Throughout history, people have been drawn to unusual stories, inexplicable events, and dark, mysterious places. Anything that lies beyond the realm of understanding is captivating. Our world is full of mysteries. There are many places on the planet whose existence is hard to believe, and the stories associated with ancient castles and mansions stir the imagination of many generations.
Whale Alley, Russia
Whale Alley on Itigran Island is considered one of the most mysterious places in Chukotka. Along the shoreline, there are neat rows of whale bones driven into the ground. Scientists believe that in the 16th century, this place was created for ritual gatherings of local Eskimo whalers.
flickr / ramarvin
Pidhirtsi Castle, Ukraine
Pidhirtsi Castle, located in the Lviv region, is a striking example of Renaissance architecture.
To get to Pidhirtsi Castle as quickly as possible, you can buy a plane ticket to Lviv, and then take a bus to the village of Pidhirtsi.
The palace's owner, Wacław Rzewuski, was a tyrant and a possessive man. Blinding jealousy made him immure his beloved wife within the walls. It is said that the spirit of the "White Lady" remains unrestful to this day.
flickr / Magnus B
Bran Castle, Romania
Bran Castle, hidden in the dense forests of the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, is a symbol of vampire culture. To reach this vampire lair, you first need to find tickets to Bucharest, and then travel 174 kilometers by bus or car to the town of Bran.
According to legend, this is where Count Vlad Tepes lived and conducted his bloody rituals. Bran Castle is permeated with negative energy and a sinister spirit.
flickr / David Curry
Trolltunga, Norway
The local legend says that the bizarre rocky ledge is the petrified tongue of a giant troll. Sunlight is fatal to these mythical creatures, but our careless troll stuck his tongue out of the cave at dawn, causing it to instantly turn to stone. The most convenient way to reach this famous rock is from the town of Odda.
flickr / Mikeldesigns
Stonehenge, United Kingdom
Any tour of Europe’s mystical sites would be incomplete without mentioning Stonehenge, arguably the most enigmatic structure in the UK and the world. Stonehenge is a circular structure made of massive stone slabs interconnected. For decades, scientists have been trying to solve the mystery of who built Stonehenge and why.
When planning a trip to Stonehenge, you can buy plane tickets to London and then take a tourist bus to the site. The distance from the English capital to Stonehenge is 130 kilometers.
flickr / Pepolino
The Goseck Circle, Germany
The Goseck Circle is an ancient observatory located near the town of Goseck in Germany. The circle represents an earthwork with wooden posts set in the center, resembling gates. It is through these openings that the sun's rays pass during the winter and summer solstices.
flickr / Pierre Lesage
Beelitz-Heilstätten, Germany
The old and abandoned Beelitz-Heilstätten sanatorium might have become one of the forgotten buildings. However, its history is so captivating that it attracts mysticism enthusiasts from all over the world. All you need to do is find tickets to Berlin and drive 40 kilometers by car.
Initially built as a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients, during World War I, the facility expanded and became a hospital for soldiers. Notably, in 1916, an unknown Adolf Hitler was treated here.
flickr / Romany WG
Newgrange, Ireland
The monumental structure of Newgrange is 700 years older than the pyramids! According to legend, it is the sanctuary and home of Dagda, who, according to Celtic beliefs, is the god of the sun and wisdom. It is especially interesting to visit Newgrange during the winter solstice when sunlight illuminates the interior.
flickr / A_Castro
Restaurant T'Spookhuys, Belgium
If you decide to visit the most mysterious places in Europe, you'll be surprised to find that the list includes the abandoned restaurant T'Spookhuys in the Belgian town of Turnhout. For creating a gloomy atmosphere, the owners used all available methods – eerie interior, dim lighting. Initially, visitors liked the idea, but over time, the establishment became unprofitable. Today, the abandoned restaurant looks even scarier, and locals claim that ghosts have taken up residence in the building.
flickr / Yannick Wilrycx
Gaiola Islands, Italy
The fascinating Gaiola Islands are located in the area of the Gulf of Naples in Italy. Gaiola consists of two tiny rocks connected by a bridge. A villa is built on one island, while the other remains empty. At first glance, this place seems very charming and attractive, but locals say the islands are cursed. The villa has been abandoned for a long time, and all of its previous owners faced serious life problems and died quickly.
flickr / Giorgio
Brocken, Germany
Brocken is the peak of the Harz Mountains, where witches used to gather for their sabbaths. The summit area experiences a strange natural phenomenon known as the Brocken specter. At sunset, a mysterious shadow with a rainbow halo appears in the air. Some even claim to have seen the specter moving.
flickr / Tobias Nordhausen
Loch Ness, Scotland
Loch Ness near the Scottish town of Inverness has been scaring people since the Middle Ages. There are persistent rumors that a lizard-like monster lives in its waters. Sometimes witnesses even provide blurry photos. Nobody knows for sure if it is true, but one thing is certain – even when the water is calm, it’s impossible to shake the feeling that something is watching you.
flickr / Janusz W.
Carnac Stones, Brittany, France
The Carnac Stones in Brittany are the French cousin of England’s Stonehenge. This vast collection of stone megaliths is considered the largest in the world. The Carnac complex includes about three thousand boulders.
flickr / D.M.C.M
Dancing Forest, Russia
If you plan to buy plane tickets to Kaliningrad for a weekend trip, don’t forget to visit the mysterious Dancing Forest located on the Curonian Spit. Every pine here has a twisted trunk, with the shapes ranging from loops to other unusual forms. Upon arrival, the first thought that comes to mind is that it's definitely a zone of paranormal activity.
flickr / alex afenov
Mary King's Close, Edinburgh, Scotland
In the 17th century, the plague ravaged Europe, giving rise to numerous eerie legends and stories. During the plague, the sick of Edinburgh were brought here and left to die. Archival records state that in 1645, the MacConnechy family left their daughter here. After her death, the girl’s soul remained unrestful. Even today, one can hear her mournful wails among the damp walls of the old buildings.
flickr / www.ilreporter.com
