Boo! 9 Buildings with Ghost Stories
Who says buildings are only for the living? These 9 buildings are home to ghost stories that will send shivers down even the bravest spine. You can even visit them yourself – if you dare!
By Ida Elva Hagen
Photo: Voergaard slot 1. Bloodstains and a Dark Dungeon
Voergaard Castle
Surrounded by a moat, Voergaard Castle in North Jutland rises majestically with its tall towers and beautiful Renaissance details. The castle’s oldest wing dates back to around 1520 and was later expanded by noblewoman Ingeborg Skeel. But behind its red brick walls lurk some truly gruesome tales.
According to legend, Ingeborg was a ruthless mistress who pushed the castle’s master builder into the moat and murdered a pregnant servant girl. One of the castle’s tower rooms supposedly still bears a bloodstain that no amount of scrubbing can remove. And deep beneath the castle lies a dark dungeon where prisoners were once confined in a space so cramped they could neither stand upright nor stretch out to lie down.
Photo: Thomas Rafn-Larsen 2. Mysterious Sounds in the Øresund Strait
Kronborg Castle
With its soaring towers, golden spires, and magnificent Renaissance architecture, Kronborg Castle stands right on the shores of the Øresund Strait. Built during the reign of King Frederick II in the late 1500s, the castle has, like so many historic fortresses, its fair share of legends and ghost stories.
Deep beneath the castle, in a maze of dark underground passages known as the casemates, the legendary Danish hero Holger Danske (Ogier the Dane) sits fast asleep. According to legend, he will only awaken when Denmark faces grave danger. But it seems he may not be alone … Over the years, guards and visitors alike have reportedly heard mysterious footsteps and doors slamming shut on their own. So perhaps Holger Danske isn’t the only one roaming Kronborg Castle after the lights go out…
Photo: Dragsholm slot 3. Walled Up Alive
Dragsholm Castle
You may already be familiar with the whitewashed Dragsholm Castle in Odsherred, but have you heard of the White Lady? Built in the Middle Ages and later remodeled in the Renaissance style, the castle hides a tragic tale within its thick walls.
According to legend, a young noblewoman fell in love with a man beneath her social standing – a romance that certainly didn't sit well with her father. As punishment, he had her walled up alive inside the castle walls. Today, her ghost, known as the White Lady, is said to still wander the castle's corridors in search of her lost love.
But she's not alone! The Gray Lady is also said to haunt the castle, although she apparently roams its halls to watch over the building. And let's not forget the Scottish earl James Hepburn, who was imprisoned here in the 1500s. According to local tales, you can still hear his horse-drawn carriage rumbling into the castle courtyard.
Photo: Fredrik Arvidsson 4. A Bark from Hell
Glimmingehus
In the Swedish region of Skåne stands Glimmingehus, the best-preserved medieval castle in the Nordic countries. Built in 1499 by Danish knight Jens Holgersen Ulfstand, back when Skåne was still part of Denmark, the fortress was designed to keep unwanted visitors out. With stone walls more than two meters thick, a surrounding moat, and dark, winding passageways, it was certainly built for the job. But perhaps something has managed to find its way inside after all.
According to an old legend, Glimmingehus is haunted by a ghostly dog engulfed in flames, believed to be none other than the castle’s original owner and builder, Jens Holgersen Ulfstand, in a rather unusual form. So if you hear something stirring in the dark corridors, the creature lurking around the corner might not be your average four-legged friend.
Photo: Hjorths Badehotel 5. The Guest Who Never Checked Out
Hjorths Badehotel
Near Skagen, Hjorths Badehotel welcomes visitors with its signature Skagen-yellow facade and the timeless charm of a traditional Danish seaside hotel. But according to local legend, vacationers aren't the only guests who stop by.
One of the hotel's ghost stories centers on Engel Kristine, who stayed there in the early 1900s before dying of the Spanish flu. Described as a petite, slightly hunched woman in a light summer dress, she is said to still wander along the hotel's eastern side. She moves silently through the garden, past the French doors and around the corner of the building, before suddenly vanishing without a trace. Perhaps she's simply not ready to check out?
Photo: Nordjyske Museer 6. A Breath on the Back of Your Neck
Aalborg Monastery
In the heart of Aalborg stands Aalborg Monastery, founded all the way back in 1431. With its historic brick buildings and long, atmospheric corridors, there's plenty of history to uncover – including a few tales of the supernatural …
According to legend, a mysterious man wanders the monastery's corridors every New Year's Eve. But he's not the only spirit said to haunt the building. Some believe a female ghost was once a nun who became pregnant by a monk. Others claim she had an affair with a wealthy man and was walled up alive in the basement. No one has ever seen her, but they say you can feel her presence as a sudden breath on the back of your neck when she passes by.
Photo: Store Restrup Slotshotel 7. Gold Fever and Goodnight Kisses
Store Restrup
Near Aalborg stands the historic Store Restrup manor, with its whitewashed walls and red tile roof. The estate's history stretches all the way back to 1314, while the main building dates to 1723. And with so many centuries of history behind it, perhaps it's no surprise that the manor has a few ghost stories of its own …
According to legend, former lord of the manor Iwer Rosenkrantz Levertzaw still roams the grounds, tossing dirt aside in search of buried treasure. The treasure is said to reveal itself only on the day the manor burns down – and to contain enough gold to rebuild the entire estate!
But the female ghost is apparently a much gentler spirit, content to give sleeping young children a soft kiss on the forehead.
Photo: Destination NORD - Peter Jørgensen 8. Mysterious Cries from the Bunkers
Bangsbo Fort
Perched on a hill near Frederikshavn, Bangsbo Fort offers sweeping views of the Kattegat Strait alongside its imposing concrete bunkers. The fort was built by German occupying forces during World War II to defend the port of Frederikshavn.
Behind the thick concrete walls lies a maze of dark rooms and narrow passageways once occupied by soldiers. But according to local stories, wartime history isn't the only thing lurking in these bunkers.
Visitors and ghost hunters have reported hearing mysterious noises and disembodied voices echoing through the old bunkers. Some even claim to have captured English-speaking voices on audio recordings, shouting “RUN”. And perhaps that's advice worth taking …
Photo: Hans-Henrik Fuglede Rottbøll 9. A Frightened Hans Christian Andersen
Børglum Monastery
If you've seen the Danish Christmas TV series Ludvig & Julemanden, you might already recognize Børglum Monastery in North Jutland – it's where the series was filmed. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the historic monastery is known for its whitewashed buildings, impressive church, and long, atmospheric corridors. But ghosts aren't just something you'll find in the TV series!
The monastery has its fair share of eerie tales, from mysterious footsteps and doors opening on their own to white-robed monks silently wandering the hallways.
Even the famous Danish fairy-tale writer Hans Christian Andersen got quite a scare when he stayed at the monastery in 1859. In the middle of the night, he spotted a mysterious figure in his room. Fortunately, it turned out to be nothing more than light reflecting off a door. Or perhaps he'd simply had one too many drinks the night before…
More from DAC Magazine
DAC Magazine
