by L. A. Kell

Created on: March 04, 2009

The castles of Europe today bring romanticized visions of what life was once like during feudal times. Castles are remnants of a dark and somewhat sinister time in the history of man, albeit a testament to the workmanship of time long gone. Centuries of everyday lives, war, murder, torture, and politics have left an indelible mark on the thick stone walls. It's no wonder that energies surrounding these fortresses somehow manage to make their presence known in modern day.

Bran Castle was built in 1212 deep in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania by the Teutonic Knights and once home to Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler. It's been open to the public for only the last 40 years but forever will be immortalized as Bram Stoker's castle for Dracula. With over 700 years of a dark history, who knows what lingers in Transylvania.

Dragsholm Castle in Denmark is famous for at least 3 ghosts that are said to inhabit it (but said to have more than 100). It's no wonder it has all that psychic energy since this famous castle was built in the 12th century, and is now a hotel. The Grey Lady once worked in the castle and is said to haunt the rooms at night making sure things are alright. The White Lady seems to be the daughter of one former owner who was said to have been imprisoned in the castle when her father found that she was having an affair with a commoner. I must add that bones and remnant of a white dress were found when workers tore down a wall sometime in the 20th century. The Earl of Bothwell, James Hepburn died at the castle after being imprisoned. The Earl was said to have been consort to Mary, Queen of Scots and his ghost (with carriage and horses) are said to haunt the courtyard and visitors often hear the sound of horses.

Brissac Castle (Chateau de Brissac) in the Loire Valley in France was rebuilt in the 17th century and has over 200 rooms. It is said to be haunted by Charlotte and her lover, who were assassinated by Charlotte's husband, Jacque de Breze. He sold it soon after they died because he couldn't stand to hear their moaning in the night.

Glamis Castle in Scotland was the home of the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth of England's mother. Once a royal hunting lodge, the castle's construction was started in the 15th century. What makes this castle exceptionally creepy is the reported number of hauntings. One ghost reported to haunt Glamis Castle for hundreds of years, is the Grey Lady, who is reported to be Janet Douglas, the wife of one of Lords Glamis.

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