8 Most Haunted Places in Eastern Europe

The next paragraphs focus on the most haunted places in Eastern Europe I have found or know about. These locations have a history of various paranormal and ghostly activities. Many are castles with a rich military history and tales of past battles. Two of these sites are natural landscapes, while one is an urbex location that, although it lacks paranormal activity, is still strange enough to be noteworthy.

Pidhirtsi Castle, Ukraine

Pidhirtsi Castle blends Renaissance and Baroque styles from the 17th century. It lies near Lviv and forms part of the Golden Horseshoe tourist route, highlighting the finest castles and palaces of western Ukraine. Some rumors claim that a ghost known as the ‘White Lady’ haunts the area. Many believe the story is based on the life of Maria Zhevuska, the wife of Duke Zhevuski. The Duke decided to stonewall her in anger when he found out about her infidelity. Different sources suggest he did it because she could not produce offspring for him.

Lysa Hora, Ukraine

Lysa Hora is another spot on my most haunted places in Eastern Europe list due to its roots connected to witchcraft, satanism, and political executions. It is in Kyiv near the Dnipro River. The place is a gathering spot for witches and sorcerers on special nights like the Walpurgis Night, and Ivan Kupala Night. The references to this magical place and its mystical significance are also present in the works of well-known and famous Ukrainian writers such as Nikolai Gogol and the Strugatsky Brothers. During the early 20s, people used the place as a prison for political dissidents. Executions were also a frequent occurrence at Lysa Hora, with one of the most infamous being that of Dmitry Bogrov. An anarchist and police informant, Bogrov gained notoriety for assassinating Pyotr Stolypin, the Russian Prime Minister, in 1911.

Buzludzha Monument, Bulgaria

Buzludzha is a monument in UFO-like shape. It stands as a symbol of the Communist regime in Bulgaria. They completed it in 1981 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party in the country. Today, the place is abandoned but has many visitors, especially the ones who love brutalist architecture or urbex. It is part of the Balkan Mountains near the town of Kazanlăk. It sits at an altitude of 1441 meters. Furthermore, it offers stunning panorama views of the region. No haunted stories are attached to it, but you can get a weird feeling while spending time in such a remote location. It consists of a large central hall and a 70-meter-tall tower. There is a red star on its top. The walls are full of mosaics depicting socialist history and people like Karl Marks, Lenin, or Todor Zhivkov.

Devil’s Throat Cave, Bulgaria

According to local legends, the place is a gateway to the underworld or Hades. It lies in southern Bulgaria, Rhodope Mountains, near the village of Trigrad. According to the myth, the Greek hero Orpheus once descended into the cave. He wanted to rescue his beloved Eurydice from the death.

On the other hand, the shape of the cave resembles an enormous throat. That led people to give it the name Devil`s Throat. It has a gigantic underground waterfall that plunges 42 meters into the abyss. Water from the Trigrad River enters the cave and disappears into the abyss. But then the river reappears outside the cave again. You can visit the cave only with a guide that will show you also the Hall of Thunder – a gigantic cavern. A 30-story building could fit inside.

Some visitors reported hearing weird sounds or feeling an ominous presence when they were inside. Locals think the cave is cursed, and unseen forces observe everyone who enters it.

Petrovaradin Catacombs, Serbia

The list of most haunted places in Eastern Europe continues with the Petrovaradin Fortress and its catacombs. The fortress resides near Novi Sad. You can reach it easily by car or public transport. The place played a significant role in the Austro-Hungarian Empire between the 17th and 18th centuries. Its purpose was to defend the place against the Ottoman Empire.

The catacombs were part of the defense system. It is an extensive network of tunnels, about 16 kilometers long. Certain parts were for either drainage or storage. Many people believe that these tunnels are home to the restless spirits of soldiers who died during some battles. Some even report hearing strange noises such as footsteps, whispers, or voices. Many urban legends are associated with it, such as the story of the lost Austrian soldier or the Phantom Drummer.

Hoia Forest, Romania

The forest lies near the city of Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania. It spreads over 295 kilometers. Many think it is the Bermuda Triangle of Romania and one of the most haunted places in the world.

Many reports describe ghost sightings, UFO activity, and otherworldly apparitions or sensations. Certain people claim to see weird and shadowy figures, humanoid shapes, or glowing orbs or to hear giggling, voices, or mysterious lights. The most notable UFO sighting occurred in 1968. Military technician Emil Barnea reported it.

One section, the Round Meadow, is a treeless plain. Until today, scientists can not explain this phenomenon.

Locals believe that the forest is cursed. Many people who enter it end up emerging with unexplained time distortions, rushes, burns, or similar hard-to-explain phenomena. Some who enter never appear again. There is the case of the 5-year-old who disappeared. She was found five years later without having aged and with no memory of what happened to her.

The trees bear strange burn marks, twisted trunks, and others spiraling in unusual shapes.

Many scientists who did research in the forest noticed unusual electromagnetic disturbances, especially around the Round Meadow.

Orava Castle, Slovakia

Orava Castle rests 115 kilometers north of the capital city of Bratislava in the Orava region. The castle, built in 1250, features a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture from medieval times. Builders originally constructed the castle for defensive purposes.

The complex consists of many buildings (the tower, palace, defensive walls) connected by courtyards. There are around 115 rooms, but not all are open to the public.

The castle was also the filming location for the 1922 German movie Vampire from Nosferatu.

Several local legends are associated with Orava castle, the most famous being that of the Lady in White. This tale involves the knight Dončo and his wife. Dončo was known to be a cruel and malicious man. One night, after returning home intoxicated, he became enraged and directed his anger toward the maid. His wife intervened to stop him, but in the ensuing struggle, Dončo severed her hand. Legend has it that her ghost roams the area twice a year, dressed in white and carrying her bloody hand. A figurine symbolizing her spirit stands inside the castle.

Other intriguing legends include the story of Sad Barbora, the Lady in Black, and the tale of the White Dove and the Hawk, each adding depth to the region’s rich folklore.

Zvíkov Castle, Czech Republic

The last spot on the list of the most haunted places in Eastern Europe is the Zvíkov Castle near the town of Zvíkovské Podhradí. It belongs to the South Bohemian Region. Zvíkov castle overlooks two rivers, Vltava and Otava.

It is a Romanesque and Gothic structure from the 13th century. Czech king Přemysl Otakar II used it as his royal residence.

Many visitors claim to experience paranormal and ghostly activities such as weird noises, voices, strange shadowy figures, drops in temperature, and cold spots. Some claimed to feel an unseen hand touching or pushing them.

According to some sources, both towers – Markomanka Tower, adorned with runes, and The Black Tower – are said to be haunted by the elusive Zvíkov’s Imp. Additionally, the castle is home to its legend of the White Lady, a spectral figure who is said to haunt its halls. Unlike some of the more sinister occurrences reported at the castle, the presence of the White Lady is often viewed as less hostile, adding a touch of mystery rather than fear to the castle’s atmosphere.