10 of Europe’s Most Haunted Castles: Tales of Curses, Ghosts, and Dark Legends

Europe is home to countless castles steeped in history, mystery, and eerie legends. Among these ancient fortresses, some stand out for their haunted reputations—places where restless spirits, tragic love stories, and chilling curses still seem to linger in the corridors and towers. From France to Ireland, here are 10 of Europe’s most haunted castles and the spine-tingling tales that make them infamous.

1. Blandy Castle | France

Located just an hour from Paris, Blandy Castle dates back to the 13th century and is considered one of France’s most haunted castles. The ghostly tales revolve around Marie d’Harcourt, a beautiful woman who, in 1439, threw herself from the highest tower to escape the clutches of the ruthless murderer Erard de Montargis.

At night, especially around Toussaint (All Saints’ Day), visitors report hearing ghostly cries and chains rattling from underground. The mad lord Erard is said to roam eternally, clad in a blood-stained shroud and wielding a knife, hunting for new victims. Nearby, a cave reputedly harboring all manner of demonic entities adds to the sinister lore.

2. Eltz Castle | Germany

The tragic story of Eltz Castle centers on Agnes, daughter of the 15th Count of Eltz, who was more interested in battle games than suitors. Promised to a knight from Braunsberg, Agnes repeatedly rejected him until, at a banquet, she publicly slapped him.

Humiliated, the knight vanished, and fearing revenge, the family doubled the castle’s guards. When the guards left for a three-day hunt, the knight attacked, killing everyone in his path. Agnes bravely donned her brother’s armor and killed the knight with an arrow. His death revealed a shocking truth—the knight was in love with another woman.

To this day, Agnes’s room is considered the most haunted in the castle. Staff have reported lights flickering, doors opening and closing by themselves, and whispers in the corridors. Some say a medieval knight appears outside the gates, asking for Agnes’s forgiveness.

3. Corvin Castle | Romania

Besides the famous Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle), Corvin Castle is among Romania’s most cursed sites. The curse reportedly stems from three Turkish prisoners held in the dungeon for years. They were promised freedom if they dug their way to water, which they eventually found after 15 years. However, the man who promised freedom died, and his widow broke the vow, imprisoning them again.

One prisoner etched on the wall, “You have water but no soul,” cursing the castle. Visitors have claimed to hear footsteps, see shadows, and feel phantom touches. The castle houses a torture chamber and a bear pit used for executions, and legends say a spy monk was buried alive in its walls, still watching silently.

4. Houska Castle | Czech Republic

Unlike typical castles built for defense, Houska Castle—about 47 km north of Prague—was reportedly constructed to seal off a massive pit believed to be a gateway to hell.

The castle has no traditional fortifications or inhabitants; instead, it contains a huge “hell hole” that was supposedly imprisoning demonic forces. Prisoners were offered pardon if they descended and reported what they saw—one emerged decades older, traumatized. It’s said evil entities remain trapped beneath, and the castle’s purpose was to keep hell sealed from our world.

5. Olavinlinna Castle | Finland

In Savonlinna, Olavinlinna Castle witnessed a heartbreaking tale of love and betrayal. Ingel, the beautiful daughter of the castle’s lord, fell for an enemy soldier. Their secret meetings led to betrayal when she opened the gates to let him in, allowing his troops to attack.

Though the guards thwarted the invasion, Ingel was blamed and burned alive in the courtyard. A rowan tree grew where she died, symbolizing her innocence and bloodied love. Legend says that on full moons, the couple’s ghosts appear on the castle balcony around midnight.

6. Poppi Castle | Italy

Nestled in Tuscany’s Casentino Valley, Poppi Castle is haunted by “Matelda the Seductress.” This woman reportedly tossed her former lovers down a well once she lost interest.

Condemned to the “Devil’s Tower,” her restless spirit allegedly still roams the castle, seeking to seduce unsuspecting young men. Visitors beware—she might be waiting for you!

7. Ruthin Castle | Wales

A chilling revenge story haunts Ruthin Castle. Lady Grey, upon discovering her husband’s infidelity, killed his mistress with an axe and was sentenced to death. Denied burial in consecrated ground, her body was interred outside the castle walls.

Guests and staff have reported sightings of a mad woman wielding an axe wandering the banquet halls and ramparts. Her ghost is said to roam even beyond the castle walls.

8. Amberley Castle | England

Located in West Sussex, Amberley Castle harbors many ghosts. Among them is Emily, a young servant who was abandoned by her bishop lover after becoming pregnant. Unable to bear her suffering, she jumped from the ramparts, her bloodied apparition now said to haunt the castle’s corridors.

Visitors have heard her crying and laughing hysterically at odd hours. The castle’s ditches also echo with footsteps—believed to be the spirits of soldiers who died defending the fortress.

9. Leap Castle | Ireland

Known as Ireland’s most haunted castle, Leap Castle overflows with dark spirits. One is “It,” a small creature with a decayed face that smells of sulfur and rot.

Another is the “Red Lady,” a tall woman in a red silk dress, who was raped and betrayed by her clan. After her child was murdered, she took her own life and now roams the halls wielding a dagger.

The “Bloody Chapel” inside Leap has witnessed many hauntings, including ghostly lights, strange rubbery smells, and the restless spirit of a murdered priest. The castle’s oubliette—a tiny dungeon used to imprison enemies—held gruesome secrets, including mass killings and spirits awakened by the discovery of human remains.

10. Sirok Castle | Hungary

Situated in the Mátra mountains, Sirok Castle is tied to a tragic love story. Seven knights vied for the affection of the young owner, Gizella Kompolti. Only one won her heart, but died in a duel.

In despair, Gizella killed the victor and then threw herself from the castle’s highest tower. Since then, her ghost has been seen leaping from the tower on moonlit nights, dressed in white, accompanied by screams echoing nearby.