Arm yourself with curiosity and bravery as we embark on this unforgettable journey through Barcelona’s darker side. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an avid ghost hunter, or simply seeking a unique adventure, this self-guided walking tour promises to be an experience that will linger in your memory forever. The shadows await, and the stories beckon…

Disclaimer

The stories you’ll encounter on this tour have been passed down through generations. As new research and modern investigations shed light on the past, these stories may fade from truth to legend, but they always embody the enduring ghost tales that continue to captivate and haunt the city’s ancient streets.

Table Of Contents

1. Map of Self-Guided Walking Tour
2. The Vampire of Barcelona
3. Mercado de La Boqueria
4. Gran Teatre del Liceu
5. Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi
6. La Baixada de Santa Eulalia
   • The 13 Tortures of Santa Eulalia
7. The Alchemist House
8. Plaça de Sant Felip Neri
   • Spanish Civil War
9. Gothic Quarter
10. El Pont Del Bisbe
11. Gargoyles of the Cathedral of Barcelona
12. Cathedral of Barcelona
13. Carrer dels Comtes
    • The Spanish Inquisition
14. Plaça del Rei 
15. Casa del Botxí

Map of Self-Guided Walking Tour

The Vampire of Barcelona

We start our tour in the centre of the eclectic and historically rich district of El Raval. El Raval has always had a reputation for being gritty and edgy. Today, people flock here for the thriving arts scene and trendy boutiques. But at the beginning of the 20th century, this neighbourhood was also where the so-called Vampire of Barcelona prowled the streets. Her real name was Enriqueta Martí, known infamously as the child killer of Barcelona. She once resided just a short distance from where we now stand.

Enriqueta Martí 

Enriqueta Martí was born in a small town just outside Barcelona in 1868. As a young woman, she moved to Barcelona, like all enterprising young women at the time, to seek an independent life. She originally worked as a nanny to a wealthy family in Barcelona. Enriqueta sold herbal remedies out of her apartment as a side job, a skill she had learned from her father, a talented herbalist. But one day, a wealthy young woman died after taking one of Enriqueta’s potions. The family employed her as a Nanny and was shocked by the revelation of her side job. While Enriqueta was never arrested, they fired her on the spot to ensure they kept their name out of the press.

With no money to pay her rent, she began working as a prostitute in a local brothel. Learning the tricks of the trade, Enriqueta eventually opened her own brothel in El Raval in 1909. From her days working as a prostitute, she knew that there was money to be made for some particularly affluent clients in trading with young girls.

The Kidnappings Begin

Dressed as an old beggar woman, Enriqueta would roam the streets in some of the poorest areas of Barcelona, where she would abduct vulnerable girls living on the street and coerce them to work in her brothel. And, while that makes her villain enough, her corruption didn’t end there. Enriqueta began calling herself a witch doctor, creating elixirs which she marketed as a cure for tuberculosis. The tuberculosis epidemic was catastrophic, with no known cure, and people were willing to try anything. And I mean anything. Enriqueta began draining the blood of the children she captured to make tonics and potions that she claimed could cure tuberculosis, which, of course, they did not. Earning her the name “The Vampire of Barcelona.“

El Raval Terrorized

The neighbourhood was terrorized by the disappearance of many young girls. One fateful day in 1912, a little girl named Teresita Guitart Congost was kidnapped. Previously, the police had been lax in searching for missing, impoverished children despite numerous reports. However, public outrage over their passive response prompted them to act, mainly to appease the media. During one search, Teresita was spotted by a passerby while sitting in a window looking at the street. The police had enough sense to investigate, and when they arrived, they were horrified by what they found.

There was a terrible smell throughout the apartment, and when they opened a locked room, they discovered fifty pitchers, jars, and washbowls with preserved human remains inside. Greasy lard, coagulated blood, children’s hair, powdered bones, pots with potions, ointments, and salves made from horrifying ingredients lined the shelves. Investigators searched two of Enriqueta’s previous residences and uncovered false walls hiding more human remains, including the skull of a three-year-old child.

Enriqueta’s Murder

Enriqueta was held in Reina Amàlia jail and attempted suicide while awaiting trial. She was hospitalized and deemed unfit for trial. The public was outraged, wanting to see her executed for her crimes. Rumours circulated that some wealthy clients who purchased her potions knew about the gruesome ingredients involved and were complicit in the crimes. So when Enriqueta was murdered in prison by her cellmates, many believed the killers had been paid off by these wealthy clients to ensure their names were kept out of the press should she ever face the tribunal. Listen closely as we make our way towards the next stop to see if you can hear the ghostly cries of the nameless children who were victims of the Vampire of Barcelona.

Mercado de La Boqueria

Head to La Rambla and stand before the renowned Mercado de La Boqueria. While bustling with tourists daily, it transforms into a haunt for ancient ghosts at night. Today, a vibrant food market, this spot marked the steps to the original Convent of Sant Joseph de Barcelona, where the Barefoot Carmelites peacefully resided until a tragic turn of events.

On July 25th, 1835, several monks awoke to a strange noise from the church. It was the dead of night, and the rest of the order was asleep. Worrying it might be an intruder, they sped towards the church, but when they opened the doors, they were met by a frightful sight. Chanting loudly in the nave was a choir of skeleton monks, seemingly risen from their graves. After they finished their psalms, the living monks lit some candles and guided the spirits back to their tombs in the convent cemetery. Haunted forever by the unholy sight.

St. James’s Night Riots

Only ten days after the incident, the St. James’s Night riots took place on the church’s steps. Revolutionaries burned the monasteries and churches, and many anarchists entered the church and slaughtered all the monks inside. Were the ghostly singers trying to warn the monks of their doom? We will never know for sure. Today, people say that if you listen closely at night, you can still hear the sounds of these ghostly friars singing in front of the market.

Gran Teatre del Liceu

Walking along La Rambla, stop before the Gran Teatre del Liceu. Amazingly, the building in front of you is still standing. Why is that amazing, you might ask? Well, because it is widely rumoured that this is one of the most cursed sights in Barcelona. In the Middle Ages, this is where huge crowds would gather to watch public executions. Anyone who has researched what might cause an area to become cursed or haunted knows that powerful displays of suffering leave a mark on certain locations. And that is certainly the case here.

In the 16th century, a Trinitarian convent was built on the site, the polar opposite of an execution site. The nuns lived here in relative peace for a time, but in 1835, on that same fateful night, as the Saint Joseph Convent was destroyed, this building was also burnt down. Trapping all the nuns inside to suffer an abysmal fate.

Destroyed by Fire

After the riots subsided, the newly cleared spaces on La Ramblas became prime locations for new developments. Entrepreneurs seized the opportunity to construct the Gran Teatre del Liceu, completed in 1847. However, it wasn’t long before the theatre faced a similar destructive fate as the previous convent. Legend has it that the ghosts of the nuns who perished in the fire were upset to find their sanctuary replaced by a theatre, which the church at the time considered a sinful place. These nuns would likely have been displeased with their new ‘landlords’ for desecrating their sacred space.

In 1861, the Liceu Theatre, then Europe’s largest opera house with 3,500 seats, was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt, but tragedy struck again in 1893 when an anarchist set off two bombs on the season’s opening night, killing twenty people and severely damaging the new stage and seats. The most recent fire occurred in 1994, ignited by a spark that landed on a curtain during routine repairs. It remains unclear whether the ghosts of past tragedies are appeased or if another major fire is imminent…

Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi

Walking east from La Rambla along Carrer del Cardenal Casañas brings you to the tranquil Plaça del Pi, dominated by the imposing Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi with its towering 54-meter spire that attracts ghost hunters. Inaugurated in 1453, the church wasn’t completed until 1497 due to significant construction challenges, including frequently falling bricks and severe financial strains on the architect. Desperate, the architect allegedly struck a deal with the devil, trading his soul for help from the Devil to complete the tower. The architect agreed that the devil could claim his soul upon finishing the 100th step inside the tower. Construction then proceeded without further issues.

However, the architect cunningly halted construction at the 99th step, never completing the tower in his lifetime. He grew old and passed away before the tower could be finished. After his death, his sons continued the work and completed the tower, outsmarting the devil. Enraged at being outwitted, the devil stamped his hoof on the 99th step, leaving a mark to remind all who pass of his presence.

La Baixada de Santa Eulalia

Make your way along the Carrer de L’ave Maria and north Carrer dels Banys Nous, turning right onto La Baixada de Santa Eulalia. This street is named after one of Barcelona’s most revered saints, Santa Eulalia, but its naming stems from a grim chapter in history. It was here that a harrowing event unfolded. In 290 AD, Roman authorities were determined to suppress Christianity at any cost. Eulalia, then just thirteen years old, was known for her stubborn piety. When the governor demanded she renounce her Christian faith, she held firm, unwavering in her devotion. The governor was furious at being disobeyed by a child and sentenced her to thirteen different types of torture, one for each year of her young life.

The 13 Tortures of Santa Eulalia

Santa Eulalia endured thirteen horrific tortures as a punishment for refusing to renounce her Christianity. These tortures included imprisonment, being whipped, tearing off her skin, forced walk on burning embers, mutilation, rubbing her wounds with rough stones, branding with a hot iron, and having boiling oil and molten lead poured over her. Additionally, she was submerged in burning lime, locked in a flea-infested box, rolled down a hill in a barrel lined with sharp objects, and finally, crucified.

Despite enduring horrific tortures, Saint Eulalia remained steadfast, refusing to renounce her faith and affirming her devotion to Christianity until her final moments. Legend has it that her soul ascended to heaven accompanied by white doves upon her death, symbolizing her purity and martyrdom. This street is named after the saint and is reputed to be the location where she was tragically rolled down in a barrel.

The Alchemist House

Turn onto Carrer de Sant Sever and then right onto Calle de l’Arc de Sant Ramon. As you stroll, notice the faint outline of a door on the walls, bricked up long ago, sealing its secrets. This area was once the heart of Barcelona’s Jewish quarter. Here lived a Jewish alchemist and his daughter, known as the most beautiful girl in Barcelona. She secretly dated a handsome Christian knight, hiding the relationship from her father due to his potential disapproval until she was sure of her love.

The Poison Perfume

But the knight wasn’t so noble after all and wanted one thing and one thing alone for the girl. And we all know what that one thing is. The knight was furious when she refused him anything more than a kiss until marriage. After learning of a Jewish Alchemist nearby, the knight sought a lethal potion, claiming it was to seek vengeance for a faithless lover. Despite initial wariness, the alchemist succumbed to the allure of seven gold pieces and brewed a toxic perfume for the knight.

The knight returned the next night, secretly spraying the perfume on a bouquet and pretending to apologize to the girl. When she reached for the bouquet to smell it, she felt dizzy and asked the knight to take her home. When she recounted the incident to her father, he realized his unwitting role. Despite his desperate attempts to save her, she died in his arms. Overwhelmed with grief, the alchemist renounced magic and vanished into the woods, leaving his potions behind. Before he left, he cast a curse on the house’s door to ensure no one ever entered it again. Since then, the building has stood empty, haunted by tragedy.

Plaça de Sant Felip Neri

Walk back to the Calle de Salomó ben Adret and continue north towards the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri. Walking into this square, we are met with the definition of hauntingly beautiful. Beautiful architectural gems surround the leafy courtyard, and the central fountain bubbles in the moonlight. Facing the square is the church of Sant Felip Neri. Constructed in the 18th century, this petite Baroque church stands out from others in the city due to its stone facade riddled with bullet holes. Some are mere punctures, while others have gouged sizable portions from the building. For years, the cause of this damage fueled political speculation, but today, the truth behind the incident has come to light.

Spanish Civil War

Understanding a little about the Spanish Civil War is crucial for any visitor to Spain. From 1936 to 1939, a brutal conflict fueled by political unrest, economic struggles, and social disparities erupted. On July 17th, 1936, right-wing military officers, under General Francisco Franco’s leadership, initiated a coup against the democratically elected Second Spanish Republic. In contrast, the Republicans, comprising Socialists, Communists, and Anarchists, rallied to defend the Republic and advocate for progressive reforms.

The conflict rapidly intensified into a savage and bloody war, drawing support from foreign backers for both factions. It was characterized by fierce battles, atrocities, and devastating aerial bombardments. One particularly notorious event was the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica by German and Italian planes, claiming the lives of hundreds of civilians and serving as the inspiration for Pablo Picasso‘s renowned painting Guernica.

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General Franco declared victory, and on April 1, 1939, he established himself as the head of the Spanish state. Inaugurating a nearly 40-year dictatorship. The Franco regime, known as Francoist Spain, lasted until Franco died in 1975, when Spain transitioned to a constitutional monarchy and began its journey towards democracy. But the scars of the Spanish Civil War and Franco’s dictatorship continue to resonate today, and we can see the visible scars of this war right before our eyes.

The Bombing of Sant Felip Neri

During Franco’s rule, widespread propaganda falsely attributed the church’s damage to anarchist firing squads executing priests in the yard. However, a glance at the walls reveals the holes are too substantial for mere bullets. The truth is that on January 30th, 1938, Franco’s air force dropped a bomb on the city, likely at the very spot you stand. Many sought refuge in places like this church during the war, including a group of children tragically killed when the bomb struck, claiming 30 young lives. Rescuers rushed to save those trapped inside, but another bomb detonated, killing twelve more. A bronze plaque in the square memorializes the victims, evoking a chilling reminder of the dark history etched into these walls.

Gothic Quarter

Follow Carrer de Montjuïc del Bisbe as it winds its way into the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, also known as Barri Gòtic in Catalan. This historic neighborhood, Barcelona’s oldest, is a maze of narrow, twisting streets, hiding Roman ruins dating back over 2,000 years to the Roman settlement of “Barcino.” Despite its Roman origins, the neighbourhood is famous for its Gothic architecture, boasting numerous stunning medieval buildings, churches, and cathedrals that adorn the area’s cobblestone streets today.

El Pont Del Bisbe

One of the most photographed attractions in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is the stone bridge crossing Carrer del Bisbe. However, this bridge holds a wealth of stories and legends! Despite its Gothic aesthetics, it was actually constructed in 1928 as part of an urban renewal initiative to link the buildings on Carrer del Bisbe Irurita. As you walk beneath the bridge, pause to look at its underside. Concealed, there is a carving depicting a skull impaled by a dagger. Well, at least some believe it’s just a carving…

Others attest that this is a real human skull. The legend says that if the dagger is ever removed from the centre of the head, the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona will collapse. Other rumours state that architect Rubió I Bellver put the skull there to express his anger towards the city planners when they rejected his initial designs. One of the lighter bits of folklore that goes along with this bridge is that if you pass under the bridge and face the skull if you make a wish, it will be fulfilled! Try it for yourself; it can’t hurt to try!

Gargoyles of the Cathedral of Barcelona

Walking towards the enormous Cathedral of Barcelona, we stroll down Calle de Bisbe and quickly stop at the Plaça de Garriga I Bachs. Standing in this small square, look at the walls of the Cathedral on the east side of the court. Take particular interest in the gargoyles carved above the windows along the walls. While gargoyles are a common sight in churches, these particular gargoyles are the subject of ancient legend.

Legend has it that during the annual Corpus Christi celebration in the Middle Ages, groups of witches gathered in the streets surrounding Barcelona Cathedral, shouting and spitting at the processioners. They did this year after year until one day, they were miraculously turned to stone, transformed into petrified monstrous figures. Serving the church for eternity as punishment for their wicked behaviour. When passing by, if it happens to be raining, make sure to glance upward and check if the gargoyles are still unleashing their torrents upon unsuspecting pedestrians.

