Haunted places have fascinated adventure seekers for centuries. Why? A promise of goosebumps, a thrill-induced adrenaline rush, and the chance of seeing something paranormal seem like an incredible opportunity to become the main character of one of your favorite movies. There is no better place to experience such emotions than Romania.
Romania, a country rich with legends and folklore, is a place full of mysterious happenings. It’s a perfect destination both for people looking for proof of the paranormal and for those who want to enjoy a good ghost story over a glass of local țuică.
1. Bran Castle: Legend of Dracula
Often associated with Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Bran Castle draws visitors intrigued by its connection to Vlad the Impaler. This medieval fortress, with its dark passageways and hidden chambers, is said to be haunted by tormented spirits and the chilling legacy of Count Dracula himself (although we can assure you the last part is just a legend).
The castle sits perched on a rocky hill, surrounded by forests. Some visitors have reported chills, seeing shadows move across halls, and feeling like someone is standing behind them when they're alone. These candlelit tours will leave you looking over your shoulder long after you’ve left and desiring to come back with a psychic reader to find more answers.
3-Day BEST of Transylvania Tour: Brasov, Sighisoara, Bran & Viscri
Start from: Bucharest
2. Hoia Baciu Forest: The World's Most Haunted Forest
Known as Romania’s Bermuda Triangle, Hoia Baciu Forest near Cluj-Napoca is notorious for its paranormal activity. Locals speak of UFO sightings and a mysterious clearing where no vegetation grows, making it a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts.
Some have even heard voices and seen dim figures hiding behind trees. Residents say that these are the ghosts of soldiers who died during the battles in these areas. This is the perfect place for those brave souls who like to go deep into the forest, not knowing if they will be able to come out.
3. Poenari Castle: The Fortress of Fear
The imposing Poenari fortress, built by Vlad the Impaler himself, looms over a rocky cliffside. Legends of Vlad’s cruelty and stories of shadowy figures wandering the ruins contribute to the eerie atmosphere that surrounds Poenari Castle.
Some believe that the ghosts of the castle are the people whom Vlad forced to build this castle and then ordered to kill. Others associate the voices in the castle with the count's wife. According to legend, when enemies captured the castle, Vlad fled but left his wife in the castle. She, not wanting to be captured, threw herself from the castle walls. Some visitors claim to have heard her mournful cries on windy nights since then.
4. Rasnov Fortress: Echoes of the Past
Perched on a hilltop, Rasnov Fortress is known for its bloody battles and long sieges. Ghostly sightings, unexplained noises, and strange feelings reported by visitors hint at the spirits that may still linger from the fortress’s turbulent past.
The most famous story is of a well, which is said to have taken over a decade to dig. The legend says two prisoners were set to the task. They were told it was their ticket to freedom. However, freedom didn’t happen, but curses apparently did. Visitors claim to hear whispers and feel icy chills near the well.
5. Banffy Castle: The Enigma of the Abandoned
This 14th-century castle, once called the Versailles of Transylvania, has a history of destruction and renovation. During WWII it was a hospital and many people died there. It’s believed to be haunted by the spirits of soldiers, and strange occurrences continue to unsettle those who visit this decaying architectural marvel.
This once-grand estate has seen everything from opulent parties to tragedy and war. These events faded into oblivion, but the ghostly energy of this place is still there. Some locals say that former residents of this castle never truly left. Visitors report strange lights and a sense of being watched.
Nowadays, the grounds of Banffy Castle are used as the location of the Electric Castle festival, taking place every year in July.
6. Chiajna Monastery: A Haunting Sanctuary
Located on the outskirts of Bucharest, Chiajna Monastery was abandoned after attacks and plagues decimated its inhabitants. According to locals, the monastery's now-missing bell echoes across the remains at night.
Visitors report strange sounds and spectral figures wandering its ruins, adding to the monastery's haunted reputation. If you're daring, go there at dusk.
7. Geamana: The Submerged Village
Geamana is a ghostly sight – a village submerged by toxic mining waste, with only the church steeple visible above the sludge. This eerie scene, combined with the tragic displacement of the villagers, has given rise to rumors of hauntings and lingering spirits.
The vivid colors of the water are both enthralling and disturbing, and the air carries an unsettling stillness. Today, Geamana is a symbol of human impact and nature’s beauty in Romania.
