. Ghost tours visit the gallows and gravesites for a real spooky experience.
The Portland Underground
Oregon, United States
For almost a century, Portland, Oregon, was the site of human trafficking. Saloon-owners outfitted their Portland operations with trapdoors, making it easy for them to seize drunk men in the bars and drop them into the Portland Underground. They then drugged the men and sold them as unpaid labor to ships. Ghost tours participants get a flashlight before descending into the underground network where ghosts of dead victims haunt the passages. Men who survived often worked for years as captives on ships, sometimes making their way back home.
Poveglia Island
Venice, Italy
This island is even more spooky thanks to the events of this year. It’s the place where the term “quarantine” originated. Venice forced incoming ships to dock on Poveglia Island for 40 days to prove they didn’t carry the plague. Consequentially, the island was the last resting place for over 160,000 people. Rumor says human remains make up over half the island. Although the island’s closed to the public, five ghost-hunting Americans attempted to spend the night in 2016. They called for a midnight rescue, claiming harassment by malicious spirits.
The Ancient Ram Inn
Gloucestershire, England
Built on top of a pagan ritual ground in the 12th century, guests now stay in Wotton-under-Edge’s haunted inn to experience the paranormal phenomenon. Legend states devil-worshipping pagans once sacrificed children on the site. Now, visitors claim to hear screams and babies crying, feel invisible hands pushing them, and even see mist ascending the staircase.
Burg Wolfsegg
Wolfsegg, Germany
Ulrich Von Laaber built this castle in the 13th century to act as a stronghold in the area. War took him from home, leaving his young, beautiful wife a little bored. When her distractions included an affair, Laaber had her killed. It’s now her spirit, the White Woman, who haunts the castle’s hall. Rumor has it there’s a mysterious hole in the woods filled with the bones of Von Laaber and his sons. Still, the hole remains hidden in the forest while the castle’s open for public tours.