Cathedral of Barcelona

Head into the Placita de la Seu, where you have a majestic view of the incredible Cathedral of Barcelona spread out before your eyes. Its gothic spires silhouetted in the moonlight. The Cathedral of Barcelona, officially known as the Catedral de la Santa Creu I Santa Eulàlia, is named after the Christian martyr Saint Eulalia, whom we discussed before.

Carrer dels Comtes

Make your way around the north side of the Cathedral, down the Carrer dels Comtes. Stop along the Carrer dels Comtes just before you get to the entrance of the Frederic Marés Museum. On the left side of the alley, emblazed on the wall above the first floor, is an old insignia of the Spanish Inquisition. The insignia features a cross in the center with a sword on the right and an olive branch (a symbol of “justice”) on the left. This mark would have been announced to all those passing by the Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, and the cries of the prisoners they held captive within would have echoed throughout the narrow alley. Listen closely to see if you can’t still hear their ghostly echoes today.

The Spanish Inquisition

The Spanish Inquisition was one of the darkest chapters in Spain’s history. The Inquisition was a tribunal established by the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, in the late 15th century to enforce religious orthodoxy and combat heresy, mainly targeted at Jews, Muslims, and later Protestants. People accused of heresy, blasphemy, or witchcraft were also subjected to interrogations, torture, and public trials.

Before the Inquisition’s arrival, Barcelona was a multicultural and diverse city with a significant Jewish population. However, with the establishment of the Inquisition, many Jews were forced to convert to Christianity or face persecution and expulsion. While the Inquisition’s influence waned over time, its legacy persisted. Fear and suspicion remained deeply ingrained in the city’s psyche, affecting social dynamics and religious practices for years.

Plaça del Rei 

Continue southeast onto Baixada de Santa Clara. It is here you enter the grand courtyard of the Plaça del Rei. The name Plaça del Rei (Place of Kings) comes from its historical role as the residence of the Counts of Barcelona and later the Kings of Aragon. While the exterior is doubtlessly impressive, it hides within it a dark secret. During the Inquisition, the inquisitors sought the destruction of all things Jewish, including even their cemeteries. Look closely, as the stones from the facade are made of old tombstones stolen from Jewish cemeteries in Montjuic. 

Due to its proximity to the prisons, this square also hosted many a public execution and the infamous auto-da-fé. Auto-da-fé was a public tribunal and the final step in the Inquisition process. It consisted of a Catholic Mass, followed by a procession in which the convicted individuals, wearing tunics and pointed hats adorned with symbolic drawings representing their guilt, had their sentences publicly read aloud in the square.

Casa del Botxí

On the square’s northwest corner, a building with an arched wooden door and two small Juliette balconies stands. This was the Casa del botxí, or the Executioner’s Home. From this chilling vantage point, the executioner could have observed his victim being led up the scaffolding before he stepped out to perform his duty. The building, a stark reminder of the square’s grim past, is a testament to the horrors that unfolded here. So much pain and suffering would have been taken out on innocents in this place, and many say that you can still hear whispers and footsteps and even perhaps a shadowy figure darting off into the darkness.

This stop brings us to the end of our tour. Whether you felt a chill as you wandered through the Gothic Quarter or sensed the lingering presence of the past at an abandoned building, I hope this tour enriched your understanding of Barcelona, blending its celebrated culture with its mysterious, lesser-known narratives. As you make your way home, remember to tread softly—you might be walking alongside centuries-old secrets waiting to be rediscovered. 

Happy haunting Adventurers!

The post Barcelona’s Dark Secrets, the Ultimate Haunted Self-Guided Walking Tour first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the true stories behind the legends are a great way to learn more about this incredible city. Whether you’re an avid urban explorer or just someone looking for something unique to do during your stay in New York, this Greenwich Village Ghost Tour will help you discover all of the best haunts. And best of all, you get to go at your own pace. There are so many places along the way to rest your feet, so don’t be scared to take a break, or grab a drink at one of the many bars and cafes along the way!

About the Tour

This tour starts off in the eastern outskirts of Greenwich Village and ends aptly on the north tip of the neighbourhood, just off of Greenwich Avenue. The google map below will show you all the stops along the way! The walk will take around two hours, taken at a leisurely pace. Stop in a restaurant, grab a beer in a pub or even just sit and admire the architecture. Plus, you want all the chances you can get to see if you can spot a spectre!

There are plenty of spooky and scary stories along the way, so if you’re taking this tour with little kids you might want to pre-read through some of the stories. That way, you can decide for yourself if they are appropriate for your kids.

Map of Greenwich Village Ghost Tour

When To Do the Tour

The best time to do the tour is before dusk. Remember: New York is a big city. And like any big city, you need to keep your wits about you when walking around at night. But the tour is designed around popular locations in busy parts of the city. That way, you’re not somewhere totally out of the way late at night. You don’t want to start your walk too late at night. That way, you might miss out on being able to stop in for drinks along the way.

Obviously, “spooky season” (aka September and October) are the most atmospheric times to do the tour. The leaves change and cast a gorgeous yellow and orange hue across the brick brownstones. And the crisp Autumnal air sets the scene for ghostly apparitions. But if you don’t care about the time of year, you can absolutely take this Greenwich Village Ghost Tour whenever you are in town.

Quick History of Greenwich Village

The original marshland that now makes up Greenwich Village was called Sapokanikan by the indigenous people who were the first inhabitants of New York. Sapokanikan means “tobacco field” since the indigenous people used this rich land, close to the water, for their fields and crops. Greenwich Village was also a popular spot for fisherpeople as it was located next to a populated trout stream.

When the Dutch colonized the land, they renamed it New Amsterdam, after the original capital city in the Netherlands. At the time, this little hamlet was far from the dense city centre. When the English arrived, they battled for land and won it from the Dutch in 1664. But it wasn’t until 1713 that the colony was officially designated as “Grin’wich” in the public records. It was named after a popular neighbourhood in London.

Exodus to Greenwich

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, people were trying to escape the yellow fever epidemic that ravaged the centre of New York. So they fled to areas outside the epicentre, into rural communities like Greenwich. New blocks of rowhouses began to pop along previously uninhabited farmland. These new streets were designed in the popular Federal style. Houses were simple square or rectangular boxes, only two or three stories tall. Most New York Federal-style buildings were made of brick with cast or wrought iron handrails. The brick buildings that make up this part of the city are one of the most iconic features of the area. These houses were occupied mostly by middle-class merchants and tradespeople.

In 1833 the New York City University moved its campus to Greenwich. With all these academics in one central area grew a bohemian environment. Art galleries, literary salons, and libraries swept through to match demand. This beatnik enclave was marked by cheap rent, drawing more and more artists and immigrants to the area. And drove out the upper classes.

Bohemian Greenwich

In the late 19th century, Greenwich Village saw another huge growth spurt. This was with the influx of French, Irish, and Italian immigrants fleeing Europe during World War II. Factories began to pop up around the area where large expanses of land were still available. And these factories could easily be filled with immigrant workers living in the newly created tenements housing.

This free spirit and rowdy community were rich with speakeasies in the prohibition era of the 1920s. Which ironically attracted uptown patrons who couldn’t find anywhere to drink in their upper-crust neighbourhoods. Throughout the years, the neighbourhood became known for its counterculture attitudes and was a hub for political and cultural movements. In fact, it was here that the Stonewall riots were first started. Sadly, rising housing costs in the district drove out the artists that originally made it what it was. Today the neighbourhood remains one of the most architecturally and historically rich areas of New York City.

St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery

The first stop on our tour is notoriously one of the most haunted. At the intersection of 2nd and 10th Street, walk north until you see the giant silhouette of a church in the distance. This is the old St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery. As you approach, keep your ears peeled for the sounds of an old church bell ringing in the distance.

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Petrus Stuyvesant

The site for this first church in the area was purchased in 1652 by Petrus (Peter) Stuyvesant. Stuyvesant was the first of the colony of New Amsterdam. Stuyvesant was originally a great Dutch soldier. But during a battle against the Spanish, he was badly wounded and lost his leg. It was amputated and replaced with a wooden leg, giving him the nickname “Peg Leg Pete.” Because he could no longer fight, he was selected by the Dutch West India Company to go to New York. There he would serve as governor of one of their new colonies.

Stuyvesant built a small church on the site for himself and his family. After his accident, Stuyvesant was a melancholy man. He was also a religious man, and the church brought him much peace. Stuyvesant had purchased this specific property for his dwelling because it was located far away from the hustle and bustle of the “big city.” So it was much to his dismay, as the city continued to grow, that his once peaceful neighbourhood would soon be riddled with townhouses and noisy pedestrians.

Despite all this, Stuyvesant stayed put in his home, and when he died, he was buried beneath his chapel. In 1793 the original chapel was sold off to the village. But the community built an even more impressive Episcopal church in its place in 1795.

The Ghost of St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery

But soon after building the new and improved church, people started noticing strange occurrences happening inside. One day, the villagers were awoken by the tolling of the church bell. This would usually not be a strange noise, but this bell was ringing in the middle of the night. And it wouldn’t stop!

Everyone raced to the church to see what was the matter. But when they arrived, they found the door to the bell tower locked shut from the inside. When they finally broke down the door, the noise stopped. But the room was empty. And they looked up to find the bell’s rope had been cut. The only reachable part of the rope was way too far above the ground for anyone human to reach. Everyone was perplexed as to how the bell had been rung at all, let alone for hours.

The townsfolk searched the church for clues. Finally, they found the torn part of the rope lying atop Peter Stuyvesant‘s crypt. And as they were all standing around the crypt in silent horror, they heard the sound of Stuyvesant’s wooden leg echoing throughout the halls of the church. Today many people report still hearing the ghostly footsteps of Stuyvesant’s wooden leg throughout the church. See if you can hear it for yourself.

The Body Snatchers

Another interesting story from the churchyard revolves around the stone burial vault of Alexander Turney Stewart. When he died in April 1876, Alexander Turney Stewart was America’s third-richest man. Stewart made his fortune as a retailer. He was a hugely popular figure in the city, and his funeral was packed with the city’s cream of the crop. Writers, politicians, lawyers and more all came out to St. Mark’s Church on the Bowrey to pay their respects.

In October, six months after Stewart’s burial, the church sexton noticed that doors to the vault had been disbursed. When he looked inside, he noticed several vault slabs moved, but the tombs were still in place. The sexton was immediately suspicious, with fears of so-called “resurrection men.” He made sure to a night watchmen just in case the people who broke in tried to do it again.

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Resurrection Men

In the 1780s, grave robbing was on the rise. Originally grave robbing was mainly done for doctors to get their hands on “fresh” dead bodies. They used these to practice their trade and other medical experiments. But in 1870, the sensation of grave robbing was often done in search of ransom. Even Abraham Lincoln’s body was victim to an attempted robbery. Although thankfully, that was thwarted. But it was not uncommon for the bodies of wealthy men to fetch an acceptable price. Once the ransom was paid, the bodies would be returned.

The Theft of A. T. Stewart’s Body

Unfortunately, the watchmen the section hired failed at his one duty. And on the morning of November 7th, the sexton discovered the body of A. T. Stewart had been removed from his vault. Police arrived on the scene and were horrified by the brown blotches they found around the area. These were immediately identified as “pieces” of Stewart. Stewart had been dead for more than eight months and would have been in a terrible state of decomposition. So when the criminals left with the body, they left bits of the body trailing behind them as they fled. But the trail went cold, and the police had no leads.

Media Sensation

The newspapers ate up this media sensation. A reward of $25,000 was offered to the public for any information leading to the thief’s capture. Hundreds of letters poured in with theories, but none proved to provide any actual leads. In 1879 the attorneys for Stewart received a letter from Canada claiming to be the robbers. When the lawyers asked for proof, they provided several silver pieces of Stewart’s missing nameplate, also taken during the robbery. The lawyers tried negotiating with the thieves, but the trail eventually went cold. As perhaps the thieves were getting scared off, with talk of the robbery is all the papers.

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Walling’s Confession

A very contested private memoir from the police chief Walling in 1878 claimed that he was in communication with the real thieves. And he claimed to have negotiated with the criminals. With the help of Stewart’s wife, they met up at midnight on an abandoned pathway outside the Hudson Valley. The masked men arrived on horseback with a velvet coffin cloth from the tomb. And a bag of bones they claimed was Stewart’s.

The masked men handed them over in exchange for the money and rode off into the night. Walling claims the bones were taken by Stewart’s wife. In 1885, they were laid in the Cathedral of the Incarnation, where Stewart’s wife was buried. But many have refuted this claim as gossip and a way for Walling to make a few bucks on his memoir. No one will ever know the truth, but many people have claimed that the cemetery is haunted by the ghost of Stewart. Stewart is known to roam angrily around the church, furious about being torn from his grave. Many say if you smell something awful, like the piece of his body that was trailed behind, that is a sign Stewart is just around the corner.

McSorley’s Old Ale House

Head south along 2nd Avenue, turning west onto East 7th Street. Walk west along east 7th Street until you reach #15 where you’ll find the historic McSorley’s Old Ale House. McSorley’s is Manhattan’s oldest continuously run tavern! You definitely need to make a point to stop here inside to rest your legs and admire the decor and atmosphere, and get a drink! The darkened wood of the walls is almost stained with history. Along the interior, you’ll see an authentic old wanted poster for John Wilkes Booth. The chair hanging above the bar was the one that Abraham Lincoln himself sat in when he came in for a drink. And the handcuffs on the wall were apparently worn by Harry Houdini.

But what might lurk in the shadows among the displays are the ghosts of the tavern’s past. Bar staff have frequently seen their cats arching their backs and nuzzling into invisible hands. As if the ghost that comes every night is only there to give the cats a pet. So see if you can spot any cats who look particularly happy with no living soul around to be entertaining them.

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Merchant’s House Museum

Walk south down 3rd Avenue, and turn west down 4th street. At #29 stands an old brick mansion, sitting in between two large empty lots, ripe for new constructions. But the old mansion remains, sticking out like a sore thumb. The house was once owned by wealthy merchant Seabury Tredwell. It was built in 1832, and despite its age, if you walked inside, you’d find almost the entire house unchanged.

In the 250 years since its construction, the house appears as if no time has passed. This is because the house is now a city-owned museum. It aimed at presenting to the public the personal lives of upper-class families living in New York in the 19th century. Throughout the museum are hundreds of personal objects from the Treadwell family. And supposedly, one descendant, in particular, doesn’t like when you touch her things. This would be their youngest daughter, Gertrude Tredwell.

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Gertrude’s Ghost

Gertrude was a spinster who lived out her entire Iife inside the house. She was born here in 1840 and died in 1933. Gertrude had seven siblings, two brothers and five sisters. While the rest of her family grew up and got their own families, Gertrude remained alone. Gertrude had one real chance at love, but sadly, the affair was broken up by her Episcopalian father, who refused to let Gertrude marry a poor Irishman. As she grew older and became a spinsterhood, she became more and more eccentric. She seemed to care only for the house, with nothing left in her own life to care for. She was constantly obsessing with ensuring the house maintained its elegance. Even as she herself fell into financial ruin.

