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Top 10 Creepiest Ancient Sites That Are Haunted

 Top 10 Creepiest Ancient Sites That Are Haunted
VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton WRITTEN BY: Nathan Sharp
These creepy locations are not for the faint of heart. For this list, we'll be looking at sites around the world that are many centuries old and reputed to be inhabited by ghosts. Our countdown includes Château de Brissac, Edinburgh Castle, The Colosseum, and more!

#10: Xunantunich

Belize
In western Belize, close to the Guatemalan border, Xunantunich is an archaeological site that was once a Mayan ceremonial center. The most famous feature of the site is El Castillo, a 130-foot tall stone pyramid. After the site was explored in the 1890s by amateur archaeologist Thomas Gann, it didn’t take long for ghost stories to emerge. One member of a research team reportedly saw a red-eyed woman in white on the steps of El Castillo. The woman has become a famous aspect of the site and is known as The Stone Woman. Numerous visitors have reported seeing the eerie spectre. In fact, “Xunantunich” is a modern name meaning “Maiden of the Rock”, its original Mayan name having long been forgotten.

#9: Château de Brissac

France
Ancient manor houses and ghosts go together like peanut butter and jelly. Just gazing upon the old, imposing stonework can send shivers through your soul. Located in France’s Loire Valley, the Château de Brissac was built in the 11th century, then rebuilt by the chief minister to King Charles VII. The château is currently open for public tours, but reportedly houses a ghost known as The Green Lady. It’s been said that the ghost’s true identity is Charlotte de Brézé, the illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII, who supposedly met a grisly demise at her husband’s hand. Now she haunts the château wearing a green dress and traumatizing visitors.

#8: Zvíkov Castle

Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is home to several haunted castles. Houska Castle is said to cover a gateway to Hell, and there have been reports of nightmarish creatures emerging from the hole. The Gothic Zvíkov Castle, dated back to the 13th century, is even creepier. Zvíkov is said to have a resident ghost, and visitors have claimed to have caught sight of otherworldly apparitions. They’ve also reported technical issues with their cameras, and that animals in the area behave unpredictably. The castle has a “The Ring” vibe to it, as it’s said that anyone who stays inside the main tower will die within a year.

#7: Edinburgh Castle

Scotland
Serving as Edinburgh’s most famous draw, Edinburgh Castle is a massive fortress that looks over the city from its regal position atop Castle Rock. It has played an integral role in several historic scuffles, including the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 13th and 14th centuries. The loss of lives there in the past may be the reason tourists have long reported eerie sensations inside the castle, like having their clothes tugged and rapid drops in temperature. They’ve also reported seeing shadowy figures in the cold, gloomy halls. Not really a place you want to wander off alone inside.

#6: Petra

Jordan
One of the most unique locations on Earth, Petra is an ancient city located in southern Jordan. It is perhaps most well known for its rock-cut architecture, with most buildings having been carved into sandstone rock faces. This includes the popular Al-Khazneh, the building seen in postcards, travel documentaries, and even “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”. Being so incredibly old, Petra is naturally said to be haunted by various spirits― some of which are not so friendly. It’s said that the area houses djinn, supernatural spirits featured in Islamic mythology. Is there something more dangerous than the Holy Grail within these ancient sandstone walls?

#5: Tower of London

England
One of London’s most popular attractions, the Tower of London has overlooked the River Thames for a thousand years. In its lifetime, it’s served many purposes. However, it’s most famous for being a prison, housing prominent inmates like Anne Boleyn and Sir Walter Raleigh. One of the tower’s most notorious ghosts is that of Boleyn, whose headless apparition is said to haunt the tower’s chilly interior. But her ghost is said to be just one of a much larger spectral ghost, which also includes the Princes in the Tower, the White Woman of the Keep, and even ghost horses with red eyes.

#4: Davelis Cave

Greece
This cave is an important part of Greek history and culture. Located north of Athens, the area around Davelis Cave was used for the extraction of marble for the Acropolis. It’s also been linked to various religions, having been used to worship Pan in ancient times, and later housing a small Orthodox Christian church. Today, the cave is associated with black magic and the occult, and associated with numerous urban legends. It’s said that water travels upwards inside the cave, and people have reported seeing bizarre and otherworldly creatures.

#3: Ancient Ram Inn

England
Said to be an extremely haunted hotel in England, the Ancient Ram Inn has been standing in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire since the 12th century. Today, the inn is famous around the world for its alleged paranormal activity. It has been featured on countless ghost hunting TV shows, including “Most Haunted” and “Ghost Adventures”. The site is said to lay on an ancient Pagan burial ground and to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who met her demise at the stake in the 1500s. The previous owner, John Humphries, reportedly experienced violent bouts of paranormal activity and discovered evidence of Devil worship and sacrificial rituals.

#2: Valley of the Kings

Egypt
This desert valley houses the tombs of ancient Egyptian nobles and pharaohs. The area is best known for containing the tomb of King Tutankhamun, opened by English archaeologist Howard Carter in 1923. Supposedly, he and his team were then struck by the Curse of the Pharaohs, with several members dying over subsequent years - including Carter himself in the late 1930s. Visitors have claimed to have spotted a pharaoh driving a fiery chariot through the valley. Could it be King Tut? It’s also rumored that Carter’s ghost haunts the pyramids of Giza.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Leap Castle, Ireland
Described as the World’s Most Haunted Castle

Kuldhara, India
A Haunted Indian Village Dating Back to the 13th Century

Poveglia, Italy
This Italian Island Near Venice Served as a Plague Quarantine Site

Frankenstein Castle, Germany
The Inspiration for “Frankenstein” Is Home to Many Myths & Urban Legends

#1: The Colosseum

Italy
Perhaps the most famous symbol of antiquity, the Roman Colosseum was built in the late first century and still stands as the world’s largest amphitheater. It could hold from 50,000 to 80,000 spectators―roughly the capacity of a modern-day football stadium. The Colosseum’s tendency to house violent activities like gladiator battles resulted in some serious negative energy. It’s not surprising that countless visitors have experienced some creepy goings-on. Shadow figures are often reported, as are ghostly howls and faint screams. The underground tunnels are said to be haunted by the likes of slaves, gladiators, and those awaiting violent sentences. The Colosseum makes for an amazing sight, but also an undeniably creepy one.

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