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Get ready to be spooked this Halloween with our guide to the 12 most haunted places in Germany that are sure to send a shiver down your spine. This is going to be the ultimate guide for any dark tourist who wants to explore the eerie and spine-tingling world of the supernatural. Today, we're taking a journey across the enchanting land of Germany, where history meets the paranormal in the most enchanting and spine-chilling way possible. So, grab your ghost-hunting gear and get ready for a thrilling adventure through the most haunted places in Germany. From ancient castles, haunted hospitals to haunted German forests, we've got it all covered.
The Most Haunted Places in Germany
1. The Rakotzbrücke Devil's Bridge, Gablenz
You thought this bridge was just a nice place for Instagram photos? Well, its history is quite interesting, and you should definitely visit the Rakotzbrücke Devil's Bridge in Gablenz for a scare. Looking at the semi-circular bridge, one wonders how it could have been built without mysterious help. Legend has it that the devil himself helped build the bridge in 1863 (hence the name). But the devil doesn't help anyone without something in return, that's no secret. So what did he want? He demanded the soul of the first living creature to cross the bridge. Not a good deal for the bridge builder because he was the first to use the bridge and die. Despite its legend, there is something magical and alluring, and you should see it for yourself (if you're brave enough).
2. Plague Chapel, Weilheim
Forests at night are always a bit eerie, but in the middle of this forest in Bavaria is a particularly frightening haunted chapel. The chapel and its surrounding forests are said to be haunted. Every year it attracts many young people and those who want to be scared, and they report huge black hellhounds around the grounds and a light burning in the chapel at night, even though it is abandoned. The goosebumps factor couldn't be higher here.
Stay at Cocoon Sendlinger Tor in Munich, about an hour from Weilheim, take a trip to the small town and go on a night hike through the spooky forest to the chapel.
3. Haus Fühlingen, Cologne
Everyone from Cologne has heard one or two scary stories about this haunted house in Germany. Thousands of knights are said to have died on its grounds during a battle in 1288, some due to the fight, but horses overran most until they were no longer recognisable and died. It wasn't until centuries later that Eduard Freiherr von Oppenheim bought the site, and the villa and a racecourse were built. After he had to sell the estate again in 1907, the misfortune began. The ghosts of deceased people from the times of various owners are said to be still haunting the estate today. For example, a 19-year-old forced labourer was murdered here in 1943. The next owner, Gerhard van K., a former Nazi judge, hanged himself on the house's second floor in 1962. Years later, another body was found on the second floor - the same cause of death.
The property, located in the Chorweiler district of Cologne, is only a few minute's drive from the city centre. Stay at the Viktoria Hotel and see for yourself that ghosts haunt the Fühlingen house.
4. Beelitz Sanatoriums, Beelitz
The Beelitz Sanatorium in Brandenburg was the largest hospital in Europe of its time and was opened in 1902. Originally built as a sanatorium to cure people with the lung disease tuberculosis, this haunted hospital in Germany was used as a military hospital during the Nazi era, and even Hitler was treated here. There is no exact death toll of the patients of the sanatorium, however, there have been several murders there in the last 30 years, which only make this place more gruesome. In 1991, a young woman and her three-month-old son were murdered here in cold blood by the serial killer "The Beast of Beelitz". In 2008, a model was beaten and strangled to death by her photographer at this site. Today you can explore the ruins with a tour, and a cold shiver will run down your spine within the walls of the most haunted hospital in Germany.
Stay at the Hotel am Havelufer Potsdam and enjoy Lake Templin's view while mentally preparing for your trip to the sanatoriums. It's only about 30 minutes by car from here.
5. Waldniel-Hostert Nursing Home, Schwalmtal
Although it is forbidden to enter, we did not want to deprive you of one of the cruellest places in German history. However, you can only see this nursing home from behind fences. The Waldniel-Hostert nursing home in Schwalmtal, North Rhine-Westphalia, hides terrible deeds. During the Nazi era, the institution was used to house mentally disabled children and adults, but it didn't stop at caring for the patients. Cruel things were done to them, and eventually, they were put to sleep with Luminal. It is said that the ghosts of the 455 adults and 99 children who died here still haunt the corridors.
6. The Ghost Forest in Nienhagen
A dense, eerie forest known as the "Gespensterwald" or Ghost Forest in Nienhagen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, has earned its ominous reputation for good reason. This haunted forest in Germany, with its twisted and gnarled trees, presents a haunting atmosphere that seems pulled from a Gothic novel. The ancient trees, shrouded in mist during the early morning hours, cast eerie shadows that can send shivers down your spine. Local legends tell of restless spirits who dwell among the trees, emerging at night to haunt unwary travellers. While there are no documented incidents of violence or harm, the Ghost Forest's unsettling ambience alone is enough to make anyone question their decision to venture into its depths after sunset. If you're a brave soul, explore the forest during the twilight hours, but be prepared for an experience that will leave you questioning the boundary between reality and the supernatural.