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Her sad fate supposedly inspired Henry James‘ novel Washington Square Park, about a woman whose father attempts to thwart her romance with another man. After Gertrude’s death, the house was passed down to her cousin. But, knowing how much Gertrude protected the history of the house, the cousin was able to sell the house and all its contents to the city. Who saved it from foreclosure by turning it into a museum.

Since becoming a museum, the staff have seen the ghostly figure of Gertrude roaming the halls. She loved nothing more than to make loud noises whenever “her” objects were being moved. See if you can spot her in the window, peering down on the street. She is often seen looking out the window, always watching out for her beloved home.

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Furman Hall

Leaving 4th Street behind, we’ll head down to 3rd Street. Walk west down the street and continue walking until you reach the corner of #85 West 3rd Street. This building is the residence for NYU students, Furman Hall. Unfortunately for the students, we find ourselves at another haunted residence. But this building is a real literary treasure of the city. It was here where Edgar Allen Poe lived when he wrote his infamous poem, The Raven.

Preserving Poe’s House

Back then, the buildings along West 3rd Street were made up of a series of brick rowhouses. During Poe’s time in his rowhouse, he lived with his beloved wife (and cousin) Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe. Virginia suffered from Tuberculosis, but this, combined with the stress from Poe’s scandalous activities, caused her untimely death. After her death, Poe moved out of the house and to his cottage in the Bronx. Partly to escape the madness he began to suffer after her death. When the house was set to be demolished in 2001, 70 scholars from NYU fought to preserve it. They wanted to keep Poe’s legacy within New York alive for future literary fans to appreciate for years to come.

But the building was simply in too bad of a state to be restored, and even renovation would be near impossible. As a compromise, the entire front facade of the house was cut out and preserved. It was then integrated into the new building at #85 West 3rd Street. Standing opposite the new building, even those who might not know the whole story can clearly notice the rather strange-looking addition to the facade. You can really see the difference between the salmon-coloured bricks from the original facade and the deeper red-coloured bricks from the new building surrounding it. But both brick patterns were laid out in the rinning-bond pattern to create unity between the two structures. If you walk up to the small front door on the outside of the building, you can see a plaque dedicated to the famous writer explaining the whole story.

Ghost of Edgar Allan Poe

Another architectural element preserved from the original building was a wooden banister. Today, it stands in the entryway to Furman Hall. Many students have reported seeing the ghost of Edgar Allen Poe walking up and down the staircase, holding onto the railing. Often, the students report seeing him one minute and yet gone the next. Edgar Allan Poe was a deeply troubled soul, and the death of his beloved wife marred him perhaps more than all the other events in his life. So it is without a doubt that this place would be an important spot where his spectre would return. Wandering up the stairs, holding onto the railings, and looking out the windows, for that raven, nevermore.

#84 West 3rd Street

Right across the street, at #84 West 3rd Street, you can see the gorgeous facade of an old Fire House. The house has since been transformed into a grand private residence for none other than news anchor Anderson Cooper! But Anderson must be a pretty brave owner as this building is known to be haunted by the ghost of Firefighter Schwartz.

During its time as a firehouse, firefighters would constantly report seeing a man’s ghostly figure hanging from the attic rafters. The story goes that this was the ghost of a firefighter who once worked here in the 1930s. After discovering that his wife was having an affair, he hung himself from the rafters, unable to cope with the betrayal. Ever since, workers reported hearing noises and creaking coming from that attic. As if his body was still swinging from those rafters. The large windows frame the upper-level beam with light at night so keep an eye out to see if you can see the ghost still hanging from above.

Washington Square Park

Walking north, you only have to go so far before you hit Washington Square Park. This site is perhaps one of the most popular destinations for tourists coming to New York City. It’s known for its communal atmosphere, with musicians and artists surrounding the fountain at all times of the day. Entertaining the masses that collect here to sit around the fountain or relax on the benches that surround it.

Potter’s Field

But few tourists, and many locals, might not know when they are walking onto the square because below them lies over 20,000 bodies. Buried right under their feet. In the 1780s, the city purchased a parcel of eight acres of land to be converted into a large potter’s field. A potter’s field was the old term for a common grave site. The bodies buried in these types of graveyards were often those of criminals, the destitute, or even those who could not be buried in a church cemetery for religious reasons.

Yellow Fever Epidemic

But in the late 18th century, the epidemic of yellow fever hit New York City. The spread of the virus was most prevalent in the centre of Manhattan, and it claimed thousands of lives. But what to do with so many bodies? And bodies that were thought to still be infected. The answer was to bury them in graves far outside the city centre in the hopes of preventing further spread. So the potter’s field out in what is now Washinton Square Park was selected as the prime location.

Transformation into Washington Square Park

The cemetery was closed in 1825, and the ground was quickly paved to create the Washington Military Parade Ground. Seemingly overnight, the area was transformed from a haunting burial ground to a fashionable residential area. Fountains, pathways and gardens were added to the beautification of the park. And in 1889, to celebrate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration, an enormous stone Memorial Arch was built in his memory. Modelled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

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Ghosts of Washington Square Park

But despite the visual changes to the area over the years, there is no use in ignoring the fact that this beautiful parks stands atop a mass grave. And ghosts have certainly not forgotten. People have reported feeling a freezing cold chill run down their spine even on hot summer days. And if you spot a woman dressed in 18th clothes walking by, only to disappear a moment later, you surely have spotted one of the “local” residents.

Another rumour tells the story of a local store owner who would see a woman in dishevelled clothing coming into his shop, begging for milk for her child. After taking the milk, she would quickly run outside. One day, the store owner followed her out. She ran into the park, and the horrified store owner watched as she disappeared into the dirt ground below.

Hanging Tree

But it is not just the bodies of those taken by the virus that haunts the ground here. The park was also home to a great Hangman’s Elm. The old tree still stands on the northwest corner of the park. The elm tree dates back more than 300 years and is considered one of the oldest surviving trees in Manhattan. There are tales that the tree may have been used for public executions, but there is no truth to this rumour. Its spooky appearance perhaps gives it a bad reputation. Only one public execution was ever known to have taken place here in Washington Square park. And it occurred with the use of a gallows, not by the tree.

Rose Butler

The victim of this sole execution was a young woman named Rose Butler. Rose was executed in 1820 for the shockingly benign crime of arson. Rose was only 19 years old and an enslaved woman living in the household of a nearby family. Her only crime was setting fire to the wooden steps of her owner’s house.

Police claimed she had “confessed” to setting the fire in the hopes that she could trap her enslavers inside the house. And burn them alive. But many doubt the truth of this story. Rose was sentenced to death for a minor crime where no one was injured, and the damage to the stairs was barely even noticeable. The fire put out with a small bucket of water. Her unjust death, is a clear marker of the racism that black people were subjected to. And still are to this day. In 1827, slavery in New York was abolished, just seven years after Rose’s execution.

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The Ghost of Rose Butler

Rose was buried in the same spot where she was executed, the last person buried in this potter’s field. Rose’s ghost is known to haunt the park. Some claim to see her swinging from the hangman’s elm. Others have been known to see her apparition walking through the park. Often lingering under the shadow of the elm tree. If you do come across her ghost, be sure to pay her some respect. As the last person buried here she is often thought of as the proprietor of the burial grounds. And so perhaps she is still walking about, monitoring and looking after her fellow departed.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Walk through the park, east along Washington Place, to #23 where we find the Brown Building and the sight of the old Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. In this very building, the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of the city and one of the deadliest in U.S. history occurred.

As it was originally named, the Asch Building was constructed here in 1900 in a fabulous neo-Renaissance style. It was made in the most popular material of the time, iron and steel. These newly manufactured materials were all the rage as they were meant to be “fireproof.” Unlike the brick and wooden buildings of years past that would instantly be destroyed in a large fire, these iron buildings were thought to be able to withstand even the strongest blaze.

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Triangle Shirtwaist Company

These so-called “fireproof” buildings were very attractive to factory owners, especially those in the textile industry. Fires weren’t uncommon at the time, and the price to either rebuild or renovate after a fire was sometimes enough to bankrupt a company. The Triangle Shirtwaist Company manufactured women’s blouses and occupied the top three floors of the Asch Building. Most employees who worked here were young, Jewish, Italian, Russian, and German female immigrants. And although they came to the United States in search of a better life, they were almost immediately taken advantage of upon arrival. Even today, the garment industry’s underpaid labour is a huge ethical issue. And sadly, in the past, things were even worse.

The Life of a Factory Workers in 1911

Workers here were unpaid, overworked, and often as young as 14 years-old. But worst of all, they were subjected to awful working environments. The upper floors of the building had almost no ventilation, and the heat would have been unbearable in the summers. But worse, freezing cold in the winter. Being a textile factory, the rooms were filled with the most flammable objects you could bring together. Tissue paper, linen, cloth, and cotton cuttings were strung all over the floor and even hung from the ceiling above.

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March 25th, 1911

On March 25th, 1911, someone dropped a single match in the northeast corner of the 8th floor. No doubt, the poor freezing soul was just trying to keep warm on a cold winter’s day or perhaps lighting a cigarette as their only means of relaxation. In seconds the floor was aflame. And spread in an instant throughout the entire factory floor, igniting all the scraps that were strewn across the ground. There could be no better environment for fire to spread.

Women on the 8th floor rushed towards the exit doors. Although there were technically two exit stairwells, one was locked shut as a means to prevent theft by the workers. So only one stairwell was able to be used for escape. The remaining stairwell inside was a death trap. Since the building was always overcrowded, well past legal capacity, the escape became a log jam as people scrambled to get out. Many women were crushed to death in the stairwells, long before the fire even reached them.

Falling to their Deaths

It only took a few minutes before the fire spread to the 9th floor. But with the chaos ensuing below, no one could warn those above. When the fire erupted above, some women were able to escape using the freight elevators. But eventually, these elevators became overcrowded and the elevators unusable. When the women on the 9th and 10th floors went to use the stairwells to escape, they found them consumed with fire. The last option for survival was the fire escape on the outside of the building. But unfortunately, the outer stairs were flimsy and poorly anchored to the iron structure. So when these hoards of women tried to scramble down, the heat and extra weight caused the stairs to collapse, and about 20 women fell to their deaths onto the concrete, exactly where you’re standing below.

The women left upstairs who witnessed this horrifying scene could do nothing but wait. They saw the firefighters arrive on the scene, but their ladders could only reach the 6th floor. While they tried to use their hoses to put out the blaze, the flames were too strong to be so easily snuffed out. Many trapped women standing on the edge of the windows were forced to jump. Killed by the nine-storey fall. Many died from smoke inhalation as they could not escape from the fire.

When the fire was finally put out, there were nothing left inside but ashes. But the building’s structure was undamaged. The iron and steel were indeed “fireproof,” but sadly for the victims, this didn’t apply to them. Over 123 women and young girls died in the blaze, along with 23 men.

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The Aftermath

The owners of the factory, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris, managed to escape the fire. But they were not able to escape prosecution for their negligence. After the traumatic deaths of all these women, a rush of protests occurred throughout the city. These resulted in a huge change in legalization and for better safety standards for workers. It even was the catalyst for the creation of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union.

Ghosts of the Fire

Today, students report seeing countless ghosts throughout the building. The ninth floor of the building is where the most people died and is, therefore, the most haunted. The phantom screams of women echo from the top three floors late at night. A famous ghostly couple is often seen in a final embrace beside the window. They are seen standing together before jumping to their deaths, hand in hand. There have been ghostly apparations seen fleeing down the corridors, still trying to outrun the fire.

In the stairwells where so many women were met with a locked door, the door handles still seem to shake and jiggle, as if a phantom hand is still trying to get them open. And in another stairwell, the sound of running footsteps is often heard.

Above the elevator, on the 9th floor, there is a mirror that student says reflects the living and the dead. People have reported seeing a woman dressed in Victorian garb staring back at them in the mirror. But when they turn around, there is no one there. Listen carefully as you stand outside in the dark. People say that you can still hear the ghostly crackle of the fire that burns in the memory of this place forever.

#18 W 11th St

Walk north, turning onto 5th Avenue. Continue until you reach 11th Street. Before heading to the stops on 10th Street, we’re going to make a quick stop at #18 West 11th Street. The building stands out amongst the other classical buildings due to its unique appearance. You might not notice it from far away, but as you get closer, you’ll see how the facade of the house is diagonally indented. But it’s not its architectural uniqueness that brings us here today, but the incredible events which took place in 1970.

The Weather Underground

Back then, the house was owned by James Wilkerson. But at the time, he was letting his daughter, Cathy Wilkerson, stay at the property while he was away. Little did he know that his daughter was a prominent member of the Weather Underground group. The Weather Underground was a radical left-wing militant organization. So prolific at the time, it was named as a domestic terrorist group by the FBI. They originally started as a group of students from the Democratic Society. Their goal was to create a revolutionary party to overthrow American imperialism.

But their intentions turned violent in the 70s, and the group started a targeted bombing campaign. It aimed to destroy government buildings and large banks. It was in this house that several group members were set up, building bombs in the basement. No one could have suspected such activity was going on behind an otherwise innocent-looking middle-class brownstone.

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Bomb Explosion

While assembling the bomb, it was accidentally set off, causing an enormous explosion. Two members in the basement were killed instantly, and another outside the room would die from his wounds later that evening. Cathy had just been returning home and, once witnessing the explosion, fled the scene. She avoided capture for more than a decade but eventually surrendered in 1980.

A fascinating twist to the story was that actor Dustin Hoffman lived just next door! When the explosion happened, Hoffman was captured by the newspaper, fleeing his home. Since his house was one of the adjoining houses, it also caught fire. So Hoffman was caught running in and out of his house, carrying large pieces of precious artwork in the hope of saving them from the flames.

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Restoration of the House

The house was left vacant for years, the scars of the deaths that occurred here too fresh for anyone to want to move right in. Architects went about trying to restore the damage to the home. The heritage department prevented any kind of visual renovations to all the other houses on this street as they pre-date 1845. But since this home has been so badly damaged, there was a dire need for repair. The architects didn’t want to simply restore it back to the exact design of the original home. They felt they needed to honour what happened here not just hide it all away.

So they came up with the idea to create these angular and modernist bay windows that seems to cut into the fabric of the building. Almost exploding out of the frame. It was a pretty hotly contested design, but eventually, after time passed, the house was repurchased. And people began to forget the event ever happened. But the angry ghosts of those radical victims who never got to carry out their horrible deeds are known to still wander the streets. The ghostly echoes of the explosion still reverberate in the glass. So listen closely on hauntingly dark and quiet evenings to the sounds of the house that still cries out.

Church of the Ascension

Head back to 5th Avenue and walk down to the intersection of 5th and 10th, where you’ll find the gothic revival-style Church of the Ascension. One of the church’s unique aspects is that even at night, the stained-glass windows are illuminated. Giving the building a haunting effect, glowing brightly in the darkness. But the windows are not just a beautiful aspect of the church, but the spectral reason that brings us here today.

John La Farge

The windows were designed by artists John La Farge. La Farge was an innovative American painter, muralist, and writer, but most famous for his imaginative stained glass windows. After completing the window design, the church Parish was so impressive that they commissioned him to paint an enormous arched mural. This mural would be the central focus of the entire nave. The canvas he used was enormous, almost as wide as the church itself. When he completed the painting, hanging it up inside proved to be a big challenge. According to the legend, when the installers came to hang the mural, it fell off the wall, crashing down to the floor. It’s said that the same moment the mural crashed to the ground, La Farge passed away. As if the two incidents were eerily linked.

