With so many of our articles focusing on beautiful beaches and stunning destinations we thought it was time for a different vibe. Consider this our official “maybe stay away from these places or go at your own risk” article. Filled with spooky vibes, curses, ghosts and everything scary, this list is certainly not for the faint of heart. Here are the 5 most terrifying locations ranked on the Scare Factor from 1-5. Travellers… you have been warned.
1. Aradale Mental Hospital, Australia
Perched on what was formerly known as “Mad-Man Hill” this abandoned asylum is one of the most haunted placed in Australia. Built during the 1800s there were approximately 130,000 deaths within Aradale’s walls. The building was uncomfortable, crowded and treatments like electroshock therapy and the lobotomy were performed regularly.
One of the best-known ghosts to roam the halls of this abandoned hospital is that of Nurse Kerry. She is known to haunt the women’s wards. Many report hearing the disembodied click of a women’s high heels throughout the empty ward, as well as the soft sounds of a women’s voice, something that Kerry was known for in life. However not every ghost is nice; many encountered dark shadows throughout the asylum and report been bitten, scratched and pushed within the Male’s Wing. This seems fitting given that this would have been the area where the most dangerous patients were kept.
The scariest part? Many complaint of dizziness, nausea or headaches throughout the place. It is not a surprise with so much activity we are giving this place a pretty high score. Rating: 4/5 in the scare factor.
2. Poveglia Island, Italy
Known as the most haunted island in the world, Poveglia sits just off the coast of northern Italy, near Venice. The 17-acre island became a dumping ground for Europeans dying of the plague. And as the rumors have it, the ghosts of the plagued still haunt the island.
Things took a turn for the lighter in 1922 when a hospital for the elderly—thought to be a cover for mental institution—was opened. Cue widely spread rumors of botched lobotomies and a doctor who threw himself to his death from a hospital tower. No doubt a side-effect of getting haunted by the patients he was maimed. It is so scary that the locals have a saying stating “When an evil man dies, he wakes up in Poveglia”.
The worse part? people have heard screams, seen human bones wash up onshore, and the soil is said to be composed of 50% human ash. Rating: 5/5 in the scare factor
3. Forbidden City, China
Do you know how they say “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”? Well, we can’t imagine there will be many female ghosts that aren’t scored in this place. The beautiful, sprawling Forbidden City in Beijing is made up of 980 buildings on 180 acres. Known as one of China’s best-known landmarks it is rumoured to house thousands of ghost within its walls.
In 1421, Emperor Yongle ordered nearly 3,000 ladies-in-waiting associated with his harem, all of whom lived in the Forbidden City, to be slaughtered, because he thought that a beloved concubine had been poisoned. He spared some of his favourites in the harem, but on the day of his funeral, 16 courtesans were hung with nooses of white silk. Today, in the Forbidden City, a lady with black hair has been seen running from a ghostly soldier; sounds of screaming, weeping, and sword-fighting have been heard; and spectres of dead bodies, pools of blood, and pieces of white silk have been glimpsed. We think that there is a lot of scared and hurt ghosts in this place; however, we can’t help but fear those that are just angry and thirsty for blood.
Rating: 3.5/5 in the scare factor
4. Paris Catacombs, France
Buried underneath the streets of Paris lies the Paris Catacombs, housing the bones of over 6 million people. Created due to a shortage of burial space in the city, the Paris Catacombs is as scary as it comes. The legend says that if you are inside of the Paris Catacombs after midnight, the walls begin to speak. Disembodied voices will try to persuade you to venture deeper and deeper into the Catacombs until you can’t find your way out.
Perhaps the scariest story surrounding this place happened in 2004.
A group of police officers were exploring a part of the Paris Catacombs restricted from public access when they uncovered a very strange thing.
First, they saw a PA system with pre-recorded barking noises playing. Then, they found a 3,000 square foot gallery. This place had everything from a bar, living area, workshop, lounge and even a cinema with room to seat 20 people.
The cinema seats had been carved into the stones of the Catacombs. The creepiest part was, they saw cameras on the ceilings recording them.
The police squad went back to the area a few days later with a larger team to further investigate. Everything they had discovered, from the phone lines to the Paris Catacombs cinema, had vanished.
The only thing they found? A note that read: “Ne cherchez pas,” meaning, “don’t search.”
What goes in in this underground cementary? Only the undead habitants know…
Rating: 5/5 in the scare factor
5. Doll Island/ La Isla de Las Muñecas, Mexico
Just south of Mexico City, between the canals of Xochimico you can find a small island with a sad background which never intended to be a tourist destination. The island was originally dedicated to the lost soul of a poor girl who met her fate too soon.
The area is home to hundreds of terrifying dolls. Their severed limbs, decapitated heads, and blank eyes adorn trees. These dolls are said to be threatening even in the bright light of midday. Nevertheless, in the dark, they fully show their disturbingly evil side.
Local legend says that the dolls move their heads and arms and even opened their eyes. Some witnesses claim they have heard the dolls whispering to each other, while others who were on a boat near the island said the dolls lured them to come down to the island. Locals warn everything to stay as far away from this cursed site as humanly possible, and specially, never to stay the night in the island.
Rating: 5/5 in the scare factor
Conclusion:
As we wrap up this short list we have shivers running down our spine. It is eerie to imagine visiting any of these places. In fact the idea of travelling to places filled with more undead guests than alive ones, just boggles our mind. Nevertheless, for those made of braver material, we suggest thinking twice before visiting.