8. Cișmigiu Hotel: The Elevator of Death
This place hides a few skeletons in its closet. In Bucharest’s Cișmigiu Hotel, a tragic incident left a lasting mark on the building’s history. Guests and staff have reported hearing cries from an old, disused elevator shaft, where in the ‘ 90s a girl reportedly lost her life by falling in the elevator hole. Some see her ghost wandering around the hotel, seeking justice.
9. Constanta Casino: Ghosts of the Seaside
This abandoned Art Nouveau casino stands on the Black Sea coast, its grand halls now haunted by memories of a luxurious past. Inside, grandeur meets decay.
Visitors report ghostly whispers and footsteps echoing through the decaying rooms, adding an air of melancholy to this seaside ruin. Even though no one is visible, footsteps seem to appear out of nowhere, leaving tourists feeling both excited and frightened. Are the spirits of dancers and gamblers imprisoned in their gilded cage forever?
One legend adds to the Constanta Casino's mystique. It says this place was built by a sailor whose daughter died before reaching adulthood, in memory of her. If viewed from above, the casino was supposed to look like a hearse, and the windows - like graves.
10. The Haunted Village of Sighisoara: A Time Capsule of Terror
Sighisoara, a well-preserved medieval town and the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, exudes a dark, mysterious atmosphere. Its winding streets and ancient towers are rumored to be haunted, with ghostly figures occasionally glimpsed by those who wander its cobblestone paths.
Is this a trick of the light or the spirits of the villagers who still watch over their homes? Maybe you will find the explanation for this.
Tour of Transylvania's Countryside: Sighisoara Citadel & Fortified Villages
Start from: Cluj-Napoca
3-Day BEST of Transylvania Tour: Brasov, Sighisoara, Bran & Viscri
Start from: Bucharest
11. The Black Church of Brașov: A Gothic Tale
The Black Church, named after a fire blackened its walls, is a landmark in Brașov with a history steeped in mystery. Its burned walls narrate stories of a fire that failed to destroy its majesty. You'll sense it as soon as you walk in: the building itself is alive and listening.
The spirits of long-gone priests and restless parishioners are said to roam the church. Strange apparitions, ghostly organ music, and chilling whispers have been reported by visitors, fueling tales of hauntings in this Gothic church.
12. Iulia Hașdeu Castle: The Love of a Father
There is a castle in Câmpina, a little Romanian town, that was constructed on grief and a broken heart. Iulia Hașdeu Castle is a monument to a father’s undying love and his daughter’s untimely death.
This castle, built by Bogdan Petriceicu Hașdeu in honor of his deceased daughter, Iulia, is believed to be a portal between realms. It is said that Iulia herself dictated to her father the plans for the castle and people claim to see her ghost wandering the grounds, a testimony to her father's deep grief and the castle’s supernatural reputation.
13. Palace of the Parliament: The Ghosts in the Walls
Bucharest’s Palace of the Parliament looks amazing, and there’s a reason. Its construction demanded such grueling labor that lives were lost in the process. Today, this colossal structure in Bucharest is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who perished during its construction. Some have reported ghostly encounters, strange sounds, and unsettling energies within its massive halls.
Complete Bucharest Communism Tour: Palace of Parliament & Ceausescu's Home
Start from: Bucharest
Communist Walking Tour: History, Megalomania & Hidden Sights
Start from: Revolution Square next to the Rebirth Memorial (The patatoe)
14. Corvin Castle: Dungeons and Bears
Corvin Castle is one of Europe’s most haunted castles, with tales of prisoners tortured in its dungeons and being fed alive to bears. This sprawling Gothic fortress in Hunedoara has seen its fair share of atrocities, and the energy seems to linger in its stone walls. Shadowy figures, ghostly apparitions, and inexplicable noises contribute to its eerie atmosphere, attracting thrill-seekers and ghost hunters alike.
The dungeons, where some of the most horrific events in the castle's history took place, are especially eerie. Bring nerves of steel and a flashlight.
Visit Corvin Castle from Timisoara:
Visit Corvin Castle from Sibiu:
Visit Corvin Castle from Cluj-Napoca:
Conclusion
"Did you see that?" is a phrase you'll say after just ten minutes of wandering through any of the places listed above. Romania’s haunted sites invite those who dare to explore the supernatural, with each location offering a unique glimpse into the country's eerie and mysterious past. These places are windows into the past, where legends live on and ghosts refuse to retire. These sites, steeped in legend and historical horror, continue to fascinate and terrify, making Romania a top destination for paranormal enthusiasts. Just don’t forget to pack your courage.
Your Romanian friend,
Elena