La Farge’s Ghost

La Farge lived just down the street at Tenth Street Studio Building. Ever since his death, multiple residents have seen La Farge’s ghost wandering the down the street and into his beloved church. Lights have been turned on, and doors unlocked. Many people have seen his ghostly figure, and he even appeared to people during seances when called upon. Keep an eye out for his shadow in the illuminated stained glass windows as he is frequently seen floating past.

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The House Of Death

Across the street from the church is perhaps one of the most haunted buildings in all of New York. You’d never known it from the classical brownstone’s appearance, looking just the picture of regal New York architecture. The house was built just before the civil war in the 1850s and has barely changed since. But since it is so old, it has seen its fair share of deaths over the years. There are reports of over 22 different ghosts who are said to appear to the residents of the building. All of these chilling happenings lend to the house’s nickname, The House of Death.

Many people believe that traumatic circumstances are the cause of ghostly appearances. But sometimes, even the presence of ghosts can cause these incidents, causing a knock-on effect. Various paranormal investigators who have visited the building have seen the ghost of a young child, an aborted fetus, a gray cat and a lady dressed in white. But the most famous ghost residing here is that of famous write, Mark Twain. A small bronze plaque is located on the outside of the building to mark Twain’s official stay.

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Twain’s Ghost

Mark Twain lived here for only a year in 1900. But even in that short amount of time, he claimed to have experienced some supernatural occurrences. But Twain was a skeptic, but one night, while sitting near the fire, he saw a piece of wood kindling moving all by itself. Floating in the air. He thought it was caused by a rodent and even shot at the wooden log. Blood appeared from the bullet hole, but no rodent was ever found. Despite being a skeptic, the strange occurrences were enough to cause his quick exodus from the building. Twain died ten years later at age 74 in Connecticut.

In 1930, a mother and daughter moved into the house. They almost immediately experienced the first sighting of Twain’s ghost, sitting near the window. He turned to them and said, “My name is Clemens, and I have a problem here. I gotta settle.” Clearly, despite dying in Connecticut, something was bringing Twain back to this site. Something left unfinished.

Jan Bryant Bartell

Years after Twain’s death, the house became home to actress and writer Jan Bryant Bartell. As soon as she moved in, Bartell began to experience paranormal sightings. This includes noises in the walls, and visions of a ghostly woman in white woman seen in the windows. She also would increasingly smell putrid aromas throughout the house. And could never find the source. But worse than anything else, was this constant feeling of a presence nearby. Even when she was alone in the house, she felt like someone was watching. One day, while searching for this presence, she saw the ghostly figure of Twain himself. He was standing on the stairs, dressed in his white suit. Staring straight thru her.

The Steinberg Case

But the most horrible event inside the House of Death was the murder of a helpless 6-year-old girl. In 1987 former attorney Joel Steinberg beat his adopted six-year-old daughter Elizabeth “Lisa” so badly that she fell into a coma. Unfortunately, little Lisa died in hospital a few days later from her injuries. Despite being convicted of manslaughter, at the time in New York State, first-degree murder applied only to those who killed police officers. Or had committed murder while already serving a sentence for a previous murder. So the jury could only convict Steinberg to the maximum penalty of 8 to 25 years in prison.

Despite NEVER claiming any remorse for the murder, Steinberg was released on parole in 2004 and is still living in Harlem. The relatively short stay in prison is an unjust reality compared to the cruelty of his actions. Today, the young girl’s ghost is known to cause the lights on the floor where she was killed to go on and off at various times when no one is home. A sign that the girl is still there, waiting for real justice to be served.

Emma Lazarus House

Just two doors down, at #18, is the Emma Lazarus House. Emma Lazarus is perhaps best known for her poem, The New Colossus. The poem is emblazoned on a pedestal beneath the Statue of Liberty. The poem goes, “Give me you’re tired, your poor/ Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Emma was a talented child right from the jump. Her father, a Jewish immigrant and wealthy sugar merchant, moved into the Italianate-style residence in 1883. Emma couldn’t attend school as a girl, but she was well taught by many private tutors. And when she was just 20 years old, she began writing poems. Some of which were actually published in newspapers all around New York.

Emma was also very outspoken about the rights and struggles of Jewish immigrants. She aimed to help new immigrants when they moved to the city and immersed herself in helping others. Emma never married; perhaps she already felt like she was a mother to many other families. Sadly, she fell ill at only 38 from what we now suspect to be lymphoma. She died shortly after returning home to New York from a European trip. But she never could find a way to leave her beloved home. And her ghost is known to roam the house halls even today. Her figure is often seen walking past the windows at night, looking out at the street below.

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43 W 10th St

Continue walking east along 10th street until you reach #43. This building was the original location of the old Tenth Street Studio. The Tenth Street Studio was La Farge’s original residence. And the place from which his ghost is often thought to emerge at night. Wandering down the street, heading towards the church. So be sure to keep an eye out for him as you pass by.

The Jefferson Market Library

Stepping out from 10th Street onto 6th Avenue, you are immediately overwhelmed by the sight of the most unbelievable architectural wonders of New York City; the Jefferson Market Library. Although it might look like a church, the building was originally designed in 1870 as a Victorian Gothic courthouse. Unlike today, most courthouses of the time housed their prisons inside the same building. The basements of courthouses were where prisoners awaiting trial would be locked away.

By the 1940s, the courthouse was closed, and the building was saved from demolition by being transformed into a public library. But ever since it became a public space, people have seen the ghost of a woman roaming the library halls. Particularly, she loves to lurk around the fire watcher’s balcony windows and wave to people below. If you spot her, try waving back. Perhaps she is just lonely and yearning for someone to give her back some affection. Many people speculate that she is the ghost of a wrongly accused prisoner who may have died in prison. And who today continues to wander the building, yearning for justice.

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Gay Street

Turn down 6th Avenue, and walk south for one block until you reach Christopher Street. Head east down Christopher Street until you reach the tiny, tucked away lane marked “Gay Street.” Gay Street is one of the most iconic streets in Greenwich Village. But despite what you might immediately think when looking at a street called “gay” at the time when the street was named, the word had nothing to do with homosexuality. It was actually named after the land owner, R. Gay, who was given ownership of the land in 1775. The narrow lane was originally used as a stable alley for horses. But in 1833, the lane was widened, and houses began to be built up around it. Only by coincidence was Gay Street, located in the heart of the Gay and Lesbian neighbourhood that grew in the 1970s and 80s.

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Ghosts of Gay Street

But the haunted nature of the street dates back even before the street had a proper name. Back when the area was still a part of the Dutch Colony, it was owned by Wouter Van Twiller. Twiller built a morgue and brewery in this very spot. As it was then on the city’s outskirts, these two smelly establishments were perfectly suited to be on the fringes. But from day one, death seemed to hang heavy in the streets. With local residents claiming to see the ghosts of the corpses fresh from the morgue still wandering the streets.

The Gay Street Phantom

In the early 20th century, Gay Street became a popular spot for the city’s black residents, many of whom were musicians. And with great music came great parties! During prohibition, Gay Street was a popular spot for speakeasies, as the street was not only off the beaten path but also quite tucked away from the main roads. The parties of the 1920s roared down the narrow lane. And one of the partygoers seems to have never left. They call him the Gay Street Phantom. The Phantom is frequently seen walking down the street dressed in his dapper black cloak and large top hat.

12 Gay Street, Manhattan

The quaint brick townhouse with pale blue shutters at #12 Gay Street was once home to one of the most famous speakeasies; the Pirate’s Den. The Pirate’s Den was opened during prohibition as a theatrical buccaneer-themed establishment and a popular hang-out for then-local Mayor Jimmy Walker. Before he was a mayor, Walker actually wrote the music for broadway shows and his love for the theatre never waned. And neither did his love for chorus girls. Despite being a married man, he became so obsessed with one particular Ziegfeld showgirl, Betty Compton. He was so enamoured with her that he set her up with a small apartment inside #12 where she could live as his mistress and eventually be his wife.

Today, the house is rumoured to be home to Walker’s ghost. The ghost is known to still walks about the house, the upper levels’ floorboards creaking at night when no known is at home on those levels. His spirit must have clung to these streets, wishing to return to a better time when life was all about fun and frivolity. Walker’s time as mayor was marred with scandals and corruption. Life was easier when he was just a broadway tunes writer.

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Marie’s Crisis Café

Walking west, turn down Grove Street to #59, where we find Marie’s Crisis Café. Marie’s Crisis Cafe is a lively piano bar built atop the site of Thomas Paine’s home. Thomas Paine was an English-born political activist. Despite his English origins, he was one of the most influential writers who drove the ideals of the American Revolution into the hearts of the people of New York City. One of his most famous pieces of writing was called the “Crisis Papers,” hence the bar’s name. Shortly after the American Revolution in 1809, Paine died inside his beloved home. Despite all his work to fight for the revolution, his oppositional opinions on institutionalized religion drove him to be ostracized by his peers. And sadly, only six people attended his funeral.

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After Paine’s death, the area around the house fell into disrepute, and the home was transformed into a popular brothel. It wasn’t until the late 1850s, during prohibition, that the building served as a speakeasy. After prohibitions were dismantled, the bar continued its operations, this time more public-facing. It continues to be one of the most entertaining places in town. With hundreds of people gathering nightly to sing Broadway tunes around a grand piano. Paine’s ghost is known to still haunt the building. But happily, unlike at the end of his life when he drove everyone away, today he is surrounded by dozens of friendly faces inside Marie’s Crisis Café.

One if by Land, Two if by Sea

Walk across 7th Street, which cuts diagonally across the village. Take a turn east down Barrow street towards the restaurant named One if by Land, Two if by Sea. The building now houses one of New York’s most illustrious and elegant restaurants, but when it was first built in 1790, it was used as a horse stable. But not just any stable; it was the stable house for none other than now star of the Broadway stage, Aaron Burr. The current restaurant owners pay tribute to the American politician by hanging horseshoes, hitching posts and other antiques they found within the house on the restaurant’s walls.

Aaron Burr’s Home in New York

Aaron Burr owned a swath of land just a few streets west at #17 Commerce Street, but while that home was being built, he moved into the carriage house with his daughter after his wife died. His daughter, Theodosia, was the apple of his eye. And the two spent many good years together inside this quaint home. But sadly, after that fateful dual against Alexander Hamilton, which ended in Hamilton’s untimely death, Burr fell sharply out of the popular political circles in New York. Burr was forced to sell off much of his property, including the carriage house.

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After its sale, the house was converted into an engine house for the next-door firehouse. And like many of the buildings we’ve been to throughout our Greenwich Village ghost tour, in the 1890s, the house was (you guessed it) transformed into a brothel and speakeasy. This building was especially useful as a speakeasy because it housed an underground passageway. The passage provided access to the shores of the Hudson River. This meant it was easy to sneak in and out of illegal goods. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the home was purchased as a restaurant and opened back up to the public.

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The Ghosts of Aaron and Theodosia Burr

But even after all this passage of time and changing faces of the building, Aaron Burr and his beloved daughter are known to meet here in the afterlife. It was here that they both shared so many warm memories, and it is no surprise that they would want to return. Theodosia also suffered a terrible fate. On her way home to New York, the ship she sailed home in disappeared. Many people think pirates kidnapped the girl; others believe the ship sank in a terrible storm. Whatever the case, her body was never recovered, which drove Burr into a despair from which he could never rebound.

Theodosia’s ghost is known to wear a long black gown and stand at the top of the stair, looking down at the guests below. She is also known to go up to some women inside and pull at their beautiful earrings. Perhaps trying to acquire them for herself.

Burr, on the other hand, is perhaps slightly more angry at all these people seemingly taking up residence inside “his” house. Waiters have been known to be shoved down the stairs late at night or see plates flying across the walls as if thrown by spectral hands. Lights are known to flicker on and off after the restaurant has closed. Picture frames are often found off kilter in the morning when the manager opens the restaurants despite no one being inside.

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Chumley’s

Continue walking west along Barrow Street, turning north on Bedford Street to #86 Bedford Street. Here we find ourselves outside the blank stone facade of what was once of the most popular bars in the city; Chumley’s. Long before it hosted such notable figures as Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck and F. Scott Fitzgerald, the building served as the community’s blacksmith back in 1831. It wasn’t until 1922 that Leland Stanford Chumley converted the building into his covert speakeasy.

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86’ed

There isn’t even a remnant of any old signage indicating where the old bar once was because the original speakeasy had to be as low profile as possible. Even after prohibition was abolished, they kept up the tradition, and only those “in the know” could find the bar. It is rumoured that the term “86’ed” actually comes from life at Chumley’s. During prohibition, the speakeasies paid off police certain officers to ensure they would be informed about any raids in the areas. The officers would call the bartender and tell them to “86 your customers” as a code word to get them to evacuate the customer before police arrived. They used the word “86” since back then, the address of #86 Bedford was actually the back door to the bar. The primary entrance was located on the other side, in the Pamela Courtyard.

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The Ghosts of Chumley’s

The first person known to die inside the fabled bar was writer Clinton Curtis. He was involved in a bar brawl that resulted in his throat being cut by an angry seaman. The cause of the brawl? A rather intense game of chess, of all things! Curtis’ ghost frequents the bar, still looking for chess partners to play with.

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After Leland Chumley’s death, the bar was inherited by his wife, Henrietta. But Henrietta fell victim to the call of the alcohol that flowed so freely inside the bar. She died in 1960, sitting inside her favourite booth. Her ghost is still said to haunt that very same booth today. Still drunk as a skunk, her spirit is often heard knocking over shelves, smashing glasses and even drinking up half-empty beers left on the tables.

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Chumley’s was forced to close in 2007 after a load-bearing wall collapsed inside. After extensive renovations, it reopened shortly in 2016. But was forced to close its doors once more during the Covid pandemic. The thirsty ghosts still reside inside, awaiting Chumley’s triumphant return, when they can dine with the living once more!

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The Church of St. Luke in the Fields

Crossing over Grove Street towards Hudson Street, you find yourself face to face with the rather quaint exterior of the Church of St. Luke in the Fields. The church dates back to 1820, when it was built in the image of an old English village church by the local community around here. The church was named after Saint Luke, the patron saint of physicians and surgeons. 

Saint Luke

As mentioned when visiting Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village was a safe refuge from yellow fever that plagued the inner city. So the church was built in St. Luke’s name in the hopes he would protect this new community. Later, in the 1980s, at the height of the AIDS crisis, the church once more did right by its namesake. They created the AIDS Project, which provided Saturday dinners and weekend teas to tens of thousands of people afflicted by the disease.

Ghost of Clement Clarke Moore

The most famous ghostly resident whose grave can be found in the cemetery is of Clement Clarke Moore. You might not immediately recognize the name, but you will know the story he penned, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Moore even first read the poem to the congregation here at the church. Moore loved his church. He was the only child of a wealthy family, so he spent much of his fortune funding the church. He even used the wood from his orchard to help rebuild the church after a fire.

After his death, many claimed to see his spirit inside the church every Sunday. But Moore is the definition of a “friendly ghost.” Many liken his personality to that of Santa Claus himself. Many have seen his spectre singing here at Christmas along with the carolers, as the festive season was always his favourite time of year. People have also reportedly heard the organ being played late into the night. Moore banging out Christmas tunes which echo throughout the empty nave. So listen closely as you pass by to see if you can hear him at play.

