Imagine: three o'clock in the morning. You wake up to the sound of your daughter saying "Mommy, I'm scared" and crawling into your bed. Her little arms hug you from behind. A minute later, you remember that your daughter is at summer camp and should not be back until a week later. You turn around sharply to see who called you, and ... there is no one next to you. But then you look up at the door and see it - standing, looking at you. The body stiffens, and the girl grins and disappears right before your eyes. At 3:15 in the morning, you know you won't be able to sleep. You should have listened to those who said you were moving into a haunted house...one of the many haunted houses.
This little story may be fictional, but many people have claimed to have experienced similar experiences in the homes on this list. From the House of Despair in Mexico, where a series of brutal murders took place, to DeFoe's house in New York, whose story inspired the legendary horror movie The Amityville Horror, we are sure that you would try your best to avoid a night in one of these houses ( and that would be wise of you). So, we present to your attention 25 creepy haunted houses that not everyone dares to visit.
Photographer Sef Loveless is a real expert in the field of abandoned houses. To search for objects for shooting, he travels a lot, communicates with people and finds buildings that seem to have descended from horror screens. Each of these houses is accompanied by a story, and some even cause one desire at all - to bypass them and as far as possible.
Sef designed his photo tours of abandoned houses in the book "13: American Horror Story". It includes detailed photographs of buildings, their history and testimonies of residents living in the neighborhood.
1. In 1941, this house was a brothel. Years later, several bodies were found in the basement, each of which had all the organs marked with perfect circles.
2. According to history, a family with four children lived in this house. After the parents committed a double suicide, for 10 years the children grew up alone in this house.
3. Another family drama played out in this house in the middle of the 20th century. A certain Benjamin Albright first killed his son, and then his wife and himself. Since 1958, the house has stood intact, preserving the history and all the personal belongings of the family.
5. In the 70s, the mansion was a small hotel and became famous for some very strange deaths.
6. The Milan mansion was notorious in the area. It is said that a practicing witch lived there and the neighbors were afraid of this place. Rumor has it that after her death, the witch was buried right in the house.
7. "Doll House" from Philadelphia got its name from a very strange interior. There is no furniture or other evidence of life in it, but the whole house is filled with dolls and metal racks with saws and other tools.
8. This house in the city of Hartford is notable for the fact that, in addition to the accompanying ghost stories, it became the source of the idea for the famous TV series American Horror Story.
9. Serial killer Michael Madison lived in this house, who used the basement as a place of massacre of his victims.
10. At the beginning of the 20th century, the family living in this house mysteriously disappeared. The investigation yielded nothing, but they say that residents then repeatedly saw the silhouettes of residents in the windows of the house.
11. This abandoned orphanage gained notoriety in the 20th century thanks to Robert Burdell, also known as the “Butcher of Kansas City,” one of the most notorious serial killers in US history.
12. In this house in Buffalo lived a local sheriff who committed suicide. The house was empty, but residents repeatedly complained to the police about the voices in the building. Structural tests yielded no results.
Do you want to tickle your nerves with quality, going on a trip? On our planet, you can find enough places characterized by increased paranormal activity and the presence of ghosts, according to eyewitnesses. So, where can a risky and adventurous tourist who wants to encounter something supernatural go?
1. Eastern State Penitentiary
The maximum security prison in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has long been the subject of much paranormal research. The building resembles a well-fortified fortress with towers and powerful gates, and it served as a prison for almost 140 years until the early 1970s. Today it state museum, and one of the most interesting places in the former prison - this is the solitary confinement of Al Capone himself. The ill-treatment and torture caused many prisoners to go insane and die, which is why visitors today report hearing ominous whispers, weeping, and even dark silhouettes in the rooms.
2. Tower of London
There were so many and so many executions in the Tower that the manifestations of paranormal activity within its walls do not seem surprising at all. Most often, visitors and workers notice the appearance of the ghosts of Queen Anne Boleyn, the executed wife of King Henry VIII, the children's silhouettes of Edward V and his brother Richard, Duke of York, and the elderly Countess of Salisbury, whom the executioner managed to behead only the third time.
3. Gettysburg
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is one of the most visited historic sites in the United States. This is the site of a bloody three day battle (1863) during civil war which claimed the lives of about 50 thousand people. It is believed that the battlefield and several nearby buildings, then used as temporary hospitals for the wounded, have forever remained an eternal haven for the souls of many soldiers, whose ghosts are often observed by tourists who come to these parts.
4. Pere Lachaise
The atmosphere of the Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris is unique and inimitable, its territory is not like any earthly cemetery, but rather like some special city of the dead. Ancient tombstones, statues and the absolute silence of Père Lachaise make visitors feel as if they are constantly being watched by invisible eyes.
5. Bran Castle
Bran Castle in Transylvania is a real attraction for tourists. Still, because the people still call it nothing more than Dracula's castle. There are no historical records confirming that Vlad Tepes was his master, but for several months he was kept in this castle as a prisoner. However, imagination is a powerful thing, and Bran Castle has forever become Dracula's own fearsome fortress.
