THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NITE

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Richie said:
Germany has hundreds of castles, some now in ruins, some still habitable with many stories of hauntings and paranormal activity over the centuries within the walls of four in particular.

Eltz Castle: Haunted by Countess Agnes, who died defending the castle, so naturally the most haunted room is the Countess Room. Step inside here and watch doors open and close, lights flicker on and off.

Reichenstein Castle: Claims of various figures in medieval clothing wandering the halls. Some hear laughter echoing through the stone corridors.

Wolfsegg Castle: Believed to be haunted by the ghost of a woman, the "White Lady" murdered by her husband in the 1400s.

Kransberg Castle: Reported visions of apparitions in the windows
and strange feelings by visitors..

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Eltz Castle.
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Castles look spooky anyway so to hear of strange goings on is no surprise. Wish something could be caught on camera though so we could actually see it.
Richie Richie
Zman Zman
Grier Grier
looker-on looker-on

Isn't it a shame that we aren't all in the same place, we could've got together and arranged a ghost tour. My cousin and his wife went on one in Scotland, they thoroughly enjoyed it.
 
Richie said:
As Thomas wont join us here, I am doing some delving into the supernatural in Germany.
German ghostlore is a rich tapestry woven from centuries of cultural beliefs, societal fears, and historical events. The fascination with the supernatural in Germany is not merely a reflection of individual fears but a collective narrative that helps to shape and define societal norms. Ghost stories serve as a mirror, revealing the values, anxieties, and moral lessons of the communities from which they originate.

The historical context of German ghost stories can be traced back to medieval times, where they often emerged from the struggles of everyday life. In the face of calamities such as wars, plagues, and famines, ghost stories became a means of explaining the unexplainable. They evolved as cautionary tales, moral lessons, or even as explanations for tragic events.

German ghostlore is populated by a variety of spirits and supernatural entities, each with their own characteristics and stories. Some of the most notable figures include: Poltergeist, Wiedganger, Heimliche. We have all heard of a Poltergeist, is German for 'noisy ghost', known for causing bot all an awful racket, but physical disturbances too.
Wiedganger: Literally meaning “one who returns,” these are the spirits of the dead,yearning to returbn to the living world, while a Heimlich is a friendly spirit that protect households and families, often thought to bring good luck. Pretty much the opposite of a Poltergeist.

German ghostlore varies significantly across different regions, with each boasting its own unique stories and legends, influenced by local culture, history, and geography.
In Bavaria, tales of the Schwarze Katze (Black Cat) believed to bring misfortune are common among locals, in the Harz Mountains, the local narrative among local hikers is of the Brocken spectre—a ghostly apparition seen on the Brocken mountain. The last is the legend prevalent in the Rhine Valley, that of the Lorelei, a siren who lured sailors to their doom.
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Thanks for your round-up of German mythology, Craig, which differs from individual ghost stories and strange encounters. While mythology is part of the cultural heritage and shared by the public, supernatural experiences belong to individuals and carry meaning for them only and perhaps for the tourism industry. I understand the focus of this thread is on the latter to which I can't make a contribution.
 
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