Most of us imagine a haunted house in much the same way: a lonely house, whose rooms are covered with cobwebs, standing in a secluded place. However, according to urban legends, ghosts live not only in abandoned places, often settling in the center of megacities. We've rounded up five haunted house stories you'll want to know more about.
Ancient Ram Hotel, United Kingdom
For thrill-seekers, visit the Ancient Ram Hotel in Gloucestershire. It is believed that its building, built in 1145, is now visited not only by tourists, but also by numerous spirits and ghosts.
The last owner of the hotel, who has lived in the house since 1968, said that during his first night in the building, someone unknown grabbed and moved his bed around the room all night. After that, he decided to study the history of the building and found out that satanic rituals and sacrifice ceremonies were held in the house. He even found a pair of children's skeletons under the stairs, as well as many broken knives.
In addition, there is a legend according to which a woman who was considered a witch was burnt alive in this building in the 16th century. People believe that the spirit of the unfortunate woman has not yet left the walls of the house. The ghost even took a fancy to one of the rooms, which is called the "Witch's Room".
Despite its eerie history, the hotel was popular with tourists. The guests said that at night they often woke up and saw ghosts in their room.
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It is not currently possible to stay at the hotel, but the current owners regularly allow tourists and ghostbusters to spend several hours at the hotel at night. Tickets are sold only a few times a year and they fly off instantly.
House in Amitville, USA
In November 1974, a grisly murder took place in Amitville, in southern New York. The young man, known in the city as Ronald De Feo Jr., shot his entire family - his parents, as well as his siblings. All six were killed in a dream, and Ronald himself later said that the voices in his head made him do this act.
The investigation confirmed De Feo's guilt, and 13 months after the murder, the house in which the crime was committed was bought by the Lats family. The new tenants were able to live in the house for only 28 days - they left their new home, stopped paying mortgage payments and decided not to take their things. Family members said that all this time they heard strange voices, felt that invisible people were pushing them, and the night vision camera even photographed a little boy peeking out from behind a slightly open door.
Paranormal specialists examined the house and confirmed that spirits do live in it. The house became especially famous after the release of the horror film, which told about the murder in Amytville.
In February 2017, the house was sold for $ 605,000. An unknown buyer purchased it for $ 200,000 less than originally requested.
White House, USA
The building, which is the official residence of the American president, was built in 1800. Since that time, the White House has seen a lot - it suffered from fires, went through more than one reconstruction and, of course, it was not without ghosts.
The presidents themselves, members of their families, as well as people working in the White House, have repeatedly mentioned strange things happening in the residence. Eyewitnesses say that most often they met Abraham Lincoln - usually they saw him sitting on the bed and laced his shoes or walking down the corridors.
House at Chaoney, 81, China
The mansion on one of the streets of Beijing was built in the French Baroque style. It was built in the early 20th century and, according to one version, was used as a church for the British living in Beijing.
Legend has it that in the middle of the 20th century a woman hanged herself in the building, and since then her spirit has continued to roam the mansion. There is no confirmation of the fact that a suicide actually occurred in the house, but the mansion has since been considered a dangerous and mysterious place. Until recently, it was abandoned, and tenants and possible owners, fearing a restless ghost, refused to move into the house.
However, in March 2016 the building was renovated, and in 2017 it began to be leased. You can rent a house for 10 million yuan a year, which is significantly higher than the cost of renting similar buildings nearby.
Brissac Castle, France
Located in the Loire Valley, Brisac Castle is the tallest castle in France. It was built in the 11th century. The impressive building was repeatedly completed and reconstructed - it had 204 rooms, several art galleries and even a small opera house with 200 seats. The castle acquired its present appearance in 1620.
Now you can come to the castle with an excursion, and you can also stay in it for several nights. In addition to the lovely setting and sumptuous dining, guests are offered an neighborhood with the features that one might expect to also inhabit the castle.
The most famous ghost is the ghost of the Green Lady, which appeared in the castle in the 15th century, after a double murder was committed in one of the rooms. A green lady - a woman dressed in a green dress - is often seen in one of the rooms located in the chapel tower. Those who have not met the ghost claim to hear her drawn-out scream.