Carl Beck House, Canada

Carl Beck House in Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada. This historic house is an architectural marvel, so much so that its original owners may have forgotten to leave...and now it's rentable to tourists!

The Carl Beck House was built in 1885 by Carl Beck, one of the richest lumber merchants in the province at the time. He spared no expense in creating this grand Queen Anne Revival structure, which features the town's only slate roof, a rare and elegant feature in Victorian architecture. The house was home to Beck, his wife, and their nine children, and also served as the "First House" of the town when Beck was the mayor from 1892 to 1895.

But behind the beautiful facade of the Beck House lies a dark and tragic history. Beck's wife died young, leaving their eldest daughter, Mary, to raise her siblings. Mary eventually left the family to get married and have her own children, a move that angered Beck so much that he left her only $1 in his will. Two of Beck's children also died in the house, one from tuberculosis and one from a fall down the stairs.

It's no wonder then that the Beck House is considered the most haunted house in Canada. Many visitors and former residents have reported paranormal activity in the house, such as objects moving on their own, lights flickering on and off, doors slamming shut, and footsteps and voices heard throughout. Some have even claimed to see apparitions of Mary and her siblings, as well as other unknown spirits.

If you are brave enough to spend a night in this haunted house, you can book the top-floor apartment on Airbnb for around $140 per night. The apartment has two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom, and can accommodate up to four guests. You will also have access to the grounds of the house, which include a gazebo and a fire pit.

But be warned: you might not get a peaceful sleep in this haunted house. You might feel a slight tugging on your blankets, as if Mary is tucking you in. You might hear a female voice shooing you away, or a child crying in the night. You might even see a ghostly figure standing over your bed, staring at you with cold eyes.

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Old Parliament House, Canberra, Australia

Old Parliament House, now the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD). This historic building, which served as the seat of federal government from 1927 to 1988, has witnessed many dramatic events and personalities in Australian politics. But it also has a darker side, with stories of death, near-death, and paranormal activity that will send shivers down your spine.

The ghost tours at MoAD are led by knowledgeable guides who will take you on a torchlit journey through the corridors and chambers of the old building. You will hear about the prime ministers who died in office, such as Joe Lyons, John Curtin and Harold Holt, and their possible lingering presence. You will also learn about Alfred Deakin, one of the founding fathers of federation, who was a keen spiritualist and participated in seances.

But the most chilling stories come from the staff who work at MoAD, especially the cleaners and security guards who have encountered strange phenomena after hours. Some have reported hearing voices, footsteps, knocks, and even screams in the empty rooms. Others have seen apparitions, shadows, and orbs of light. And some have smelled unusual odours, such as tobacco smoke, perfume, or flowers.

One of the most haunted places in the building is the House of Representatives chamber, where a cleaner claimed that a ghost at one of the backbenches would regularly call her name. The identity of this ghost is still unknown, but some speculate that it could be one of the politicians who died in the chamber, such as Billy Hughes or Arthur Fadden.

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Ancient Ram Inn, England

Ancient Ram Inn, England's most haunted building. Located in the village of Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, this former pub and inn dates back to 1145 and has a dark and sinister history that attracts ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts from all over the world.

The Ancient Ram Inn was built on the site of a pagan burial ground that lies on the Ley Lines, which are believed to be lines of spiritual energy that connect ancient sites such as Stonehenge. Some say that this location opened up a portal for evil forces and entities to enter the inn. Over the centuries, the inn has witnessed many gruesome events, such as ritual sacrifices, devil worship, murders, and suicides. It is also said that a witch was burned at the stake in one of the rooms during the 1500s.

The inn has been owned by John Humphries since 1968, who bought it to save it from demolition. He claims that he was attacked by a demonic force on his first night there and that he has experienced many paranormal phenomena ever since. He has found evidence of human and animal sacrifices on the property, as well as the skeletal remains of children who were stabbed with daggers. He also believes that there are at least 20 ghosts haunting the inn, including a former priest, several bishops, a dark monk, a witch, a succubus, and a little girl named Rosie.

The inn is open for overnight ghost hunts and tours for those who dare to enter its haunted halls. Many visitors have reported seeing apparitions, hearing voices and footsteps, feeling cold spots and touches, smelling strange odors, and witnessing objects moving by themselves. Some have even fled in terror after encountering something too frightening to describe. 

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Catacombs of Paris, France

These are underground tunnels that hold the bones of more than six million people, who were transferred there from overcrowded cemeteries in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Catacombs of Paris are not for the faint of heart, as they are dark, damp, and filled with macabre sights and stories.

The Catacombs of Paris were originally part of the ancient stone quarries that supplied the building material for the city. However, as Paris grew and expanded, the quarries became unstable and dangerous, causing collapses and sinkholes. To prevent further damage, the authorities created a General Inspectorate of Quarries to map and reinforce the underground network.

At the same time, Paris was facing another problem: its cemeteries were overflowing with corpses, creating health and sanitation issues. The largest cemetery, the Cimetière des Innocents, was so full that its walls burst open, spilling bones into a neighboring basement. The authorities decided to close down all the cemeteries within the city limits and move the remains to a more suitable location.

The solution was to use the abandoned quarries as ossuaries, where bones could be stored in an orderly fashion. The transfer of bones began in 1786, with nightly processions of wagons covered with black cloth. The bones were dumped into wells and then arranged into piles or patterns by workers. The ossuary was consecrated as the Catacombs of Paris in 1786, and received its first official visitors in 1787.

The Catacombs of Paris soon became a curiosity and a tourist attraction, especially for the upper classes and foreign visitors. They were also used for clandestine activities, such as secret societies, political meetings, or illegal parties. During World War II, the French Resistance used the Catacombs as a hiding place and a base of operations. Today, the Catacombs are open to the public as a museum, but only a small portion of the tunnels is accessible. The rest is off-limits and guarded by police.

The Catacombs of Paris are not only a historical monument, but also a haunted place. Many people claim to have seen or heard ghosts, spirits, or strange phenomena in the tunnels. Some say they have felt cold spots, heard whispers or screams, or seen apparitions or shadows. Others say they have experienced disorientation, panic attacks, or feelings of being watched or followed. Some even say they have been touched or pushed by unseen forces.

The Catacombs of Paris are not for everyone, but if you are brave enough and curious enough, you might want to explore this fascinating and eerie underworld. You will need to book your tickets in advance, as they sell out quickly. You will also need to follow some rules: no flash photography, no touching the bones, no smoking, no eating or drinking, no loud noises, and no straying from the marked path. You will also need to bring a flashlight, a warm jacket, and comfortable shoes. And most importantly, you will need to bring your courage and your respect for the dead.

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