Boo! 9 Haunted Buildings with Ghost Stories
Who says buildings are only for the living? These 9 buildings harbor 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 stands in northern Jutland, Denmark, with its soaring towers and beautiful Renaissance details. The castle’s oldest wing dates back to around 1520, and it was later expanded by the noblewoman Ingeborg Skeel. But behind its red-brick walls lurk some truly gruesome tales.
According to legend, Ingeborg was a ruthless mistress of the castle who, among other atrocities, pushed the castle’s master builder into the moat and murdered a pregnant servant girl. One of the tower rooms is said to still bear 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 lie flat.
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, like so many historic fortresses, has its fair share of legends.
Deep beneath the castle, in a labyrinth of dark underground passages known as the casemates, the legendary Danish hero Holger Danske 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 haunting Kronborg after the lights go out …
Photo: Dragsholm slot 3. Buried Alive Behind a Wall
Dragsholm Castle
You may already be familiar with the whitewashed Dragsholm Castle in Odsherred, Denmark, but have you heard the tale of the White Lady? Built in the Middle Ages and later remodeled in the Renaissance style, the castle hides a tragic story within its thick walls.
According to legend, a young noblewoman fell in love with a man of lower social standing – a romance her father strongly disapproved of. As punishment, he had her sealed 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 supposedly 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 lore, the rumble of his horse-drawn carriage can still be heard echoing through 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 the 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 moat, and dark, winding corridors, it was certainly built for defense. 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 builder, Jens Holgersen Ulfstand, in a rather unusual form. So if you hear something rustling in the dark corridors, you might want to think twice before assuming it's just an ordinary dog.
Photo: Hjorths Badehotel 5. The Guest Who Never Checked Out
Hjorths Badehotel
Near Skagen, at the northern tip of Denmark, stands Hjorths Badehotel, with its signature Skagen-yellow facade and the timeless charm of a traditional seaside hotel. But apparently, vacationers aren't the only ones who stop by – at least not according to local legend.
One of the hotel's ghost stories centers on Engel Kristine, who lived at the hotel 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 quietly 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 quite 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 centuries-old brick buildings and long, winding cloisters, there's plenty of history to explore – including a few tales of the supernatural …
According to local legend, a mysterious man roams the monastery's corridors every New Year's Eve. But he's not the only ghost said to haunt the building. Stories also tell of a woman whose tragic fate remains shrouded in mystery. Some believe she was a nun who became pregnant by a monk. Others claim she had an affair with a wealthy man and was sealed alive in the monastery's basement walls. No one has ever seen her, but legend has it that you can feel her presence as a sudden breath against the back of your neck when she passes by.
Photo: Danske Slotshoteller 7. Gold Fever and Goodnight Kisses
Store Restrup
Near Aalborg stands the historic Store Restrup manor house, with its whitewashed walls and red-tiled roof. The estate's history dates all the way back to 1314, while the main building was constructed in 1723. And with a history stretching back so many centuries, perhaps it's no surprise that the place has a few ghost stories of its own …
According to legend, the former lord of the manor, Iwer Rosenkrantz Levertzaw, still roams the grounds, tossing dirt aside in his endless search for buried treasure. The treasure is said to contain enough gold to rebuild the entire manor – but it will only reveal itself on the day the building burns to the ground!
Another ghost, however, seems far more peaceful, content to give sleeping young children a gentle 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 Sea, along with an imposing collection of concrete bunkers. The fort was built by German occupying forces during World War II to defend the port of Frederikshavn.
Behind its thick concrete walls lies a maze of dark rooms and narrow corridors once occupied by soldiers. But according to local lore, wartime history isn't the only thing lurking within these walls.
Visitors and ghost hunters have reported mysterious noises and disembodied voices echoing through the old bunkers. Some even claim to have captured voices speaking English on audio recordings, shouting “RUN”. And perhaps that's advice worth taking …
Photo: Hans-Henrik Fuglede Rottbøll 9. Hans Christian Andersen Gets a Scare
Børglum Monastery
If you've seen the Danish Christmas TV series Ludvig & Julemanden, you might already recognize Børglum Monastery in northern Jutland – it's where the series was filmed. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the historic monastery is known for its whitewashed buildings, impressive abbey church, and long corridors. But ghosts aren't just something you'll find in the Christmas series!
The monastery has its own collection of spine-chilling tales, from mysterious footsteps and doors opening on their own to monks dressed in white silently wandering the corridors.
Even the famous Danish fairy-tale writer Hans Christian Andersen got quite a scare when he spent the night 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 a reflection of light on a door. Or perhaps he'd simply had one too many drinks the night before …
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