6. Liner "Queen Mary"
The transatlantic military transport liner Queen Mary is also haunted, according to numerous eyewitnesses. Today it is permanently laid up in the port of Long Beach (California) and performs a lot of functions: a museum, a restaurant, a hotel and a room for presentations, exhibitions and conventions. It even has a church and a chapel for wedding ceremonies on board. Among the paranormal activity, one can note the appearance of a young man who was crushed by door number 13 in the engine room, the sounds of splashing water from an empty pool and traces of wet feet and
dancing lady in white in the first class lounge.
7 Mansfield Prison
If you walk into the former prison and penal colony of Mansfield, Ohio, chances are you will feel very uncomfortable there. Many horrific and mysterious deaths have been recorded in the prison infirmary.
The chapel once housed a torture chamber, and the so-called "Hole" was a terrifying punishment cell. By the way, it was Mansfield Prison that “played the role” of Shawshank Prison in the movie The Shawshank Redemption.
8. Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a tourist attraction that is certainly not without its own ghosts, namely Greyfriars dog Bobby guarding the grave of his deceased owner, and a mysterious man in a leather apron. In addition, the sounds of bagpipes are heard here, since once a local piper was lost forever in the tunnels under the castle, and visitors also note the constant feeling that they are being watched by invisible inhabitants of the castle.
9. Parisian catacombs
They say that the Parisian catacombs are simply overpopulated with ghosts. And this is quite understandable. The catacombs serve as underground burial chambers for the vast quantities of bones removed from the overcrowded city cemeteries.
From the remains, an amazing, but rather sinister ossuary (bone) was built in the form of crosses and imitation walls.
10 St. Louis Cemetery
St. Louis Cemetery in New Orleans (Louisiana) looks like a real scenery for some Hollywood horror movie. Visitors are also drawn to the grave of a local voodoo queen named Marie Laveau, who passed away in the late 19th century.
It is believed that even from underground, she continues to fulfill the wishes of those who come to her here for help - most importantly, do not forget to draw three crosses on the wall of her crypt.
Dilapidated mansions, of which there are many around the world, make a depressing impression, but they always attract many lovers of delving into old stories.
Peeling walls, on which traces of graffiti are visible, the remains of broken furniture, empty windows and things of the previous owners have their own unique energy, and they look very photogenic, so such houses are just expanse for photographers and lovers of mysticism!
One of these incredibly atmospheric places is Villa de Vecchi, once abandoned by the owners, also known as the “Haunted Mansion”. This old house is located among the mountains of Italy, not far from Lake Como, and for many years it has had the glory of a rather mysterious place.
The history of the old villa begins in the 1850s, when the local Count Felix de Vecchi, returning from distant travels around the world, decided to build a cozy nest for his family. He hired the Italian specialist Alessandro Sidoli as an architect, under whose leadership the Baroque building was built.
In the early years of its existence, Villa de Vecchi made an unforgettable impression on guests: its walls and ceilings were decorated with elegant frescoes, a beautiful piano stood in a huge reception room, and a richly decorated fireplace warmed the house with the warmth of its fire. A wonderful park was laid out around the villa, in which a rather powerful fountain was even installed, working under the pressure of water from the mountainside. It was a luxurious mansion, surprising guests with many hitherto unknown construction innovations.
Unfortunately, the further history of this house is rather gloomy - despite the wealth surrounding the family of the owners, they could not live there happily ever after. Returning home one day, the count found his wife brutally murdered, and his daughter completely disappeared from the house, leaving no trace. The desperate father searched for her for several weeks in the surrounding forests, but did not find her. Distraught with grief, Felix de Vecci committed suicide at the age of forty-six.
This tragedy occurred in 1862, after which the villa passed into the hands of the younger brother of the count, who became the last tenant of this house. Now the building is in an abandoned state, frightening the locals with its gloomy beauty and scary stories.
Adventurous and thrill-seekers who are ready to meet with something truly unidentified and supernatural will be able to find several places in the Northern capital and the region where, with the onset of twilight, every rustle in the veins freezes the blood, and the heart begins to beat more and more often: it seems that on you caught someone's gaze.
