Top 10 Haunted Places on the Planet

With today's technology and a haunted history, paranormal activity seems to be at its peak. Are some of these souls just not ready to pass to the others side, or is there something holding them here? Each spot on the list has seen the face of death many times as the victims suffered in bizarre acts of cruelty. Listed below in alphabetical order are my picks for the top ten haunted places on Earth.

1. Auschwitz Concentration Camp: Poland

This "death camp" was in operation from 1940 -1945. It's been estimated between 2.1 to 2.5 million people lost their lives at the gas chamber on this spot. This estimate is "considered by historians to be strictly a minimum." Auschwitz was also used as a cremation site for the dead.

Once inside the gas chamber, Zyklon-13 gas was used to kill up to 4,420 people in 20 minutes. Nearly everyone who visits this site is overwhelmed by the sensations they receive from this area. Some have broken down and left the tour unable to finish.

The ever present cold spots are usually felt during the tours as well as certain ghosts who like to follow along. Recent photographs have revealed: spirit manifestations, misty apparitions, light abnormalities, and also orbs in the surrounding areas.

With all of the murder that went on in this horrible place it could quite possibly be the most haunted place on the planet. This was a camp designated for the extinction of the Jewish race, and several other races.

2. Catacombs of Paris, France

In an effort to make room for the growing population in Paris, engineers decided to relocate the remains of the dead. Millions of Parisian dead were "quietly disinterred" and deposited along the walls of the underground catacombs. Take a walk along these catacombs at night and see what kind of vibes you get.

An extensive amount of literature has been published about the catacombs and their original purpose. Over a million people are reported to tour these catacombs each year as they stare fixedly at the empty eye sockets of the skulls lined along these endless walls.

Many visitors on the tour have reported "ghostly inhabitants" which tag along some of the tours in the catacombs. Some of these tours have been canceled due to a "growing sense of unease." So, be careful is you visit this spot and take an unguided tour, some people have wandered off and never been seen again. Don't let these catacombs be your final resting spot.

3. Coliseum, Rome, Italy

This is a place where death was considered entertainment. Thousands of religious victims were persecuted as numerous methods of death entertained the curious spectators at the coliseum. But, below the coliseum floor in the inner working area, is where death waited as many animals and gladiators anticipated their fate. This is considered by many to be one of the hot spots of the coliseum.

Numerous guides, security guards, and citizens have also reported seeing Roman citizens sitting in the seats of the coliseum. Sounds of sword fighting and cheers have also been heard coming from the coliseum. Even the sight of a Roman soldier standing guard is sometimes referred to as a common occurrence. With so many lives sacrificed on this site, there's no doubt of unhappy spirits haunting this particular site.

4. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

In the three day Civil War battle in Gettysburg, an estimated 51,000 American lost their lives on this ominous spot. The mere mention of Gettysburg brings out hundreds of ghost stories of apparitions throughout the surrounding area.

This battle was not only fought on the battlefield, but in the town as well. Most of the bodies were left on the streets until burial could be provided. This only adds to the unhappy spirits that dominate this town.

Several bed and breakfast rooms are available along with a haunted history to go with a good night's sleep; if you can. Many buildings in town are also reported to be haunted as well as the Pennsylvania Hall at the campus.

This hall was used as a headquarters during the Civil War by the confederacy. Officers as well as General Lee used this "dorm" to observe the progress of the war. Numerous sightings of officers roaming the old dorm are very often reported.

Farms and many houses in the area all report paranormal activity. Gettysburg has been a hot spot for paranormal activities since the Civil War ended. Seems like the main occupants of this town are of the ghostly nature.

5. New Orleans, Louisiana

This city is reported by many to be the most haunted place in the world. With over two hundred years of history with Voodoo legends and curses, the French Quarter in New Orleans ranked number one of haunted places in a recent poll.

The Provincial hotel which was a temporary Civil War infirmary performed hundreds of surgical practices (amputation) which was thought to prevent gang green at the time. Ghosts who look to be doctors are sometimes seen performing these amputations on their patients. Sheets in the hotel have also been reported to be soaked in blood by unhappy guests.

Numerous murders along with the pirate lore have added its own mystic to the area. Several mansions in the area also provide haunted tours as well as the widely renowned haunted mausoleums at the above ground graveyards. These old graveyards have been referred to as the "cities of the dead."

6. Queen Mary

With its resting place in Long Beach California, the Queen Mary is possibly the most haunted ship in history. This colossal ship is bigger, faster, and even more powerful than the infamous Titanic. At 1,000 feet long, the Queen Mary began her life in 1930 when the first keel plate was laid.

Hosting numerous dignitaries, and carrying more than 80,000 troops during WWII, this ship played a significant part in the war effort. But, there's also a different side of this ship. Several sources report that there are over 150 "known" spirits that haunt this ship. In the last 60 years this ship has been the sight of "at least 49 reported deaths."