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White Horse Tavern

Continue north along Hudson Street towards the old White Horse Tavern. The White Horse Tavern touts itself as the second oldest bar in New York, opening in 1880 under the name Longshoremen’s Bar. But the tavern wouldn’t fall into the history books until the 1950s and 60s, when it became a popular hangout for New York City’s most prolific writers and musicians. Being frequented by Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Norman Mailer, Bob Dylan and Jim Morrison.

The Ghost of Dylan Thomas

But most notably for our purposes, the White Horse Tavern is where people often see the ghost of poet Dylan Thomas. When Thomas was visiting New York, he came to this tavern and drank over 18 shots of whiskey. It was a triumphant record for him. He later that night returned to the Chelsea Hotel, bragging about his accomplishment at the famed White Horse Tavern.

But that would be one of the last happy memories for Thomas, as he was suffering from a severe lung infection. Only days after visiting the White Horse Tavern, he died at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Thomas’ ghost is known to return to the tavern, sitting at the bar, sneaking shots of whiskey. Perhaps trying his best to beat his own record. He even has a favourite corner table where guests have most frequently seen his spirit. This is a great place to stop in for a drink to see if you can spot him for yourself.

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Waverly Inn

The last stop on our tour can be found after a short walk east along West 11th Street. At #16 Bank St., we see the picturesque brick exterior housing the old Waverly Inn. The house was initially built in 1884 and served as a tavern and a bordello. Surprise, surprise. After the original tavern closed, the building was converted into a carriage house for the wealthy owners of the homes nearby.

But, the 1920s prohibition era brought the saloon back to life, reopening as a “teahouse.” Teahouses were the nickname many people gave to keep speakeasies a secret. It was one of the most upscale speakeasies of the time. It was even frequented by American poets Robert Frost and Edna St. Vincent May. In 2006, the restaurant was purchased by Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Graydon Carter. Carter would transform the restaurant from a classic tavern to full-on 5-star dining with a wait list full of celebrity names!

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The Firebug Ghost

But the most frequent guest at the Waverly Inn is their seasoned spectre. Many reports see the apparition of a man dressed in a 1920s-style waistcoat and black top hat. He is often seen lurking in the shadows around the inn’s many old fireplaces. But he doesn’t just like to look; many people have nicknamed the spectre the “firebug” ghost as he is known to light the tinders left in the fireplaces when no one is looking. The fire pokers are seen moving as if by phantom hands as he tends to his beloved fires around the building.

Unfortunately, he is not always so careful with the fires he lights. In 1997, a fire broke out in the middle of the night inside the restaurant. After firefighters arrived and put out the blaze, they could find no sign of accelerants to have started the fire. No electrical outlet had sparked, and there were no combustibles on the scene that could have started the fire. They were left totally perplexed, and yet to everyone who had seen the firebug ghost before, they knew it must have been him! Since 1997, more fire alarms and sprinkler systems have been installed to ensure that whatever he gets up to in the middle of the night doesn’t cause an end to this historical establishment.

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This brings us to the end of our Greenwich Village Ghost Tour. I really hope you learned something new along the way, and the stories we told sent a shiver down your spine. Please let me know in the comments if you were lucky enough to see one of the resident hauntings on your city tour. Or any other spectres you came across on your trip to the Big Apple.

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Ultimate Self-Guided Greenwich Village Ghost Tour, New York City first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. Map of the Ghost Tour
2. The Ghost of the Burgomaster
3. Headless Horseman
4. The Ghosts of Charles Bridge
5. The House of the Savages
6. The House of the Three Standard Bearers
7. House at the Golden Well
8. Mad Barber
9. Treasures of the Klementinum
10. Platnéřská's Iron Knight
11. The Three Roses of Rott's House
12. The House of the Two Golden Bears
13. Devil at the Kinský Palace
14. The Old Woman of Týn Church
15. The Odd Couple of Celetná Street
16. Begging Skeleton
17. One-Armed Thief of Basilica of St. James
18. House of Death

Map of the Ghost Tour

The Ghost of the Burgomaster

At the end of Národní street, on the edge of the old town, is the Church of St. Martin in the Wall. This site was the location of many medieval executions. One of the most famous stories is of the careless burgomaster. The burgomaster was the chief magistrate of Prague. One day, the burgomaster left Prague’s town seal on the floor where his young child picked it up. The child then dropped it into his bath. Once the child was done bathing, his wife unknowingly dumped the water into the gutter. The seal falling out the window.

A citizen walking home discovered the seal thrown away into the trash. People were outraged, as doing this was seen as an insult to their great city. Their anger was so fired up that the burgomaster was executed on this very spot. Today, his ghost can be seen scolding people who suffer from the same carelessness, which brought about his death. So be sure not to drop anything while walking on this site! Or you might just get a fright from the burgomaster himself.

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Headless Horseman

If you find yourself on Liliová Street around midnight, keep your eyes peeled for the Headless Horseman. Once a highly regarded templar knight, the man was executed for being a traitor to the realm. But somehow, his spirit latched itself to the labyrinth of streets around the old town. Specifically on Liliová Street, near the Monastery of St Lawrence, where he was beheaded.

The headless horseman rides a magnificent white steed and carries his head in his hands. Legend has it that the knight is doomed to roam the streets of Prague. He will wander until a brave soul can stab the knight through the heart and end his suffering for good. Keep an eye out for him as he has been known to kick drunken tourists as he rides by.

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The Ghosts of Charles Bridge

The Charles Bridge is undoubtedly the most famous location in Prague. Thousands of tourists walk across the cobblestone pathway every day. But upon the stones, they tread on some of the city’s darkest history. The Charles Bridge is perhaps most infamous for being the place where St. John of Nepomuk was martyred. John of Nepomuk had been the confessor of the queen of Bohemia. When the king demanded John divulge her secrets, he denied the king. Nepomuk could not break the sacred nature of holy confession, even for the king. The king was furious and condemned Nepomuk to death for his audacity.

Nepomuk was thrown from Charles Bridge into the Vlatava River, where he drowned. Ever since that moment, the bridge was thought to be cursed by the Kings evil doings. The bridge would continually collapse into the river. Even with the most modern construction technology, any attempt to prevent destruction ended badly.

Kings of Bohemia

The Kings of Bohemia didn’t know what to do. The bridge connected the two sides of the city together. It was a crucial access point for travellers, they couldn’t simply ignore this problem. One day, an ambitious young stonemason came forward, saying he could remedy the issue. But with all of his best efforts, the bridge continued to collapse. At his wit’s end, the stonemason was worried his failure would prove fatal. He had promised the King he would be the only one to finally solve this problem.

One night while at the construction site, the Devil appeared in front of the stonemason and offered him an exchange. He would ensure the bridge would never collapse if the stonemason would sacrifice the first soul who crossed the bridge to the devil. The stonemason carefully agreed.

The Devil and the Bridge

Once the bridge was complete, the stonemason wanted to ensure no unsuspecting soul was lost. And he certainly didn’t want the soul to be his own. So, thinking he could trick the devil, he went to the market to buy an animal. He hoped to force the animal to cross the bridge, so the devil would take the animal’s soul instead.

But the devil wasn’t so easily fooled, and he saw what the stonemason was plotting. The devil disguised himself as an old woman and went to the stonemason’s house where his pregnant wife lived. The devil, dressed as the old woman, told the stonemasons’ wife that the mason had been severely injured on the bridge. In terror for her husband’s life, the wife ran to the bridge. Seeing him on the other side, she crossed it. When the stonemason looked up to see her running across the completed bridge, he knew it was too late.

The Tales End…

The wife went into labour early, but the child would never see the light of day. She died in childbirth, and both the mother and son’s souls would have been lost forever to the devil. In horror and riddled with guilt, the stonemason threw himself into the river and committed suicide. But after that day, the bridge never collapsed again. The contract with the devil having been fullfilled.

Great Bohemian Revolt

Another dark story from the bridge’s past relates to the great Bohemian revolt of 1612. During this period, the Bohemian people fought against the Habsburg rule, which ended up starting the Thirty Years War. During the uprising in Prague, 27 leaders organized a rebellion against the Habsburg Emperor. Once their plot was discovered, they were executed; twelve were beheaded, and fifteen were hanged.

This was a shocking event for the Czech people. These executed men were not just any old thief or murdered, but were men of high importance; professors, noblemen, scholars, and businessmen. Their heads were placed in iron baskets on the Old Town Bridge Tower. They supposedly remained there for over a decade. This scene would undoubtedly have been one of the grimmest sights to see over ten years. And souls seemed to latch themselves to the bridge itself. Today, when crossing at night, see if you can spot any ghostly figures of these brave men.

The House of the Savages

At #7 Řetězová street, now the Café Montmartre, look at the middle of the building’s facade. Up there you can make out a significantly faded mural painted in the center. See if you can make out the image of two men dressed as “savages”. This mural gave the building its nickname, the “House of the Savages“.

In the late 18th century, the story goes that the building was a famous cabaret theatre. It was known for their obscure, sometimes macabre acts. The most notable performance at the time was the “two savages.” A famous Czech producer had found these men in the Americas and called them “savages.” He claimed they had been cannibals in their home country, and he would bring them onstage where, dressed in native feather headdresses and rags, where they ate live birds and animals on stage. As disgusting as the acts were, they were popular with the rowdy crowds.

Man and Animal

They were one of the most popular acts in town until one day, while the show was going on, a man in the audience stood up and shouted at the so-called “savages.” The man recognized the two, not as savages, but as two petty thieves who had been run out of his town for their crimes. The audience began to laugh at the two men, seeing how depraved they had to sink to get work with their low reputation. They ran out of the theatre, but they were cursed to be laughed at in humiliation for eternity for their crimes against man and animal. Some people say walking along this lane if you listen on a quiet night, you might still be able to hear the laughter.

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The House of the Three Standard Bearers

At #12 Husova Street, you’ll find a building with the image of three flag-carrying soldiers painted on the facade. This building goes by the name ‘The House of the Three Standard Bearers.’ The story of the three soldiers is a sad tale. The three men were best friends who all got assigned to a different regiment in the war of 1730. They all agreed to meet back here at this pub after the war was over.

Two of the men returned and waited for the third. But after the first day of waiting, they assumed the worst. They were good friends and continued to wait for the third man, until one day, they saw him walking down the street, but this time, he looked much different. He had returned to them indeed, but not as a living creature, but as a ghost, damned to walk eternally on the earth as he had wanted to keep his promise to his friends.

Our Lady of the Snows Church

But he came with a warning. He told the two men that they would follow him to the grave in less than a year. Thinking the ghost was warning the men of another war, they left the army and became monks at Our Lady of the Snows Church near Wenceslas Square. But, there is no running from death, and the two monks later died that year from causes unknown. They are immortalized here on The House of the Three Standard Bearers, reminding citizens there is no escaping your fate.

House at the Golden Well

On Karlova road where it forks into two diverging streets, stands the old Hotel Aurus. This was once better known as the ‘House at the Golden Well‘. It was called this because the well at the bottom of the building always seemed to have a strange golden glow to it. The golden hue seemed to suggest that there might be some treasure down just below the surface. But anytime someone went to check, they came up empty-handed.

Although no treasure was ever found, the glowing water brought to the surface humanity’s greed. One day, a housemaid was down in the basement, and the glow seemed to draw her in, and before she knew it, she had fallen into the water. Her cries drowned out by the stream, and there she died. The master of the house found her body and was forced by law to drain and clean the well as cholera and plague were rampant and dead bodies floating in well water was a great way to spread disease. While cleaning out the well, he found a few gold coins and rejoiced at his good fortune.

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Searching for the Coins

But little did he know, by keeping these coins he would be haunted by the ghosts spirit for eternity. The maid would haunt his hallways every night, dripping wet, wailing and the sound of her cold chattering teeth echoing through the halls. They say that until one of those original coins is placed back into the well, her ghost will remain here forever. People say you can still hear her cries on silent nights echoing across the street.

A book was written about this very house in 1891, called the “Witch of Prague,” and tells the tale of a witch whose search for immortality lead her to the city. The book claims she was the one who controlled that unnatural glow of the water and would seduce men to its brilliance, drowning them and claiming their souls for her own. Using their souls to feed her immortal life.

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Mad Barber

Continue down Karlova street to the building, which now houses Tourist Information. This was once the home of the Mad Barber. The barber lived here with his wife and two daughters. Being a barber on Karlova street meant lots of customers came through on their pilgrimage to Prague Castle.

But the barber was greedy, and his hunger for money was unsatiable. He turned to black magic and occult practices to achieve his final goal, of discovering the Philosopher’s Stone. This substance could turn any base metal into gold and therefore produce unending riches! The barber, who had previously been pretty well off, wasted all his savings into the study of black magic, only to be conned by charlatans. His daughters were forced into sex work to pay the rent. Their mother jumped from the roof of the house after seeing the dissolution of her family pride. The barber went mad from the loss of his family and, after his death, was said to have been damned to walk the streets of Karlova for eternity as punishment for his sins of greed.

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Treasures of the Klementinum

The Klementinum is a large complex of buildings with a Baroque library, observation tower, courtyards, churches and a Mirrored Chapel right beside the Charles Bridge. Initially, the building was a Jesuit college built in the 16th century. When Pope Clement XIV came to power, one of his first orders was to dissolve these orders and take the wealth they had amassed.

The Jesuits at the Klementinum had a considerable wealth of gold and treasure. They hoped that perhaps after the reign of Clement XIV passed, the Jesuits could come back to power. So they came up with a plot to hide their treasure behind a false wall in the Klementinum until their return. The Jesuits hired a bricklayer to get the work done as they were not skilled in construction.

The Bricklayer

In order to ensure the bricklayer didn’t steal the treasure for himself, the Jesuits blindfolded the man and put him in a carriage which drove him for miles are town to confuse him. He was blindfolded up until the point he reached the place where the walls were to be made. The Jesuits paid him more than handsomely for his work and told him that he would be cursed if he ever were to reveal where the treasure was hidden.

Many years went by, and soon rumours of the Jesuits’ treasure were floating through the city. A considerable reward was posted for anyone with knowledge of the hidden chamber. Seeing an opportunity to make more money, the bricklayer went out and told the city council about what he had done that night. The council rushed the man to the now-abandoned Klementinum, but they couldn’t find anything even with the bricklayer’s help. Soon after, the bricklayer went blind, and when he died, his soul was cursed, just as the Jesuits had warned him it would be. Today they say he still walked the halls of the Klementinum, blindly searching for the treasure.

Platnéřská’s Iron Knight

On the corner of Prague’s City Hall is a vast black statue, called the “Iron Knight.” In reality, his name was Jáchym Berka, who served King John of Luxembourg. He was known as the Iron Knight because of the black armour he always wore. The knight was a rageful man, which made him a great fighter, but not a great lover. After a long stint away at war, he came home to rumours that his fiance had been unfaithful to him. In a jealous rage, he tore through the streets of Prague to find her.

She lived here on Platnéřská street with her father, the blacksmith, who made the knight’ iconic black armour. When the knight found her, he stabbed her to death without a word. The woman, who had been entirely faithful and only subject to unproven gossip, cursed the knight as she lay dying in his arms. The knight turned to stone after she closed her eyes for the last time. For years, the stone statue stood in this square as a warning to anyone who would seek to murder someone based on rumour alone. Legend has it that the knight’s soul is still trapped within the stone, and once every hundred years, if a virgin pure of heart bestows a kiss upon the knight, he will finally be freed from his stone prison.

