TOP 10 scariest places in the world

Ljustres and paintings made of human bones, creepy haunted places, crypts that look like ordinary houses, a forest of suicides and abandoned places that make you shudder... Welcome to our selection of the top 10 scariest places in the world, each of which has its own an atmosphere that could easily serve as the backdrop for a really powerful horror movie.

1. Church in Sedlec in the city of Kutna Hora (Czech Republic)

Located in the cemetery church of All Saints of the Sedlec Monastery in the city of Kutna Hora, this church leaves a gloomy impression, to put it mildly.

Although for many of its visitors this is just an opportunity to see something unusual and at the same time beautiful in its bewitching mask of death. Of course, this place is far from being the only one of its kind, but undoubtedly has an individual history of appearance and development.

The history of the crypt in Sedlec near Kutná Hora formally begins in 1278, when the abbot of the monastery returned from a campaign in Jerusalem and brought with him a jug filled with "holy earth". He scattered the earth in the local cemetery and from this it acquired a certain divine halo.

Gradually, there were more and more burials, and the territory of the cemetery was limited. And then very old graves were opened, and the bones of the deceased were put in a specially designated room. Over time, they became more and more ...

And so, in 1870, a woodcarver, whose name was Frantisek Rint, was allowed to use the human remains in the form of bones from 40,000 tombs at his discretion to create an incredible set of "decorations" for the chapel.

To this day, you can see an amazing chandelier or candelabra made from all human bones, a carved bone coat of arms of the Schwarzenbergs - the owners of the Sedlec Abbey after its purchase, the monstrance at the altars and much more, interconnected by the material of manufacture - human bones.

2. Guanajuato Mummies Museum (Mexico)

The first mummies of Guanajuato appeared back in 1865. The cholera epidemic made the cemetery too cramped, and the place for the burial of the townspeople limited. Then the city authorities issued a decree on the mandatory exhumation of the dead for those families who could not afford to pay a tax for the maintenance of the burial of relatives in the city cemetery.

As a result, several hundred bodies of the deceased were exhumed. According to official data, the remains of more than 110 people exhumed before the end of the 60s of the 19th century have been preserved in the museum today.

Yes, now in our times, the result of all those distant actions is the existence of a mummy museum, in whose storerooms are stored more than a hundred mummified bodies of the dead, which were dug up from the cemetery in the period from 1865 to 1958.

The bodies of men, women, children, and even unborn babies, naturally mummified, both naked and clothed, are on display in the museum to give visitors goosebumps.

By the way, there is a theory that the cholera epidemic gave rise to general fear and chaos, which led to certain consequences. People were naturally terribly afraid of getting infected, and in order to avoid the spread of the disease, the dead were buried very quickly.

Such a desire for the speedy burial of the dead can be considered commendable, but it also led to the fact that some of the "dead" were buried alive. This explains the frozen expression of wild horror and fear on the faces of individual mummies.

3. Island of the Dolls (Mexico)

On one of the canal banks of Xochimilco, south of Mexico City, we can find perhaps one of the scariest tourist attractions not only in Mexico, but in all of South America, with the innocuous name Island of the Dolls or la Isla de las Muñecas.

It would seem, well, what could be terrible in dolls. At first glance, nothing special, if, for example, you do not remember Chucky doll from Child's Playthat Don Mancini brought to life. However, the state of these "cute dolls", the general atmosphere and the very history of their appearance change everything radically.

If horror movies like Child's Play with Chucky, Annabelle from The Conjuring followed by the popular Annabelle trilogy or Slappy from Scary Stories: Restless Halloween scare you, then this island is your worst nightmare!

Legend has it that a little girl drowned near the island in the canals of Xochimilco, south of Mexico City. In the 1950s, Don Julian Santana Barrera, a simple and lonely resident of this uninhabited island, decided to hang dolls in the trees and on the walls of his hut to calm the girl's spirit. Don Julian himself was found drowned in 2001 on his island at the age of 80…

As the locals now say, one day Julian Santana Barrera heard a cry for help from a drowning girl, but could not save her. To his surprise, the next morning, he found a doll that was floating in the place where the girl had drowned. Julian took the doll out of the water and fastened it to the tree. By this act, he, as it were, honored the memory of the little drowned woman.

The locals also say that the matter did not end there and new dolls appeared in the same place for several more days. History is silent about where the other numerous creepy dolls came from on the island, but now, more than 50 years after those events, there are many hundreds, if not thousands, of them on the island.

4. Sanatorium Belitz-Heilstetten (Germany)

Located south of Potsdam, in the middle of a dense pine forest, this huge hospital complex of sixty buildings was built at the end of the 19th century, mainly to deal with the consequences of the tuberculosis epidemic that was taking place in Germany at that time.

On the territory of more than 190 hectares there are more than 60 buildings, which in our time are decaying more and more. At the end of the second world complex of buildings began to be used as a military hospital of the USSR army, while not all of its buildings were involved.

