In general, Romania is one of very attractive destinations for tourists interested in mysterious places surrounded by legends and myths. However, not only Transylvania and Dracula are important milestones for “Ghostbusters” because every city has some special places that hide a disturbing history and that make you think that behind them, there is more than meets the eye.
Bucharest makes no exception, so if you’re interested in going on thrilling adventure in Romania’s capital city, here are some of the most well – known haunted places you should definitely visit.
Discover 8 haunted places in Bucharest
Chiajna Monastery
Chiajna monastery is a historical monument on the outskirts of Bucharest’s Giulesti neighborhood, near a garbage dump, subject of many legends and urban myths.
The construction of the Chiajna Monastery began during the reign of Alexandru Voda Ypsilanti and was completed during Nicolae Mavrocordat’s time, during the eighteenth century. It was built in neoclassical style, being very large for its time: 43 meters long and 17 tall, with thick walls.
It was supposed to be one of the most important Romanian churches of the time, but that didn’t happen. Legend has it that the church is cursed. Although it was built to serve as a place of worship, the monastery hasn’t come to be sanctified, that’s because, after being assaulted by the Turks, it became a refuge for plague sufferers.
Centuries ago, the bells were heard in Romanian monasteries on two occasions: during mass or when the Turks were visible on the horizon. Today, at the monastery ruins on the outskirts of Bucharest, one can still hear the bells ringing.
The building was derelict, but residents say that at the Chiajna monastery you can still hear the bells, especially in the days of the full moon, although its bell was destroyed long time ago.
Another interesting legend says that the ghost of a beautiful woman can be seen near the walls of the entrance. The woman is supposed to be Ancuta, the daughter of lady Chiajna (a very interesting historical figure on her own). Ancuta was killed at the orders of her mother because she ran away with hr lover.
Even if many things are considered to be legends, it’s a certain fact that several murders took place the monastery and rumor has it that police forensics said that the respective murders are part of the “Chiajna curse”.
Cismigiu Hotel
The Cismigiu hotel was built at the beginning of the twentieth century and it was formerly known as Palace Hotel. Due to its central location, the building was fully exploited without receiving the necessary improvements. Thus, the hotel closes in 1970. After the revolution in 1990, the hotel is given to the Theater and Film Academy, serving as a hostel for students.
Legend says that during a weekend, a young student was raped and thrown into the elevator shaft. She didn’t die immediately and she continued to scream for help for about three hours, but no one was there to help her. Therefore, it is said that the young woman’s ghost still haunts the hotel and you can hear her terrible screams coming from the elevator shaft.
Hospital of the Posts
One of the most grisly urban myths of Bucharest is connected to the Hospital of Posts, where it is said that the sick were not treated, but their organs were stolen. It is said that the hospital had private rooms where they would keep their patients and those who has the bad luck of being committed here, would have their organs removed and put into cold storage to be then taken away and sold.
Legend has it that the voices of patients who had their organ removed can still be heard on the old hospital hallways, especially in long winter nights. Their moans can be heard sometimes even on the streets surrounding the hospital.
“House of the Devil”
The house is located on the General Praporgescu Street. This house, fully covered in ivy should be under the influence of an evil spirit. During the interwar period, a man killed here two women and a third women committed suicide.
Also, some say that on nights with a full moon on one side of the house you can see the number 666, a symbol of the devil.
The Orphanage on the French Street
Urban legend says that on French Street, at the numbers 13 to 14, there was an orphanage many years ago led by Hagi-Stavrache Orman, a man who people said he was pure evil.
Here, approximately 203 street children have perished, because he loved to hear them crying and screaming of hunger and thirst. It is said that people can still hear after midnight sharp voices of little children shouting, “We want water! Water!”
Some people say that an orphanage functioned long time ago at that address, but there are no official records of it.
Vernescu House
The beautiful Vernescu house on Victory Avenue is supposed to “accommodate” a few ghosts. Three players who had lost their fortune at roulette and then committed suicide would still remain attracted to this place, which is still functions as a casino.
They move the furniture around or even appear in front of people. Equally strange is the smell of sulfur, which can be felt sometimes in the yard, which is the reason why local residents have called the building “Cellar of the Devil”. All these legends don’t seem to scare of current casino customers who still come here to try their luck.
Witches’ Pond
Near Bucharest, just 30 minutes away from Cernica forest, there is a cursed pond, recognized and feared by the locals including in the present. Tucked away in the Boldu-Creteasca woods, the pond is at first glance a common one, with a diameter of just five meters. Despite the usual appearance, it is said that forces from other worlds and a place of unexplained events surround the patch of water.
It is also said that the pond became known among witches, which gather around the pond during major holidays. It seems that any spell or curse cast on the banks of the ponds will surely come true.
Animals avoid the pond and don’t drink water from it. Some locals say that many strange natural phenomena occur here and that the pond has no bottom, which is why any object thrown into it, is lost forever.
Bellu Cemetery
There are over 300 funeral monuments in Bellu cemetery and almost all conceal a story. Bellu cemetery was formed following a decision of the local authorities made around 1820, which provided for the dead not to be buried next to the churches in the city, but at its edge to avoid epidemics of plague and cholera.
Many of the funeral stones have very interesting stories behind them. For example, at the beginning of the twentieth century, a young couple committed suicide after they found out that they were in fact stepbrothers. The Italian artist Raffaello Romanelli captured their tragic love story on a stone monument.
Another legend is tied to the monument of the “Lady with the umbrella”. She was a Belgian high society governess who took care of the children of a Romanian doctor and was in love with him. In 1906, the two went together to Herculane. There, the woman was ill with peritonitis. She was transported to the local hospital and it is said that a mistake made by a doctor led to her death on the operating table.
As you can see, if you take the time to find out more about the buildings and monuments scattered all around Bucharest, many interesting stories become known. You can find out more about all these places and visit them on our Bucharest haunted places tour.
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