7. The Valentin Submarine Bunker, Bremen
Located in the port city of Bremen, the Valentin Submarine Bunker is a foreboding relic of World War II. This massive underground bunker was constructed by forced laborers during the war to shelter and repair German U-boats. As you descend into the dimly lit depths of this historical site, you can't help but feel the weight of its dark history. The Valentin Bunker bears witness to the suffering and hardship endured by those who built it under brutal conditions. Tragically, many labourers lost their lives during its construction. Visitors have reported unsettling encounters with ghostly apparitions and unexplained sounds echoing through the underground chambers. Some believe that the spirits of the deceased laborers still linger, unable to find peace.
Exploring this eerie subterranean complex is not for the faint of heart. If you're up for a chilling journey into history, consider a visit to the Valentin Submarine Bunker, where you may encounter the lingering echoes of a dark past that continue to haunt its corridors.
8. The Domsland Bog in Windeby, Schleswig-Holstein
Hidden within the tranquil landscapes of Schleswig-Holstein lies the Domsland Bog, a place of both natural beauty and unsettling mystery. This vast bog, characterized by its eerie stillness, has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike for generations. The Domsland Bog is known for its spectral tales, whispered among those who dare to tread upon its shadowy paths. In 1952, a body was found in the bog aged around 15 -17 years old and it's now one of the most famous bog bodies in Germany. Whether you're drawn by curiosity or a thirst for adventure, exploring the Domsland Bog after nightfall promises an encounter with the uncanny that you won't soon forget.
9. The Forbidden Town of Wünsdorf, Brandenburg
Next on our list of the most haunted places in Germany is the Forbidden Town of Wünsdorf in the heart of Brandenburg. Once a bustling military complex during the Cold War, this town was home to the Soviet army and served as the command centre for their operations in East Germany. Today, it stands as a haunting reminder of a bygone era. Despite its abandonment, Wünsdorf is said to be far from deserted. Eerie accounts tell of spectral apparitions and strange occurrences within its decaying buildings. Visitors who have dared to venture near this forbidden town have reported chilling encounters with the unknown. The stories range from ghostly soldiers patrolling the empty streets to disembodied voices echoing through the deserted buildings. Though access to Wünsdorf is restricted, its chilling reputation endures, making it a place of enduring fascination for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers.
10. The Spreepark, Berlin
Once a bustling amusement park in the heart of Berlin, the Spreepark now lies in eerie silence, a decaying relic of its former glory. Abandoned in 2002, this theme park still harbors the echoes of laughter and excitement from its heyday, but it has also acquired a darker reputation over the years. As you wander through the overgrown pathways and rusting fun fair rides, you may sense a spectral presence. Reports of ghostly figures and strange phenomena have become part of the park's lore. From the tragic history of the park's owner to the mysterious circumstances surrounding its closure, the Spreepark's haunted reputation continues to draw those seeking a spine-tingling adventure amid the remnants of a forgotten dreamland.
11. Castle Hotel Waldlustin Freudensat, Baden-Württemberg
Nestled in Baden-Württemberg, the Castle Hotel Waldlust in Freudensat exudes an air of old-world charm and elegance. However, beneath its picturesque façade lies a history marred by tragedy and unsettling events that continue to haunt its halls.
Stories of ghostly apparitions, phantom footsteps, and eerie whispers have surrounded this historic castle for centuries. The most famous legend involves a jilted bride who met a tragic end within the castle's walls. Her ghost is said to roam the castle, forever searching for her lost love. Guests who have stayed at the Waldlust Castle Hotel report spine-tingling encounters with the spectral bride, making it a destination for those seeking an otherworldly experience amidst the grandeur of a bygone era.
12. The Ghost Villa in Verden, Lower Saxony
In the town of Verden, Lower Saxony, a grand villa stands as both a majestic architectural gem and a site of spectral intrigue. This historic mansion, known as the Ghost Villa, has a long and mysterious history that has given rise to tales of the supernatural.
Legends tell of a former owner who met a tragic end, and some claim his restless spirit still lingers within the villa's ornate rooms. Visitors have reported strange occurrences, including unexplained footsteps, cold spots, and ghostly apparitions. Even the surrounding gardens are said to hold secrets of their own, with eerie occurrences reported among the lush foliage. For those with a taste for the mysterious, a visit to the Ghost Villa in Verden promises an encounter with the unexplained in the midst of elegant surroundings.
Brave Enough To Visit These Haunted Places In Germany?
So, do you have what it takes to explore Germany’s most haunted places? Whether you’re after ancient legends or eerie modern tales, these spine-chilling haunted destinations in Germany are bound to get your heart racing. Dare to visit, if you’re brave enough!
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