Officially, access to the territory of the former hospital complex is not allowed. The authorities are quite reasonably afraid that there may be any accidents and other incidents related to the health and safety of citizens.

However, this prohibition and lack of control only spurred the desire of individuals to personally consider the "withering past." However, respectable tourists, who are prone to visiting atmospheric and a little scary places, are also not averse to tickling their nerves a little.

However, fans of classic horror really have something to see here: the departments and wards of surgery and psychiatry at one time helping the sick and wounded as a result of the “work” of time and vandals create a uniquely gloomy atmosphere.

Nowadays, the Beelitz Heilstätten complex southwest of Potsdam in Brandenburg is often used by various film crews, for example, it is in the frames of the movie "Valkyrie" starring Tom Cruise or in "The Pianist" by Polanski.

5. Hashima Island (Japan)

Post-apocalyptic lovers, this is the place for you. In this case, it is more than just an abandoned building or a ghost town, it is a whole island, which, due to a certain shape, is also called the “island-warship”.

Located 20 km southwest of Nagasaki, Hashima Island, also known as Gunkanjima, originated from the discovery of coal deposits there in 1887. Workers and their families settled here, making the island one of the most densely populated places on earth.

During its industrial heyday, this small piece of land was home to more than 5,000 people at all times, living in concrete blocks of flats packed tightly together. In total, 28 multi-storey buildings were built on Hasim, where employees of the Mitsubishi corporation lived, which bought this island.

It should be noted that the cramped living conditions of the workers were compensated by a decent salary, the availability of free housing equipped with the latest technology and minimal utility bills.

However, the decline in oil prices, the low profitability of coal mining on the island led to the suspension of production. Well, the complete closure of the mine in 1974 served as the final signal for the rapid and complete exodus of people from the island, which had lost its purpose. Since 2009, there are only small excursion groups on the island and no one else.

6. Dargavsky necropolis (Russia)

At first glance, this is a pretty, even cute village perched on a hill overlooking the green valley of the Fiagdon River. But don't be fooled - this is not a peaceful settlement or a tiny mountain town at all!

The lanes of this mini-town are absolutely quiet. Here you will not hear the conversation of two neighbors, the laughter or crying of children, there are no pets here, there is no one at all. Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the inhabitants of this village do not leave their homes.

And finally you will soon realize what it is City of dead. These 90-odd stone huts, typical of Nakh architecture, are crypts in which the inhabitants of the valley buried their dead along with clothing and personal belongings. Some crypts stretch up to four stories and many myths and legends surround this place, which is said to be haunted by spirits.

No one has yet reliably explained why the Ossetians buried their deceased relatives in stone crypts, while laying the bodies of the dead in some kind of wooden boats. There are no full-flowing rivers here. Impressive citizens need to keep in mind that the remains of the deceased are available for direct viewing, and if you intend to visit this strange place, then be prepared for a not entirely pleasant sight.

By the way, these crypts became the last refuge not only for those who were brought here to be buried. Some came to this strange place on their own, with the sole purpose of dying. These were people who fell ill with a fatal disease, whose death was already at the doorstep.

7. Forest Aokigahara (Japan)

When you hear that Aokigahara forest is also known by another name as "Suicide Forest", this will help you immediately understand that this is most likely not the right place for Sunday afternoon walks. However, how do you know if this is exactly what you need?

Aokigaharu "Plain of Blue Trees", also known as Jukai "Sea of Trees" is often thought of as a remote area, but in fact, this place is located about two hours from Tokyo. If you use public transportation and take the bus from Kawaguchiko Station, then go to Fugaku Wind Cave or Narusawa Ice Cave, that's all.

This mysterious forest boasts a deep history. Even in ancient Japanese mythology and poetry, Aokigahara is presented as a cursed place. For centuries dark forest near the famous Mount Fuji inspired fear and resentment.

However, it was only in the 20th century that Jukai became a "forest of suicides." According to various sources, since the middle of the last century, in less than 60 years, more than 600 bodies of voluntarily taking their own lives have been discovered in an area of 5 km by 6 km. In the early 2000s, more than a hundred bodies were discovered in just one year. And that's just the official statistics. Today, Aokigahara, despite the lack of new statistics, confidently enters the top three gloomy places chosen for parting with life.

You can go to this sinister and terrible place both as part of a group and alone. However, if you go in non-tourist attire, it's likely that special lookouts will stop you and check your intentions, so be careful and look out for signs that say "life is precious" or "think of your family."

8. Edinburgh Castle in Scotland (UK)

The place where the legendary Edinburgh Castle is located boasts an ancient history full of bloody events and inexplicable incidents. This mysterious fortress, located on top of the world's oldest volcano in the Edinburgh area, was founded in the 600s of our era and initially served as a reliable protection against external enemies for the Celts.