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The Three Roses of Rott’s House

Above the touristy Hard Rock Cafe is one of the most beautiful exteriors in the Old Town Square. The name “V. J. Rott” is painted on the facade surrounded in the most elaborate vegetal patterns. The building dates back to the second half of the 12th century when a wealthy merchant lived here with his three daughters, represented by the three white roses on the top of the building.

The three daughters were pure as white roses and goodly children. But they were sheltered from the world, as most girls were in medieval times when finding a man to marry was their only duty. But before the daughters could be married off, their parents died, leaving them with a large inheritance but no common sense as to how to spend it. They bought clothes and jewels and became arrogant and vain. No one in town had any interest in marrying them, for they had the awful personalities.

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The Mystery Man

One day a man from a far off land arrived and wooed the eldest daughter. He told her he was a prince of the far off country, where she could rule by his side in his mountain top castle. The eldest daughter agreed, and they were married. She left with the mysterious man and took her share of the inheritance with her. The other sisters didn’t hear anything from her again, but that was not that odd for the time as communication across long distances was difficult and unreliable.

Soon, another man from another foreign land arrived and promised a similar fate to the middle daughter. She followed her eldest sister’s fate, married him and took her money with her. Finally, it was the third daughter’s turn. When a third foreign prince came to greet her at the House of the Three Roses’, she jumped at the opportunity to not be alone inside this big mansion, having been abandoned by her other sisters. The youngest daughter sold the house and took the money from the sale with her as she left Prague with the mysterious prince.

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The Fool

No one ever heard from the girls again. But soon, local merchants began telling the tale of one trickster who had married three daughters from Prague. The same man returned to this house three times, fooling each simple sister into marrying him. But there was no castle or far away land. After they married him, he whisked them out to the forest, where he murdered the girls and kept their money. The girls are known to return to the house as ghostly figure. Wishing they had never left, coming back to repent their sins of vanity.

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The House of the Two Golden Bears

The House of the Two Golden Bears on Kožná Street dates back to 1403. Today, this house is filled with bricked up archways and walled up rooms. Where did they once lead? And what is hidden behind them? No one knows…

The two bears’ image on the building’s front entrance is thought to represent the big and little dipper, as this building was once a place where dark magic was practiced. The representation of the stars refers to the astrology practiced here, a popular practice for members of the occult. It was a commonly known rumour that there were underground passageways all over the city of Prague. But what dark accesses were so evil they needed to be locked away, behind brick walls? Or what were they trying to hide? In 1930 a journalist ventured down into one of the blocked tunnels and didn’t reappear for over a week. He had gotten lost in the labyrinth below. When he finally resurfaced, he wouldn’t speak of what he saw, but his dark hair had turned bright white from freight.

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Devil at the Kinský Palace

Kinský Palace stands in the Old Town Square and is one of the largest
and most ornate buildings in the area. But its construction came at a high price. The rich count building Kinsky Palace wanted to build a mansion as large as possible. But the site upon which he had decided on didn’t allow for the massive floorplan he had devised. The count went about bribing several city councillors to allow the house’s foundation to creep into the town square, which was unheard even for the time. The councillors agreed to the bribe and thought that would be the end of the story.

The size of the construction was hidden behind a scaffolding wall. Until one curious townsperson peaked through and noticed how close the building would be to the square. He went to the city hall to complain about the huge house which would encroach on the towns square, which belonged to the people and not the count!

The Three Councillors

The mayor and other angry councillors summoned the count to court. But the count simply provided the signed permits he had received from the councillors he had bribed. Furious at their misuse of their office, the three councillors were sentenced to death. The count, however, suffered no punishment.

One of the councillors’ daughter ran to the town hall to plead for her father’s life but found no one there. She ran to the construction site to perhaps talk to the count and see if he could save her father’s life. But, in her haste, as she entered the construction site, she fell into the pit dug for the foundation and died.

Conscutrion workers were terrified to find her dead body and ended up burying her in the basement to cover up the story. The construction job had been plagued with problems until the young women’s death. The workers recalled an old legend stating that if you sacrificed a soul to the devil, your building’s construction would be effortless and stand the test of time. Perhaps without knowing it, this girl had fallen into the hands of the devil. Still to this day, people have been known to see her ghost running through the Kinský Palace halls, begging for her father’s life.

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The Old Woman of Týn Church

If you visit Prague in the winter and see a snowfall being cleared away on the Týn Church’s steps, you might have spotted the Old Woman of Tyn‘s ghost! Years ago, an old sexton was in charge of the maintenance and care of the Týn Church and its priests. He was a dedicated sexton, who was beloved by all those in the city. To save an old spinster who had been caught up in a scandal from being cast out of the town, the sexton married her. But shortly after they were married, he realized she was worthy of many of those scandals and wasn’t the nicest woman. But he was so busy with his job he, for the most part, took no notice.

Years later, when the sexton grew old and feeble, he fell ill and could not care for the priest or maintain the church. He asked his wife to handle his duties, as she had up until then had a life of nothing but ease and for this once, could she simply help the sexton out? She agreed, but instead of doing her duty, she pocketed the money for the church maintenance and food for the priest. She fed the priest nothing but old dishwater and scraps. When it snowed, she would ignore her duties to sweep the front steps and let it ice over.

The Ghost of the Tyn Church

When the feeble priest was walking into the church one morning, he slipped on the ice, hit his head on the ground and died. Soon after this happened and knowing the excellent sexton was too ill to work, the public knew it was the old spinster who was responsible. She was thrown out of town and died years later, homeless yet repentant for what she had done. These days; her ghost is still seen sweeping the snow off the church steps in the winter, endlessly trying to repent for her sins.

The Odd Couple of Celetná Street

On the corner of Celetná, look for two ghostly figures, one an old monk, the other a sultry woman of the night. Years ago, Celetná Street was a popular spot to find sex workers. One such woman would stand on this corner and flash passers-by, hiding her naked form under a large coat, in the hopes of seducing them to take part in some fleshy delights.

One day, the woman saw an old monk walking down the street and thought it would be amusing to flash him as he went by. When she did so, the monk was so shocked at the sight, never having seen a naked woman before, and attacked her with his crucifix. He bludgeoned her so severely she died right there on the spot. Shocked at what he had done, the monk gave himself such a freight, his heart stopped, and he died alongside the very woman he had killed. This odd couple, somehow bound together in death, is still seen wandering the street together, hand in hand.

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Begging Skeleton

If you plan on seeing the next ghostly figure, you might need to stop into one of Prague’s famous beer halls before you do so as this ghost only appears to those who are drunk! Many years ago, a very tall young man worked near the Karolinum, which was a medical facility. The man was almost inhumanly tall. A professor of anatomy who worked in the medical hall became obsessed with the young man.

One day, the professor asked the young man, named Vincent, if he could purchase his skeleton – after his death, of course. He paid Vincent upfront a considerable sum for the rights to his skeleton after his death. Vincent, being a poor man, who hadn’t ever seen this amount of money before, set out right away for the pub and drank himself to death. The professor happily collected his body the next morning, surprised at how fast the deal had been done but happy to get the specimen he desired. The tall skeleton is now seen walking the street around the Karolinum, begging for money to repurchase his skeleton from the professor, which would perhaps release his soul from his eternal torment.

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One-Armed Thief of Basilica of St. James

While visiting the Basilica of St. James, be sure to walk inside and look up to the right upon entering. There, hanging from the ceiling is a petrified arm bone. The legend goes that one day, a thief snuck into the church and waited until the priests left for the night and locked up. Now, alone in the church, he went about stealing all the precious items inside—everything from the priest’s vestments and sacred relics were placed inside his bag.

Approaching the Virgin Mary statue, to steal a piece off her alter, the figure of Mary came to life and grabbed onto the thief’s hand. She would not let go. The thief tried and tried, but couldn’t pry the stone hand off of his own. With dawn approaching and knowing he would be caught once the priests returned, he cut off his hand and fled the scene. When the priests came in in the morning, they discovered the thief’s severed hand on the flood of the church, beside the statue of Mary. Who curiously had a drop of blood on her stone fingers. Ever since the arm bone has been put on display to dissuade any potential thieves. With his one missing arm, the thieves’ ghost still wanders the street outside, in the hopes of retrieving his lost arm.

House of Death

Dlouhá třída is an old street in Prague, which was once one of the city’s most high-class residential areas. It was established in the 10th century, and its curving path led right into the Old Town square. Although the place is now possessed by tacky tourist bars and souvenirs shops, there is a real haunting to be found at #923/5 Dlouha.

One day a wealthy couple moved into the house to start their family. They gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and were thrilled upon his delivery. One day, the maid had left the window in the boy’s nursery open, as it was an incredibly hot day and she wanted to get some fresh air for the child. When the mother came inside she saw that the baby was gone! They looked all over and had disappeared, stolen from the open window. The mother ran to the city guards, who had been alerted to a group of vagabonds who had been causing trouble in the marketplace nearby. A search group was sent out, even supported by the city’s army, but the child was never found.

Dying of a Broken Heart

The father of the child died young, perhaps of a broken heart. Years wore on, and one day, the mother, now a widow, was renting out the large house to help with expenses. A young man, new to Prague, moved into the house. Soon, a romance developed between the two, despite their considerable age difference. The boy had come to Prague in search of his family. He had found out he had been kidnapped as a young child and was in Prague searching for his kidnappers, in the hopes they would reveal to him the identity of his parents.

Well, you might see where this is going, but once he found the kidnappers, they revealed to him that his mother was, in fact, now his wife. At the time, incest was one of the most reviled sins, and even though they had married unknowingly, both of them were executed right in front of the house. For years, a painting of the event was etched above the door, no doubt making it hard to rent out. In 1680 a man moved into the haunted house. He soon became the first patient to die of the plague that ravaged Prague’s city, killing one-third of their population. Was it just random happenstance, or did the house itself, damned to hell by evil spirits, bring about the plague? You decide.

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This brings us to the end of the tour! Hopefully, you’re not too rattled by the stories we heard tonight and enjoy the rest of your evening exploring the incredible night-life Prague is known for. Nothing soothes the nerves like a glass of pivo!

Let me know what your favourite ghost story of the night was and if you were lucky enough to spot a spirit for yourself!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post A Free Self-Guided Walking Tour of Prague’s Old Town Famous Ghosts and Scary Legends first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Launceston is untouched by mega-tourism and has a unique landscape only found in this part of the country. Launceston to me felt like a combination of New Zealand’s rich scenery and Australia’s vibrant culture. If you’re a tourist who wants to get off the beaten track and get a little peace and quiet, then Launceston is the place for you.

Table Of Contents

1. History
2. Access
3. Best Time to Visit
4. What to Pack?
5. Where to Stay
   • Launceston Backpackers
   • Kurrajong House
   • Hatherley Birrell Collection
6. What to do in Launceston
   • 1. Sweetbrew 
   • 2. Eat the Day Away at the Harvest Farmer's Market
   • 3. Explore Cataract Gorge
   • 4. Get up High on the Gorge Scenic Chairlift
   • 5. Wonder at the Works inside Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery
   • 6. Discover the old Craftsmanship inside the Old Umbrella Shop
   • 7. Indulge in Fine Dining at Stillwater
   • 8. Go Back in Time inside Franklin House
   • 9. Sip on Aged Ales at James Boag Brewery Experience
   • 10. Get Spooked on Launceston City Ghost Tours
   • 11. Wander down Memory Lane on a Self Guided History Walk

History

Launceston, located on the northern tip of the state of Tasmania, is one of their two main cities. The other being Hobart, located on the southern end. Launceston is Australia’s third oldest European settlement, established in 1806 after Sydney (in 1788) and Hobart (in 1803). The city is renowned for its well preserved historic buildings, artful food scene and lush countryside.

While I highly enjoyed visiting both Hobart and Launceston, and each had its own pros and cons, Launceston felt more in line with my creative travel sensibilities. The city streets were more artful, their parks lusher. The overall design seemed to be of the utmost importance, even if a bit dated. Like other Australian cities, Launceston features a thriving coffee scene, great food, excellent hikes and an intimacy with the natural environment that you wouldn’t expect from a big city.

Access

The best way to get to Launceston is by plane. A short flight from Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane will land you just 15 minutes outside the city’s centre. While renting a car is advisable to see the rest of Tasmania, we didn’t find that one was necessary at all for our time inside the confines of Launceston’s city centre and outer boroughs.

Best Time to Visit

Launceston and Tasmania, in general, is noticeably colder than the rest of Australia. Don’t come here without checking the weather! We saw a few people step off the plane in shorts and t-shirts in a climate that was more suitable for a winter coat.

From November to March are the best months to travel when the weather is at its most enjoyable. June, July and August are relatively chilly and rainy. Still, the prices of hotels are significantly discounted, and the city is almost empty! Summer is the peak travel season when you’ll find the hotels to be the priciest.

Whereas international travellers might not find their way to Tasmania, local Australians have been frequenting the island more and more, so be sure to check the dates of any Australia holidays or school breaks as these times may also be much busier and more expensive.

What to Pack?

As mentioned above, you might be surprised to see how different the weather is here compared to Australia’s arid deserts and beachy coasts. So much of Tasmania is made up of cool temperate rainforests. In addition to your regular travel essentials, there are a few critical items to bring to Launceston and Tasmania. It’s crucial to pack lots of layers that will help you keep warm in the morning, but which you can shed after a few hours of hiking which warms you right up!

It’s also essential to pack a good raincoat or waterproof windbreaker, which can be super useful since rain is a frequent visitor to Tasmania’s forecasts. The rainforests can get pretty wet. Umbrellas are also a good thing to pack in your bag for extra protection.

Where to Stay

When planning my stay in Launceston, I was so excited to find that almost every single home and hotel listed on Tripadvisor was over 4-stars. This meant that you could throw a dart and end up at a fantastic hotel. Everyone we met was so happy to see us, so proud of their city and more than willing to help us out in any way they could. Whether it was picking us up from the airport or showing us around town, Launceston’s residence were always going over and above our expectations.

Launceston Backpackers

We stayed at the Launceston Backpackers, a lovely old house renovated to hold guests. It felt more like staying in someone’s cottage rather than a hotel. I loved the architecture, the stained glass, the old furniture, pretty much everything. It was super affordable and right in the centre of town meaning we could easily walk from place to place without ever having to get on a bus or rent a car.

Price: $47 USD/night

Kurrajong House

Kurrajong House offers accommodation to adult-only guests who enjoy a quiet and tranquil stay. The house is a heritage property that has been lovingly restored. You can choose to stay in either their Heritage guest rooms within the main house or one of two courtyard rooms that overlook their small garden. They are located in Launceston’s luxury end and a short 5-minute walk to the city.

Price: $108 USD/night 

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Hatherley Birrell Collection

Hatherley Birrell Collection is a boutique hotel offering a high-end experience with some of the most exceptionally stylish rooms. With four unique spaces to stay in Hatherley Birrell Collection leaves your soul enriched and your creativity inspired during your stay in Launceston!

