The world is full of awe-inspiring places that seem too surreal to be true, or are shrouded in stories that simply cannot be explained. While many of these spooky goings-on have logical explanations, others remain an enigma. From rock formations said to be crafted by the Devil himself to spine-chilling castles thought to be haunted, join us as we explore Europe’s most mysterious (and magical) places. The following ranking, it’s worth adding, is based on the humble opinions of our editorial team.
Read on to discover what we’ve deemed to be Europe’s most mysterious spot…
31. Blue Grotto, Capri, ItalyAndy333/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0z1Gv6IMKuhvrM3UPh8TXw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/4d15533bb5960a4fcc3e1840e5404423>
Filled with ancient oak trees and moss-covered rock formations, Wistman’s Wood is one of the UK’s most ethereal places. Like a scene from a Tolkien novel, the high-altitude woodland is thought to have grown around 12,000 years ago, following the last Ice Age. Yet the wood has a reputation for mystical happenings too. As well as apparently being the site for sacred Druid rituals, it is also thought to be the home of demon dogs, who prey on lonely travellers. It’s set along the Lych Way, or Way of the Dead, an ancient path that was also once used to transport coffins to the nearby churchyard.
29. Mermaid’s Pool, Derbyshire, England, UKMNStudio/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FIwAABQsfr5EFXS8.fLYZw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/572d43ec9e3609024989e554c4d84742>
Spectacular and surreal for all the right reasons, Pindus Mountain in northern Greece is one of the country’s most mesmerising landscapes. Here, you’ll find Vikos Gorge, named the deepest in the world by Guinness World Records, and Dragon Lake with its crystalline waters and mystical past. According to folklore, two huge dragons once lived in the mountains and during a fight, threw enormous rocks down to the valley, creating the lakes below.
26. Lyngen Fjord, Troms and Finnmark, NorwayBasotxerri/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fy0BAspbV.H17spw9u60FQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/98bdb229be62f0202a879ecc51fc3039>
Is there anything more unsettling than an abandoned village or town? We certainly don’t think so and Ochate on the outskirts of Burgos, Spain, is one place we definitely wouldn’t want to venture at night. Why this village was abandoned at the end of the 19th century remains a mystery, but the Spanish Flu, bad weather and a murder may all have played a role. The deserted village is now said to be haunted by a murdered shepherd, while UFOs were sighted in the area during the 1980s.
23. Cadair Idris, Snowdonia National Park, Wales, UKieuan/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1_8upjiF3s79gWnu5oVg5w–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/160e497703c841ddc8b123d42dba3e53>
As well as being one of the most iconic mountains in Wales, Cadair Idris is also shrouded in mystery. The almost 3,000-foot (914m) peak is said to be the seat of the giant, Idris. Travellers are warned from camping in the area overnight, since anyone caught sleeping on Idris’ chair will be woken by either a poet, or a madman. The peak’s glacial lake, Llyn Mwyngil, is also said to be bottomless, but despite that it’s still a popular spot for wild swimming.
22. Mother Shipton’s Cave and Petrifying Well, North Yorkshire, UK@mothershiptonscave/Instagram src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gR9GRAfJbN4SotTLA1sIfw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/6d98c3326f497f7b9d9ccdbe7563b906>
@mothershiptonscave/Instagram
Fascinating and just a little bit freaky, Mother Shipton’s Cave and the aptly named Petrifying Well, can be found in the spa town of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. The site is said to be the birthplace of the prophetess, Mother Shipton, whose well could turn any object to stone. Considered to be England’s oldest visitor attraction, this unusual place may not be as mysterious as it seems. In fact, the water’s magical powers are actually the result of its high mineral content.
21. The Dark Hedges, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UKZebra-Studio/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/WdmYP10cZ0Iu82vsKfO5wA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/64b7cef19fe68b23ddbd61ccc6ab49a9>
Zebra-Studio/Shutterstock
Another place made famous by Game of Thrones, the beach known as Reynisfjara is one of Iceland’s most enchanting places. Located on the south coast, the black sand beach is home to basalt cliffs and towering sea stacks that protrude from the water. According to folklore, the rocky columns, known as Reynisdrangar were once trolls, who headed into the sea to lure ships to shore. Yet caught in the dawn sunlight, they were instantly turned to stone. If you want a scientific explanation though, the stacks were once part of the mainland and became detached due to erosion.
19. Kaali Meteorite Crater Field, Saaremaa, Estoniakrivinis/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XMtP4oTpqviM4s5zzlYi4Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/98f4c8e9148d95e701ff805475bdad08>
Around 7,500 years ago, giant meteorites soared down to Earth and landed in a field in Saaremaa, Estonia. The impact resulted in nine large holes now known as the Kaali Meteorite Crater Field. Yet the unique landscape of Kaali isn’t what makes this spot mysterious. Due to its cosmic origin, many believe the area to be sacred and a discovery of animal bones revealed the site had been used for sacrifices. Was this unique place home to an ancient cult, or is there another explanation we’re yet to discover?
18. Chanctonbury Ring, West Sussex, England, UKleoks/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kmpbXSOsA4tAFKk3W7w.Aw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/6cf018f061f4fefae3319fadc24f8b6f>
Spectacular? Yes. Spooky? Almost definitely. Nestled in the heart of the Loire Valley, Château de Brissac is thought to be the tallest castle in France. Dating back to the 15th century, it is also considered to be one of the most mysterious buildings in the world. According to legend, the Green Lady, or ‘La Dame Verte’, was murdered in the castle many centuries ago. Unable to let go, she still roams its grounds and towers. Many also claim to have heard her moans echoing through the castle in the early hours of the morning.
14. Devil’s Bridge, Kromlau Park, Germanyseawhisper/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/C9SLf458to_zOrAOgYXN0g–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/66f6fb9b5a97f868849c3c2f0e58aefe>
The aptly named Crooked Forest can be found just south of the Polish city of Szczecin, on the outskirts of Gryfino. Here, you’ll find over 400 pine trees that are unlike any you might find anywhere else on Earth. Every single tree boasts a sweeping bent trunk. Arboriculturists have debated the causes of this otherworldly landscape, but so far no one has been able to explain it. While some suggest the crooked trunks were caused by torrential snowstorms, others believe local lumberjacks created their own unique growing technique.
4. Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire, England, UKmareksaroch.cz/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TPwsqB1Syt_M7eZI8P9XUQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/c132d0d1d47adc345880fa2f0a737ad9>
mareksaroch.cz/Shutterstock
Could this seemingly ordinary, if not beautiful, castle actually be the gateway to hell? Yes, according to local legend. Houska Castle can be found in Blatce, Czechia, and dates back to the 13th century. Today it’s considered to be one of the most haunted places in the world. According to folklore, Houska Castle was constructed over a hole so deep that no one could see the bottom. At night, dark creatures crawl from the pit, dragging unfortunate travellers down to its depths…
2. Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England, UKjoaoccdj/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Wl2jbuchQl52314GBCSUmA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/b711c44da7489becaf8b79d7e6e50b41>
Stonehenge is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most mysterious places. The prehistoric monument can be found on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire and dates back to around 2500 BC. Yet how the site came to be has baffled historians, since the larger sarsen stones were sourced 20 miles (32km) away and weigh, on average, 25 tonnes apiece, and the smaller bluestones all came from the Preseli Hills in Wales. Many believe they were transported using the UK’s canal system. In 2019, university students discovered that humans may have used sledges lubricated with pig fat to hoist them into position.
1. Hoia-Baciu Forest, Transylvania, Romania
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Publish date : 2024-11-04 10:31:00
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