Approximately 30 miles north of Prague, a mysterious castle known as Houska Castle in the Czech countryside has been the subject of spooky local lore since it was first constructed in 1278. Houska Castle’s unusual floor plan and remote location, far removed from major water sources, trade routes, or strategically important areas, caused many locals to speculate that supernatural forces inspired Ottokar II of Bohemia to build the secluded fortress.
Photo by Flickr
The official story is that Ottokar II of Bohemia built Houska Castle to serve as an administrative center where he could manage multiple estates. Local lore states that Houska Castle’s unusual inward-facing fortifications were designed to keep demons and evil spirits from emerging from the pit on which the castle was built. The pit was allegedly so terrifying that a young prisoner who was lowered into the abyss to report what he saw emerged looking several decades older, with stark white hair.
Photo by Flickr
Houska Castle is steeped in spooky history. Folklore enthusiasts claim that in the 1600s, a Swedish magician named Oronto set up shop in Houska Castle to perfect his recipe for a potion that would ensure eternal life. During World War II, Houska Castle was briefly inhabited by Nazis who were rumored to have performed occult rituals in Houska Castle’s chapel.
Photo by Flickr
Visitors can tour Houska Castle’s eerie grounds, including a chapel dedicated to the archangel Michael, who successfully waged war on the devil. The chapel features a mural of a woman who is half-horse and half-human, shooting an arrow with her left hand—a pagan tableau unlike any other painting that exists in a Gothic castle constructed in Christian Europe in the 13th century.
Houska Castle is surrounded by towering mountains and dense woods. The upper levels of Houska Castle offer a sweeping view of the Czech countryside. The interior of the castle features plenty of devilish decor, including pitchforks, demons sculpted out of iron, and a playful diorama that depicts a day in the afterlife of the ghouls and goblins of the underworld.
If you’re interested in exploring an unusual castle with a supernatural history, a trip to Houska Castle is an absolute must. Even if you’re skeptical about uncanny happenings, the striking beauty of the mountains and forests that surround Houska Castle is worth the trek. The inverted construction, eerie history, and…
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