A new study by travel experts Neuschwanstein Castle Tickets & Tours has revealed the most Instagrammable haunted locations in Germany ahead of Halloween. The study examined Instagram hashtags associated with 17 spooky sites across the country, calculating the total number of hashtagged posts for each location. The results highlighted the most popular and photographed haunted sites in Germany.
10. Frankenstein Castle, Hesse – 14,317 hashtagged posts
At number 10 is Frankenstein Castle in Hesse, with 14,317 hashtagged posts. Rumoured to be the inspiration for Mary Shelley’s famous novel, this castle regularly attracts ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts from around the world.
9. Berlin Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island), Berlin – 21,992 hashtagged posts
This idyllic island is home to a beautiful palace and gardens, but it is also said to be haunted by a 16th-century alchemist who experimented with black magic.
8. Hohenzollern Castle, Baden-Württemberg – 22,496 hashtagged posts
Hohenzollern Castle in Baden-Württemberg comes in at number eight with 22,496 hashtagged posts. This medieval castle is said to be haunted by the ghost of Countess Kunigunde von Orlamünde, who murdered her two sons in a tragic misunderstanding.
7. The Spreepark, Berlin – 32,444 hashtagged posts
This abandoned amusement park has become a popular spot for urban explorers and ghost hunters due to its eerie atmosphere and reports of paranormal activity.
6. Rakotz Bridge, Gablenz – 39,304 hashtagged posts
This picturesque bridge, also known as the ‘Devil’s Bridge’, is said to be cursed by a pact made between its builder and the devil himself.
5. Schloss Nordkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia – 67,246 hashtagged posts
Schloss Nordkirchen, often called the “Versailles of Westphalia,” was built in the 18th century. While more known for its grandeur, there are local legends about ghostly figures appearing in the castle’s vast grounds, particularly near the surrounding forest. The scale of the property and its historical significance continue to attract those interested in its past, including rumours of paranormal activity.
4. Heidelberg Castle, Baden-Württemberg – 117,017 hashtagged posts
Heidelberg Castle has stood for centuries, suffering multiple fires and sieges. It’s rumoured to be haunted by various spirits, including that of a ‘White Lady’, who has been spotted wandering the castle grounds. Its turbulent history, including partial destruction during the Thirty Years’ War, has added to the castle’s haunted reputation.
3. Beelitz-Heilstätten, Brandenburg – 138,826 hashtagged posts
Beelitz-Heilstätten is an abandoned sanatorium originally built in the late 19th century which later served as a military hospital during both World Wars. The sprawling, decaying complex is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who died there, with many visitors reporting strange noises and sightings. Its empty wards and operating rooms, slowly overtaken by nature, make it a popular destination for urban explorers and ghost hunters.
2. Burg Eltz, Rhineland-Palatinate – 223,212 hashtagged posts
Burg Eltz is a medieval castle dating back to the 12th century and it has remained in the same family for over 850 years. Legends tell of ghostly apparitions, including Countess Agnes, the daughter of the Eltz family. She died fighting to protect the castle against a rejected suitor and is said to still haunt the Countess Room. Its well-preserved architecture and secluded location have made it a favourite among those interested in both history and the paranormal.
1. Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria – 1,047,674 hashtagged posts
Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the late 19th century by King Ludwig II, who commissioned it as a retreat but died under mysterious circumstances before it was completed. The castle’s isolated location in the Alps and its connection to Ludwig’s strange death have contributed to rumours of hauntings, and it’s said that the king’s ghost still roams the halls.