Later, the castle kept the jewels and relics of the Scottish kings. They were passed down during several dozen reigns of various royal persons, however, as a result of the First Scottish War of Independence, the castle was captured, and all the relics were taken to England.

It is known for certain that in 1342 a group of fighters for the independence of Scotland, led by Sir William Douglas she made her way into the castle and, having killed the guard at the gate, with the further support of her comrades, returned the castle to the control of the Scots. In the future, the castle survived many uprisings, attacks and battles, but from the end of the 16th century, it mainly began to serve as a prison.

Edinburgh Castle is surrounded by many legends. One of them is this legend. about the headless drummer boy. The ghost was first seen during the siege by the troops of Oliver Cromwell. This ghost always appears in a moment of danger for the defenders of the fortress.

There is also a legend about young piper, who went to explore the network of tunnels found under the castle. The daredevil walked through the tunnels and played the bagpipes, but suddenly his playing stopped, and the search for the brave man yielded nothing. After this incident, many visitors to the castle heard the bagpipe being played at the site of the piper's alleged disappearance.

The story of Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis, who was nicknamed "Grey Lady" really tragic. Her death, which became a "side effect" of the family hostility of high-born Scots, was arranged by order of King James V. Janet was burned on charges of witchcraft and attempted poisoning of a royal person, and her son was forced to watch his mother's execution. Since then, the restless spirit of the "Gray Lady" has been wandering around the castle, which only sobs softly.

9. Catacombs of the Capuchins of Palermo (Italy)

A little earlier, you learned about places where you can almost feel the breath of death - the ossuary in Sedlec Kunta Gora or the Guanajuato Mummies Museum in Mexico. But there are other similar and no less intriguing places on the planet. And if you're not afraid to go underground, then burial catacombs of Palermo in Sicily waiting for you with open arms.

The Capuchin catacombs are a place that arouses admiration for its eerie content. This is not just an underground labyrinth of corridors, where it is gloomy, dark and uncomfortable. This is the resting place of more than eight thousand dead. The deceased in the form of mummies, dressed from head to toe or half-dressed, in the remnants of robes decayed from time to time. These are Capuchin monks, doctors, lawyers, soldiers in full dress, aristocrats and ordinary citizens.

You go down the steps worn by thousands of feet and feel how the air is getting thicker and colder, and the sounds are getting quieter and more muffled. With every second, darkness envelops you more and more, your heart begins to beat faster and you realize that you are in a terrible place. There are no unpleasant, but implicitly expected smells at all, only a faint “aroma” of wet, constantly drying clothes overtakes you.

Finally, you are greeted by mummified bodies: men standing on stone ledges of small niches, or hanging on walls, women usually lying in deep niches, as if waiting for the last conversation in good company. Yes, the dungeon of the Capuchin monastery in Palermo's Piazza Capuchini is waiting for you: eight thousand bodies, each of which is a mystery and a story.

All those buried in the catacombs of Palermo are practically next to you. Sometimes you can reach out and reach them. But few people aspire to such a step. What you see is death: drooping jaws, bottomless eye sockets, decay and horror. It is impossible not to mention the mummy of Rosalia Lombardo, a girl who died in 1920 at the age of two, as she was the last of the Capuchins buried in the Catacombs in Palermo. True, her body is stored in a coffin under glass.

10 Nagoro Village (Japan)

Nagoro or Nagoru is an ordinary ordinary village in Japan. One of those that exist to this day in the Land of the Rising Sun in considerable numbers. But it still can amaze with one distinctive feature. No wonder this small town, located in the Iya Valley on the island of Shikoku in Japan, is recognized as an undoubted attraction for tourists.

Once the population of this mountain village was quite significant and amounted to more than three hundred souls. However, for a number of reasons, it constantly decreased until the number of its inhabitants exceeded thirty people, which could not but become a sad fact for those who considered this village a small Motherland.

More than twenty years ago, Tsukimi Ayano, who left the village at a young age, returned to her home to care for her elderly father. It was then that she created her first humanoid doll, something like a mannequin. Since then, she has made over 300 dolls. An interesting fact is that many of the dolls are "copied" from the real inhabitants of the village and even dressed in their clothes.

Tsukimi was not alone in her endeavors, and other people from Nagoro joined her "creativity". It was painful for them to see that their beloved native place was turning into a deserted desert, and they tried to change it as best they could. But the only thing they have achieved is the tourists who have become attracted to this place.

Creepy doubles of people who lived in Nagoro and died there can now be seen throughout the village: someone goes to school, someone is resting on benches, someone is talking peacefully at the store, someone is fishing.

Why creepy? In 2023, there are 25 permanent residents in the village, and the youngest of them is already over fifty. What kind of thoughts do you think a person has when he sees his long-dead neighbors or acquaintances or friends every day and knows that he, too, can eventually become one of the “fun exhibits”? But what cannot be taken away from Tsukimi Ayano is that she managed to create her own unique, bizarre and at the same time frightening world.