Below the water level is where most of the ghostly activity takes place. The engine room is reported as the "hotbed of paranormal activity." When the Queen Mary was used in the movie the Poseidon Adventure, the room's door No# 13 crushed "at least" two men to death. One of the young men crushed to death has been reported seen walking the length of the alley before he disappears near door 13.

Other hot spots on the ship are the first and second class swimming pools. Although closed for three decades women have been seen using the pools in 30's style clothing. Sounds of splashing water and wet footprints have also been reported going from the pool to the dressing room area. Numerous staterooms, and also the children's playroom have also reported high pitched squeals, and numerous aromas from smells long since past.

7. Tower of London

For over 900 years the Tower of London has developed a very mysterious reputation. This tower is the home of: beheading, torture, and hangings. The tower was also a prison to some of the Nobles in history.

The "bloody tower" was the scene of the infamous murders of two princes: Edward V (12) and Richard Duke of York (10) in 1483. According to sources, guards in the 15th century passing the tower spotted two small figures "gliding down the stairs." They stood silently, and then faded into the stones of the tower.

These figures again were spotted in 1674 and identified as the "two young princes." Workmen at the tower complex discovered a chest which is believed to contain the skeletons of the young princes. A royal burial and ceremony was provided for the two young men.

Queen Ann is reported to appear near the Queen's House, as well as her headless body walking around the corridor of the tower. The Queen of England who was the second wife of Henry VIII was beheaded in 1536. Others were also very unwilling to die and fought for their life.

Such is the case with the Countess of Salisbury who was executed in 1541 for treason again by King Henry VIII. The 68 year old countess refused to submit to the beheading block and was "hewn down" as the executioner chased after her and hacked at her with the ax. Most of the ghostly figures spotted at the tower have been those who have met their death on this historic spot.

8. Transylvania: Land of Dracula

In the heart of the Carpathian Mountains lies a land of history, death, and numerous hauntings. A foreboding presence is felt as the inhospitable roads wind their way through the Transylvanian Alps. This is an area so remote that no major highways were built until 1974.

It's in this desolate land that a legend was born. None other than Vlad III: the impaler. Countless victims were tortured and impaled as he watched them slowly die. It's in with this land that the legend of Dracula was born, and his infamous haunted castle resides.

Tales of werewolves, vampires, and ghost's abound in this old country of Transylvania. If haunted is what you want, then be sure to visit the castle of Dracula which was a temporary residence of Prince Vlad Tepes III.

An average of 450,000 visitors frequent the castle each year. If you really like the castle save your money because it's up for sale. In 2007 the castle was put up for sale at $78 million, but some have forecasted that it could possibly be sold for around $135 million.

9. Underground Vaults in Edinburgh, Scotland

Below the busy streets of Edinburgh Scotland lies a deep dark and almost forgotten place: the underground vaults of the dead. Overcrowding in the 18th century forced development to be built underground. Merchants such as craftsmen, and storage of wine and cheese were guarded by underground caretakers.

Some families did live in these arch vaulted rooms, but without sunlight the conditions were barely inhabitable. Soon the existences of these vaults were deemed inhabitable and erased from public record.

Then 200 years later they were discovered, and excavations began to shed new light on these forgotten chambers. Numerous tourists' sightings have suggested extremely high paranormal activities. Investigations on these vaults have revealed orbs and numerous sightings of ghost activities. These vaults are also mentioned in the Guinness Books of Records, and are reported as the most haunted place in Britain.

10. Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville, Kentucky

The Waverly Hills Sanatorium first opened its doors on July 26th, 1910 as a tuberculosis hospital. Tuberculosis being a very serious disease, its patients was kept isolated from the rest of the community. You can check out Waverly at: www.therealwaverlyhills.com to get additional information on this haunted sight.

Thousands of people died at Waverly before the drug streptomycin was invented. It has been estimated that up to 64,000 people died on this spot. In 1961 the tuberculosis hospital was closed, and opened a year later as Brookhaven mental institution. In 1982 the building was shut down permanently by the state due to patient abuse.

Since 1982 the building has been vacant other than its paranormal residents. Numerous sightings on the third and fifth floors are where "most" of the paranormal activity takes place. Room 502 is a favorite spot in the hospital.

In 1928 the head nurse hung herself from the light fixture in this room. Another nurse who worked in room 502 also jumped off of the balcony of the roof in 1932; no one knows why.

The body chute or the "death tunnel" is another favorite spot in the old hospital. This 500 foot tunnel is where the dead bodies of the tuberculosis patients where transported to awaiting hearses. I personally have been inside this hospital, and have also felt something brush past me in the darkness of the death tunnel. While living 3 miles from this spot the closest I'll ever see Waverly again is from the windshield of my car as its roof peaks out from the trees high on top of a hill in Kentucky.

Sources of information:

www.hauntedamericatours.com/paranormal.about.com/
www.hauntedworldtours.com
www.prairieghost.com/gettysburgghost.htm
www.therealwaverlyhills.com