Gothic" haunted house 
At the Vorontsovskaya dacha in the middle of the 19th century, a very unusual house was erected, attracting the attention of the townspeople with its atypical architecture for that time. Nicknamed "Gothic". Today it is not just an architectural monument, but also one of the truly frightening and mystical places in the city on the Neva. Initially, the estate consisted of a large stone manor house, a grotto, an outbuilding, kitchen and stable buildings, a barnyard and a small greenhouse. The "Gothic" house appeared much later - in the middle of the 19th century, when part of Novoznamenka went to Senator P.V. Myatlev. At the end of the 19th century, a hospital for the mentally ill was located in the buildings of the Vorontsovskaya dacha. Naturally, this led to huge changes both in the external appearance of the buildings and in the interior decoration. Today the house is abandoned, but only by people. House number 13 on Chekistov Street is surrounded by a veil of mystery and has gained a bad reputation among ordinary citizens. The "Gothic" house has become not just an architectural monument, but rather an attraction for those who like to tickle their nerves. Something otherworldly has long settled in this house and is ready to show off in front of uninvited guests, as if reminding them that they are not at all welcome here. Rumor has it that curious Petersburgers meet here with the unknown, and some in all seriousness claim that they saw a ghost or felt someone's presence. In general, this is not the most suitable place for a romantic walk. After all, even some scientists confirm that this house is inhabited by a whole crowd of vengeful spirits.
st. Chekistov, 13
Manor in Redkino: a haunted settlement 
In the ancient village of Redkino, on the banks of a winding river, the remains of the noble estate of the 18th-19th centuries, the Redkinskaya Manor, have been preserved. To this day, its tower stands proudly against the backdrop of the picturesque nature of the surroundings. Crossing the threshold of the creaky wrought iron gates of the 18th century, guests are immersed in the atmosphere of its former splendor. Rumor has it that the estate still lives its invisible life for outsiders. And this is not surprising: after all, on its territory, in addition to a large boyar house and various outbuildings, there is an old family cemetery. But that's not all: for many years, a chilling legend circulated among the locals that there was a nunnery in the expanses of Redkino, which suddenly disappeared without a trace. And with him, all the parishioners disappeared. But it is likely that these are just rumors, although some local historians also mention the monastery. After the death of the owners, the affairs of the estate went differently, some owners were replaced by others. In Soviet times, the master's house was adapted for a seven-year boarding school. And although the former noble spirit had to be forgotten, the buildings managed to be maintained in good condition. But with the end of the Soviet system, the estate itself began to fall apart. But despite the desolation and devastation, it is still attractive for extreme travelers.
Redkino village, Volosovsky district
The Demidov estate and its mysterious reader 
There are rumors that at one time the former owner of the estate, the merchant Demidov, lost his possessions here, as a result of which he lost his mind. The main house of the manor complex has come down to us in almost original form. At the stairs of the house, granite sculptures of guard lions are installed on pedestals. Inside, a beautiful spiral staircase has been preserved. And it is she who is of particular interest to everyone who wants to face otherworldly forces. Every year, one of the extreme travelers mentions an inexplicable phenomenon that he happened to encounter in the estate of a crazy merchant. This usually happens in the late afternoon, when darkness falls on the estate. Incomprehensible and barely perceptible rustles begin to be heard on the upper floors, as if something or someone is quietly turning over the pages of an old book. If you hide and wait a bit below, not trying to get to know the unknown reader, then very soon the strange sounds will stop, and a light cold breeze will blow from the side of the stairs. It can be assumed that the unfortunate merchant Demidov is still wandering around here, examining his beloved possessions.
Taytsy village, Gatchinsky district
The house of the manager of the company "Rops and Co" 
One of the few buildings representing wooden architecture that has survived to this day. This wooden and now abandoned house was built in 1900 and belonged to the US citizen, 1st guild merchant William Hopper Rops, who ran an oil refinery. It simply won’t work to say much about this house, because, unfortunately, there is no reliable data on the builders of a wooden masterpiece in the Art Nouveau spirit. But it is known that the house of the former American subject has enjoyed a bad reputation among local residents over the past decades. No, of course, ghosts are not just there to meet adventurous visitors - there is a generally bad atmosphere here. But there were still contacts with the unknown. Rumor has it that sometimes in the window of a small tower with a balcony someone seems to be standing and looking into the void, but as soon as you look away from the window, an unknown force recedes.
Petrovskaya Spit, 9
Abandoned dacha Novikov 
The building of the estate of the provincial secretary and honorary citizen Ivan Ivanovich Novikov was built before the revolution. After its owner disappeared in 1917, the dacha changed owners several times and was eventually used as the building for the officers' assembly of the First Jaeger Battalion. During the Winter War with Finland, the government of the "Democratic Republic of Finland" Otto Ville Kuusinen was formed in the building. By the way, it was this "government" that immediately declared the village of Terijoki a city, and this decree is still in effect. Local residents have long called the building "Mannerheim's Dacha". Moreover, as it turned out later, after the war, almost all the beautiful buildings on the Karelian Isthmus were called like that. It is not clear what this is connected with, but it is known for sure that the baron never had a dacha in these places. So these conversations are just talk: either a consequence of Soviet propaganda about the bourgeois Mannerheim, or indirect evidence of the respect of ordinary citizens for the famous marshal. Until 1990, the dacha building was occupied by the Lenizdata pioneer camp. Today, the beautiful building is abandoned and arrives in complete disrepair (or not quite).
Zelenogorsk, Ispolkomovskaya st., 6