Price: $170 USD/night

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I’m back in Tasmania, first stop Launceston and the east coast (where I grew up). Next time you’re in Tas or plan a special trip, do yourself a favour and check in at @hatherleybirrellcollection (^ is part of their property) – my aunty and uncle have worked on every detail of their unreal boutique B&B #hatherleybirrellcollection #spring #time #boutique #art #north #tasmania

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What to do in Launceston

1. Sweetbrew 

The first thing to do in the morning is to grab yourself a cup of coffee! Australia is known for its incredible coffee culture, and Tasmania is no different. Sweetbrew is a local hangout for hipsters and tourists alike. Every coffee is perfectly crafted, and their summer berry cake is something I’ll remember forever!

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2. Eat the Day Away at the Harvest Farmer’s Market

For breakfast, head on down to the Harvest Saturday Farmers Market. Stock up on some doughnuts from @sandyssourdough and if you’re craving something savoury, hit up a gluten-free breakfast bowl from @mountgnomonfarm.

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Don’t leave without a bottle or two of manuka honey from Tasmania, something which is sure to cure what ails you. Even if you don’t have a kitchen at your hotel, this is the best place to load up on cheese, freshly cured meats, hot-smoked salmon, fresh berries and fruits and hot from the oven bread. This all makes for a super simple picnic luncheon to enjoy later on in the day.

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3. Explore Cataract Gorge

And where to eat your picnic lunch, you may ask? There’s no better place than Cataract Gorge! Cataract Gorge is a stunning park in the centre of Launceston. To get to the gorge, you begin by walking along a scenic pathway, called the King’s Bridge-Cataract Walk. This leads you around the South Esk River’s edge to the northern part of the gorge’s basin. From here, you can walk across the Alexandra Suspension Bridge. On the other side of the bridge, you’ll find a large swimming pool to be enjoyed in the summer months.

4. Get up High on the Gorge Scenic Chairlift

I found the best part of our visit to the gorge was getting to ride the antique chairlift! The chairlift, built in 1972, and is still the longest single-span lift in the world! We were one of the only people in the park during our visit and figured the lift wouldn’t be open. But to our surprise, a quiet old woman was sitting at the desk to welcome us in and let us ride. It felt almost strange like they had kept it open just for us. We giggled the entire way across the gorge, swinging our feet, nervously laughing as the chairlift climbed higher and higher. The chairlift covers 457 metres and moves pretty slowly for you to really take in the scenery around you.

When you get off the chairlift, you can explore the landscaped Victorian garden and small cottage restaurant on the other side of the basin. You’ll find unusual Tasmanian flora and fauna, including ferns, exotic plants, and even wild peacocks.

The trip costs $9 USD for a one-way ticket or $12 USD for an “Across & Back” ticket. We opted for the one-way sine we enjoyed the walk back to the entrance. The lift is open every day from 9am, 365 days a year! In the winter it closes at 4:30 pm, in the Spring and Autumn it closes at 5 pm and in Summer from 5:30 pm to 6 pm.

5. Wonder at the Works inside Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery

If you’re visiting Launceston, you should take some time to admire some local and National Australian art. I found that Australia has such a distinct fine art style and something completely unique compared to European or even American art. My favourite part of this museum was the Tasmanian art collection from the colonial era to the present day. Their gallery even has a focus on Tasmania’s convict history and the strange and powerful art produced by the prisoners.

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6. Discover the old Craftsmanship inside the Old Umbrella Shop

Launceston’s historic streets look as though they have been preserved in amber from the late 19th century. While other Australian cities, even in Tasmania, have moved along with modernization, Launceston captures the looks and feel of Australias at the turn of the century. One of the oldest shops which is still up and running is the Old Umbrella Shop. Three generations of the same family have produced and repaired umbrellas in this shop since 1860. The umbrellas here are even crafted from local Tasmanian wood. The historic signage out front is the same as it was in the mid-Victorian era. Giving you a glimpse of what this entire street once might have looked like.

7. Indulge in Fine Dining at Stillwater

For one of the best meals, you’ll have on your entire trip, be sure to book reservations in advance at Stillwater Restaurant. Stillwater is located inside a beautifully restored 1830s flour mill. If you’re lucky enough to get a seat with a view, you can soak in the stunning landscape of the Tamar River while you dine.

Stillwater prides itself on focusing on local food, grown by producers all across Tasmania. Their seafood options are my absolutely favourite dishes but their menu changes so often I can’t recommend one in particular. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong. Their wine bar is also stacked with Australian wines, which we know, are some of the best producers of wine world-wide. So relax and indulge in some fine dining!

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8. Go Back in Time inside Franklin House

Franklin House gives visitors a glimpse into what life was like for the new colony of Launceston in 1838. It’s Tasmania’s oldest house museum, which has been restored to its original appearance. The house was first built for businessman, Britton Jones. Jones himself was an ex-convict who managed to escape the system and make a new life for himself and his family. It was so exciting to explore the home and discover the original furniture and decor. This allowed us to imagine how all the home here would have looked in years past, like stepping back in time.

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First National Trust house in Tasmania, giving a glimpse of how some lived in early days.

A post shared by pds7mow (@pds7mow) on Mar 25, 2020 at 4:33am PDT

9. Sip on Aged Ales at James Boag Brewery Experience

Tasmania’s most famous beer is the Boags beer, which is sold worldwide but highly regarded in Launceston where the brewery is located. On the Brewery Tour experience, you’ll learn all about what makes their beer unique, see how its made and learn about the history of this Tasmanian Brewery.

At the end of the tour, you’ll be invited into their bar where you’ll receive a 30-minute guided beer tasting! Here you’ll be able to taste a flight of their brews paired with locally produced cheese! I’ve been to many a beer tasting but never one which included cheese, so that captured my attention straight away (I’m a HUGE cheese lover) and I did think it really gave an interesting spin on the tasting.

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10. Get Spooked on Launceston City Ghost Tours

Ok, now I know ghost tours might seem like something kinda cheesy, but I LOVE them. To me, they are just like a history tour but with a slightly macabre angle. Launceston has a deep and dark convict past. It’s said that some of the prisoners who were sentenced here can still be seen roaming the streets, their ghosts clinging to the mortal world. Walking the old streets of Launceston, your guide will tell tales of the past, making the city’s history come alive. There is both an adult-only and family-friendly option, so there is something for all ages! Obviousy the family-friendly tour is a little less scary so if you spook easily that might be the tour for you.

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11. Wander down Memory Lane on a Self Guided History Walk

Launceston has some of the best colonial and Victorian architecture anywhere in Australia. Cameron street alone perfectly exemplifies what the rest of Australia would have looked like during the boom times of the 19th century. You can do your own self-guided walking tour from Albert Hall in the east to the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in the west. This tour focuses on specific buildings along the route that tell rich tales of the city’s architectural and social history. There are little plaques along the way to help inform you of the stories as you go. And it’s a great way to explore the city on foot.

While Hobart might be the more famous of the two large Tasmania cities, Launceston is my favourite. It had a quiet charm which I find intoxicating. If you’re looking for a little escape from mainland Australia’s busy beaches and modern cities, Launceston is a great place to come.

Have you ever visited Tasmania? Let me know what you’re favourite part of this island is!

Happy Travel Adventurers!

The post 11 Amazing Things to See and Do in Launceston, Tasmania first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

A city as old and as raucous as Venice is bound to have its fair share of dark histories. Along with these ghoulish tales are bound to come stories of ghosts and haunting! I have laid out in the map below all the spots where you can go ghost hunting to see if you can spot a spectre! But even if you’re not lucky enough to see a ghost for yourself, these shadowy stories of Venice’s mysterious history are all the most enjoyable when walking through the real places late at night.

About the Walking Tour

All but one of these spots can be visited so you can touch the same stones the characters in our stories would have walked on themselves. While not all these stories are directly connected to ghosts, they all have a macabre theme and you never know when you might be the first to see a spectre from one of these famous tales.

Table Of Contents

1. Map of Walking Tour
2. Riva de Biasio
3. Death in Venice
4. Campo Dei Morti
5. Palazzo Mastelli
6. Casino degli Spiriti
7. Campo de l'Abazia
8. San Michele Cemetery
9. Campiello del Remer
10. Malibran Theater
11. Calle Bressan
12. Santa Maria Formosa
13. San Francesco della Vigna
14. Campo San Piero de Casteo
15. Viale Giuseppe garibaldi
16. Sottoportego dei Preti 
17. Calle della Morte
18. Chiesa di Sant'Antonin
19. Chiesa di San Zaccaria
20. Pillars of Piazzetta San Marco
21. St Mark's Campanile
22. Rio Terrà dei Assassini
23. Grassi Palace
24. Palazzo Dario
25. Punta della Dogana
26. Poveglia

Map of Walking Tour

Riva de Biasio

We start our tour at the northernmost point on the island, at the Riva de Biasio Vaporetto dock. This was the spot in the 15th were the butcher of Biasio plied his trade. The butcher was known for his delicious sausages, that he served in the inn he ran on the canal. He was known all over Venice for his superior tasting sausages. Until one day, a woman discovered a small piece of a human finger inside, including the fingernail!

When the police raided the butcher shop they found pieces and bones of various children he had killed, and we can assume, turned into food for his restaurant. Biasio was beheaded in St. Mark’s Square and his house was torn down because the memories of what he had done haunted the residents of the area. Residences have been known to hear the voices of crying children late into the night echoing along the canal.

Death in Venice

Before the construction of the San Michele Cemetery, rich aristocrats were buried inside churches in burial tombs. But the cost of being buried inside a church was high and only for the very upper crust of Venetian society. Middle-class people “rented” their final resting place. These people could not afford a single tomb of their own so instead, groups of people would be buried together in a private chapel for a certain period of time. Once their time was up, their living family members could either pay up for another few years or have the corpses removed. There was even a school dedicated to the management of burials in Venice called the Scuola della Buona Morte, or School of the Good Death.

Campo Dei Morti

The poorest of Venetian society were buried in open-air cemeteries or mass graves. The street Campo dei Morti translates into the Street of the Dead. This was where once you’d find one of the largest open-air grave sights in Venice. This graveyard would have been overflowing when the plague first came to the city. And you can only imagine the smell! But in addition to the smell, it was literally unsafe as diseases would spread from the dead bodies to anyone living close by. So in the 19th century, an edict was formed that these cemeteries would be moved off the island for sanity purposes. But walking on these streets today still feels like you’re walking over someone’s grave.

Palazzo Mastelli

The best place to see the Palazzo Mastelli is opposite the house on the other side of the canal (as marked on the map). The most curious part of this building is the carving on the lower right corner which depicts a man in a turban standing beside a large camel. The legend says that this man in the bas-relief is actually the petrified former owner of the palace. The owners were rich silk merchants who made their money by selling low-quality fabrics at high prices to unsuspecting Venetians. When they pulled this scam on an old widow, she was furious.

She cursed the money she used to buy the fabric so that whenever the merchants touched it they would turn to stone. Look closely on the faces of both the merchant and the camel and see if in the moonlight of the night, you can hear them screaming for help!

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Casino degli Spiriti

The Casino degli Spiriti (the House of the Spirits) is made up of a vast complex of buildings consisting also of the Palazzo Contarini Dal Zaffo. In the 16th century when this building was first constructed it began its life as an intellectual meeting place. Philosophers and artists would come from far and wide to meet here. People like Tintoretto, Veronese and Titian were popular attendees. But over the years the palace was abandoned although some locals say that it wasn’t really abandoned after all. They claimed that cults began using the large annex in the Palazzo for dark rituals late at night. After this point in history, it seemed like the spot was cursed.

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Pietro Luzzo da Feltre

Strange noises were heard at night, and voice carried across the canal. Pietro Luzzo da Feltre, a painter of little repute, bought the land since it was cheap. The painter was a romantic soul and was madly in love with one of his models. When she turned down his advances, the love stuck painter threw himself off the building and died in the water. A few days later the painter’s ghost appeared in one of the windows and is still frequently seen wandering the halls. The palazzo was later used as a hospital for plague patients where hundreds of people died. Their bodies were given autopsies here as well and only rowed out to the nearby San Michele Cemetery when they had been torn apart by doctors.

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In the 1920s new owners discovered four bodies inside the building, all of which were missing their heads and right hands. This quickly put them off the property. The last gruesome story from the building’s history comes in 1940 when a rich woman was killed, dismembered and placed in a trunk which was later submerged into the lagoon. The trunk was discovered nearby by some local fisherman who had already known about all the other mysterious events which had occurred near the palazzo. All these spooky incidents have meant that no fisherman will even fish near the Casin degli Spiriti for fear of being its next victim.

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Campo de l’Abazia

The Campo de L’Abazia is where you might find one of the most theatrical ghosts of the city. On May 13th, 1437 there was a terrible fire that spread across the neighbourhood. Families were trying to get these children out of the fire. When Bartolomeo Zenni was asked by his neighbours for help he refused them in order to instead save his jewels and gold. But this cruel action condemned his soul for life. Today, if you see an old man, with a large sack on his back, in the square begging for money – don’t speak to him. People have been known to approach the man, only to have him turn into a burning skeleton in front of their eyes!

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Fondamente Nove

Standing on the main island looking out at the San Michele opposite, see if you can spot a floating casket on the water, lit by four candles. This is thought to be the ghost of a little girl who died in the water in 1904. On a particularly foggy night, a Vaporetto captain and two gondolas set out from the main island to Burano and Murano respectively. Due to the thick fog, the Vaporetto crashed into the gondolas sending almost all the passengers into the water. Despite their best attempts, four women died that night but one little girl remained lost at sea. The floating casket with candles is said to be the ghost of the little girl who was never found and never given a proper burial.

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San Michele Cemetery

Most obviously haunted places in Venice is the San Michele Cemetery. The new cemetery was established in 1807, by filling the canals of the then two separate islands (San Michele and San Cristoforo), to create one larger one. Bodies were carried to the island on special funeral gondolas. The island was formerly used for prisoners, which in itself imbues the island with a storied past. The cemeteries are guarded by large cypress trees whose branches ache and moan with the wind. Thousands of people are now buried on the island, under some of the most lavish monuments you’ll find anywhere in the world. The cemetery is divided into different sections; Catholic, Greco/Orthodox, Protestant, Victims of War, and gondoliers. 

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Gravestones

Most of the graves here were only filled by one individual for 10-12 years, after which their bones were moves to mausoleums or dumped in the communal ossuary. Legend has it that one November 1st, the dead leave the island and make their way back to Venice to visit their old homes. Venetians think it’s bad luck to look out the window, for fear of seeing the dead, on this day. On November 2nd, all souls day, the living return to the island to pay respects to their loved ones and often are seeing bringing Fave dei Morte (“Beans of the Dead”) for their relatives. If you’d like to travel to the cemetery you can take the No. 4.1 or 4.2 motoscafo from the Fondamenta Nove. The ride across the water to the island onlu takes six minutes.

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Campiello del Remer

Here in Campiello del Remer square, you might catch sight of a tormented jealous lover. In the 16th century, a nobleman named Loredan fell in love and married the niece of the Doge. But wracked with jealously, accused her of adultery. She repeatedly denied it but unable to free himself from his jealous rage, beheaded her. Not wanting a nobleman’s blood on his hands, the Doge told the Loredan to go to the Pope and ask for forgiveness. But one caveat, he had to bring his wife’s beheaded head with him on the long journey. Loredan obeyed but the pope would not see him. He carried his dead wife’s decaying head back to Venice and, now wracked with madness, threw himself into the canal near the Campiello Remer. He is still seen today walking around the Campiello with his dead wife’s head in his hands.

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Malibran Theater

The Malibran Theater was once, the old home of Marco Polo. Marco Polo, when travelling in China, met the daughter of a great emperor and fall in love. He married her and brought her back to Venice with him. But she never felt at home in Venice. Marco Polo’s sisters didn’t like her either, and we thought to be very jealous of the affection that Marco paid on her. One day, Marco was captured in battle by the Genoese and instead of telling her that he had been captured, Marco’s sisters told his wife he had died. Feeling more alone than ever, she lit her clothes on fire and threw herself into the canal where she is thought to have died.

Today, people claimed that you can still see her white figure floating in the air and if you listen closely hear the faint sound of Eastern music playing in the wind. While there is seemingly little truth to this story, when the theatre was doing some excavations, they discovered the body of an Asian woman buried in the foundations of the building. Found along with her with a tiara and an imperial coat, so no doubt this was Marco’s princess.

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Calle Bressan

In front of the Basilica of S.S. Giovanni, there is said to be a ghost that haunts the court. The ghost is often seen begging for alms. This is “Bell Ringer” of St Marks Square. The bell ringer was just that, a bell ringer who was once in charge of the huge bells inside St. Mark’s Campanile. Bell ringers back then didn’t make much money, so when an old Venetian scientist approached the boy and offered him a large sum in exchange for his skeleton, the boy jumped at the offer.

The scientist wanted the boy’s skeleton to perform experiments on after his death. Not thinking anything of this, the boy accepted and was handed over the large sum of money. He immediately went about spending it, mostly on alcohol, and eventually drank himself into a very early grave. Perhaps the scientist knew a thing or two and crafted the entire scheme. The scientist took what he had paid for and the skeleton is still on display in Venice’s Natural History Museum to this day. But it is said that the skeletons leave the museum every night, and comes here to beg for money, in the hopes of being able to buy his skeleton back and escape the mortal world.

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Santa Maria Formosa

Belltowers across Europe in the Medieval era were the only way that people know what was going on in the city. The bells tolled for the start and end of the workday. They tolled to mark danger incoming into the city. Of even just to mark a celebration. But whatever they were used for, they had great influence over the people of the city. Therefore many of the belltowers in Venice have a carving sculpted on the door to the tower. These carvings were often grotesque as they were used to “ward off the Devil” to ensure he didn’t enter to ring the bells and cause chaos in the city.

The carving on the church of Santa Maria Formosa‘s belltower is one of the best examples of this. This carving is said to howl out at night when he senses the devil is near. Others say that the cries are something much darker. And that the carving above the door is actually a demon trapped in stone. See if the face’s eyes follow you as you pass.

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San Francesco della Vigna

The church of San Francesco della Vigna is thought to be haunted by not one but a group of ghosts. Years ago, a man was out late walking home, when darkness fell early than the man expected. This was long before the invention of street lamps. As he neared the church, he saw a few glimmers of light in the distance and thought he might ask if the group had a light to spare. When he got closer he saw there was a group of men, around the graveyard of the church, all holding candles. One of the men turned to face him and offered him his candle. The man took it enthusiastically and walked the rest of the way home.

In the morning he was horrified to see that the light he was using the night before wasn’t a candle but a shrivelled hand! He returned the next night, as he felt keeping the hand would have been grave robbery, and therefore a sun. He saw the group of men around the graveyard once more. They all carried candles in their hand. All but one. He passed the hand back to the ghost, who smiled. The man ran off into the night, never being able to forget what he saw. The graveyard is now gone but perhaps the ghosts still frequent the churchyard!

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Campo San Piero de Casteo

On the far edge of the island of Venice lies the Campo San Piero de Castro. Lurking in the shadows is said to be the ghost of a young bride. This is Tosca. Tosca was a poor young girl who was promised to a rich nobleman in order to further her family’s name. But she was already in love with someone else. A young hunter. Before she had to marry the nobleman, she escaped with the hunter. But before they could get away, the nobleman found them. He killed the hunter and cut of Tosca’s ring finger so should never marry anyone! Riddled with loss over her beloved she killed herself. Today her ghost searches endlessly for her wedding ring so she can marry her beloved – even in death.

Viale Giuseppe garibaldi

Standing in the Viale Giuseppe Garibaldi is a large statue of Garibaldi. Giuseppe Garibaldi was the hero of Italian Unification. But standing behind Garibaldi’s grande statue is another figure, Giuseppe Zolli. Giuseppe Zolli was a young red shirt soldier. The solider was such a fan of Garibaldi that he swore an oath to protect him, even after death. The original statue of Garibaldi was designed as a solo piece, and here he stood, alone. But after some time, people began to report seeing a young ghost in a red shirt wandering the gardens asking for Garibaldi. Seeing as this ghost was clearly Giuseppe Zolli and did not plan on leaving Garibaldi alone, designers made him his own statue behind Garibaldi. Since then no one has spotted the ghost but there is most definitely some spirited energy going on here.

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Sottoportego dei Preti 

If you walk under the archway of the Sottoportego dei Preti and look on the opposite side, you’ll find a red heart carved into the brick. Legend has it that once upon a time a poor Venetian fisherman named Orio, was out fishing one night when a Melusine appeared near his boat. A Melusine is a Venetian mermaid, one who has two tails. Orio feels in love with her. And she with him.

They got married and even had three children, but the Melusine died birthing their last child. But unlike humans, Melusine’s turn into snakes when they die. She would return to Orio and the children every day as a snake to clean the house and take care of the children. But Orio didn’t know about this, and when he finally saw the snake, he killed it. Only then did he realize the snake was his wife. Broken-hearted he carved away at the wall in madness to remind future people his sad love story. Today it is thought that if you touch the heart you will find luck in love in the next year.

Calle della Morte

The Calle della Morte translates in Italian literally into the Alley of Death. The alley was the most popular spot for people to be killed but in a rather strange way. When noblemen were condemned to death by the Venetian Council, the council avoided telling them right away. They feared they would escape before the sentence. So they would trick them to coming to this street where they would be killed. The Calle de Morte is extremely narrow and there would be no escape once someone was after you here. You’d think after the first few times someone would have caught on but I guess news didn’t travel as fast back in medieval times.

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Chiesa di Sant’Antonin

If you listen closely when you stand near the Church of Sant’Antonin, see if you can hear the stomping of huge footsteps. These are the ghostly footsteps of an elephant who once went rampaging through the city. In 1819, a travelling circus came to Venice. Animals in this circus where extremely abused and finally the elephant had had enough and escaped its shackles. It ran through the city, running through Riva Degli Schiavoni, destroying houses, staircases and doorways as it went.

It finally ended up here, where its foot got stuck in a tombstone allowing the Venetians chasing it to finally catch and shoot it. But killing it outright wasn’t enough for them. They brought it to St. Mark’s Square and executed the animal with a cannon! The poor elephant was no doubt just really scared and didn’t deserve this horrific end. So, its ghost still tries to take out its revenge on people today, even in death!

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Chiesa di San Zaccaria

The Church of San Zaccaria has a very haunting past. In 1105 there was a great fire in the church. All the nuns living in the convent tried to escape the fire and fled into the crypt for safety. Unfortunately, 100 nuns perished in the fire. They were buried beneath the church, quite haphazardly. Years late, in a horrific flood in the 15th century, the crypts were flooded with water. Suddenly thousands of bones floated to the surface, scaring the daylights out of the priests who hadn’t known they were there. When you visit the church, especially on a rainy night, see if you can hear the sounds of bones swaying in the water underneath. 

But this is not the end of the dark tales haunting his building. This church is where two Doge’s of Venice were murdered. The church was even once better as the La Chiesa Degli Omicidi – The Church of Murders. Pietro Tradonico was murdered on September 13th, 864. He was attacked by a group of malcontents as he was leaving after confession. After he died, they buried him in this very church. I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t want to be buried right where I was murdered.

Vitale II Michiel

But, looks like it was a Venetian trend! Because later in May 1172, Vitale II Michiel was also murdered here. Michiel was accused of both the destruction of the Venetian fleet at the hands of Byzantine rebels as well as bringing the plague back into the city. Not a great reputation. An angry mob gathered outside the palace and he tried to escape them by running to the convent here at Zaccaria. But stabbed to death by one of the mob before he arrived. Eight doges in total are buried here, all of whom met a violent end. Probably should have stopped burying them here…seems like the church is well, cursed. Probably by all those nuns who burned to death.

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Pillars of Piazzetta San Marco

Now we come into the Piazzetta San Marco. This time of night the square is so much quieter than when visitors flood it during the day. Standing tall in the square are the two pillars of San Marco and San Todaro. But before you take another step, be warned, it is said that if you stand in between the two columns you’ll be cursed.

The two columns were brought here from Constantinople, along with a third. But the ship carrying them sank to the bottom of the sea, and the third column was lost forever. The area between the two columns was used as the site for public executions for many years embuing the columns with dark memories and no doubt cursing the stones below with the blood of the fallen.

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St Mark’s Campanile

Another way people were punished and sometimes killed in Venice was to hang from the top of the St. Mark’s Campanile locked in a cage. This was called ‘supplizio Della cheba’, or the suspended cage. This method of torture was mainly used prior to the 15th century. The person convicted was almost always a member of the clergy. Often the crimes could be anything from sodomy, murder, forgery to blasphemy. The length of time you were in the cage, depending on the severity of the crime. When in the cage, the criminal could feed himself through a string with which he could drag bread and drinking water. Often this was almost impossible and the person would die. A haunting image of a less than beautiful St. Marks square.

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Rio Terrà dei Assassini

Rio Tera’ degli Assassini translates into the Assassins’ Street and the adjacent Assassins’ Bridge. This bridge connected the more upscale neighbourhood of San Marco to the red light district where you could find all the best brothels. The street is very narrow and often was extremely dark. The most famous story from this street was in 1507. A nobleman was murdered here and his body was discovered by a local baker named Piero Tasca. The baker saw the murder weapon on the ground nearby. Seeing its silver blade and gem-encrusted hilt he grabbed the dagger in the hope of trading it for some money to feed his family. But, as he went to grab it, the authorities arrived and arrested him for the murder.

They promptly sentenced him to death, despite his objections. A few weeks later, the real murderer confessed. From that day forward the saying recorded del polo fornareto (Remember the poor baker) was uttered in council meetings for the Republic of Venice to think twice before making a grave mistake in execution sentencing. Some people have been heard to smell freshly baked bread floating through the air here, even in the dead of night.

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Grassi Palace

The Palazzo Grassi is home to a billionaire and contemporary art collector Francois Pinault. When the Palazzo was being restored in the 80s, a night watchman was walking through the building when he heard a young girl’s voice. The voice screamed, “stop!“. The nightwatchman froze in place and turned on his light. He looked about but couldn’t see anything. He was moving more slowly now in order to keep an eye out for the person whose voice he heard when suddenly he noticed a huge hole in the floor! This voice had been warning him to stop, before falling to his death.

After asking around, the owners discovered that years ago a young girl had been thrown off the balcony into the courtyard below. She had been trapped in an abusive living situation and unfortunately died at the hands of her abuser. It seems that she now tries to protect others around the palace, from any kind of suffering.

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Palazzo Dario

This picturesque house looks like the most idyllic little spot in Venice but Palazzo Dario is a house of two faces. The intricate Istrian stone, richly decorated with marble and circular medallions communicates nothing but beauty. But it’s dark side is really pretty dark. The house also goes by the name the ‘house that kills’ and is thought to be the most haunted house in all of Venice. Almost anywho who has lived here or owned the building has been murdered, died by suicide, been in a terrible accident or went bankrupt, so…keep your distance!

In the 15th century, the house was built and the Dario family moved in. Almost immediately, their daughter committed suicide. Her husband went bankrupt and their son perished in a fight. Rumours are that the house was built on top of an old Templar cemetery who weren’t so happy with a big house being dumped on top of their graves. Outside the house is a plaque that is engraved with the name of the first owner, “Giovanni Dario to the Genius of the City“. But smart sleuths have discovered that in Italians, you can make an anagram out of these letters to make it spell, Sub ruina insidiosa genero (I bring treacherous ruins to those who live under this roof). Pretty spooky right?

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Punta della Dogana

The Punta Della Dogana is located at the end of the island of Dorsoduro and gives visitors a beautiful view of the Grand Canal. While enjoying the view, don’t blink twice if you happen to see something larger than life slithering around in the water. Legend has it that inside these dark waters lives a large sea serpent, like that loch ness monster. If it happens to be a moonless night you might be in luck since the monster favours nights when its darkest. Fishermen swear they have seen the creature although no evidence of its existence has been proven yet. Maybe you’ll be the first to get it on camera!

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Poveglia

We can’t talk about the hauntings of Venice without discussing Poveglia. But unfortunately, the island is pretty inaccessible to visitors. There are reports that you can hire a private boat which will take you there for about 180 euros, and I did manage to find a company which offers tours there for 350 euros! But since the island is officially off-limits to anyone, you are taking a risk by going there yourself. But standing on edge of Dorsoduro, look out into the black waters and imagine for yourself the island of death which is also known as Poveglia.

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Poveglia isn’t just one of the most haunted places in Venice, but one of the most haunted places in Europe! Poveglia was located at the edge of the lagoon and therefore a good spot to quarantine people coming into the lagoon by ship in the 16th century. During this time the plague was ravaging Europe and the Magistrato alla Sanità (Public Health Office) were trying their best to ensure it didn’t enter the cramped city of Venice, where it would spread like wildfire. In 1793 the first of two ships were placed into temporary confinement on the island when the plague was discovered on their ship. Unfortunately, they couldn’t keep it contained here and instead the island was turned into a giant burial ground.

Plague Graves

Over 160,000 plague victims were brought to the island during this period. Bodies were simply piled one on top of the other and even those who were sent here to bury the dead, often met their end here before they finished the job. Once the pile was too large for any new bodies, the whole pile would be burned to ash. It is said that there isn’t an inch of soil on Poveglia that isn’t mixed with the ashes of thousands of bodies.

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Psychiatric Hospital

After lying almost abandoned for years, in 1922 a psychiatric hospital was built on the island. The hospital was run by a cruel doctor who performed horrific experiments on his patients, who he deemed less than human. Located so far away from the prying eyes of the city, the doctor felt like he could do whatever he wanted here. It didn’t even take much to be sent to the asylum here in Poveglia. Understanding the treatment for mental illness was just in its infancy and it seemed like anyone who was even the slightest bit less than normal was sent here to the asylum.

The doctor was thought to have been driven mad, perhaps by the plague ghosts of the island, who were trying to protect the innocent souls he was abusing. The doctor attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the hospital belltower. But, almost in a twist of fate, he survives the jump. His injuries were traumatic and eventually, he would succumb to his wounds, but not without a tremendous amount of suffering. Karma. The hospital closed in 1968 and since then the island has been off-limits for anyone. The buildings have been left to the elements and are literally falling apart. People have heard noises coming from the abandoned island late at night. Is that the sound of the buildings falling down, or ghosts crying out in the night? I’ll let you decide.

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For those of you brave enough to have made it through the entire tour, kudos to you! You’re truly a superior ghost hunter! Let me know in the comment what your favourite story from the tour was or if you were lucky enough to spot a spectre!

Happy (spooky) Travels, Adventurers

The post A Free Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Haunted Canals of Venice first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.