On the eve of the last day of October, almost half of the world jumps into a carefully prepared scary costume. Halloween was born in Ireland and became popular in the United States. However, the celebration does not seem to have taken root in us. Nevertheless, we have enough of our own scary stories and terrifying places.
Abandoned mansions, and landlords returning in the form of ghosts. Strange castles that are reminiscent of history and dungeons that guard the secrets of cities. Today, as we approach Halloween, we invite you to the most realistic ghost hunt. In front of you are real historical facts and stories.
1. Ghosts of Radviloniai manor, Radviliskis d.
Let’s start the story from the fact that the old Radviloniai manor was named in honour of the nobleman Radvila. It is said that he was the first to enter the at the time nameless village while hunting in the forests of that area. In the 19th-century the manor had become the residence of an offspring from the famous Ropa family. Huge celebrations took place here, ladies in hats walked along the park paths, and the inhabitants of the manor sat at the magnificent fireplaces. However, after a long period of prosperity, the manor lost inhabitants, and later its’ charm began to decline. Fortunately, the meticulous hostess who acquired the house in 2006 has restored its’ spirit and claims to be often receiving curious visitors. At night, the ghosts of the owners that lived in the manor still wander in once in a while. But according to the hostess, both she and the ghosts agree well. Is that true or a myth? The current owner of the manor invites you to see it for yourself.
2. Beržėnai manor, where spirits whisper, Beržėnai, Kelmė district.
The thriving romantic neo-Gothic palace stands in the Samogitian region. It has a magnificent interior, a library, a conservatory, Gothic cabinets with a fireplace, artworks by Western European artists and even 19th-century porcelain and earthenware from China that once belonged to Counts Čapskis. People assert that the life of Beržėnai manor was interrupted by an unreasonable reconstruction, which dragged the building into bankruptcy. Fortunately, some of the valuables found in the interior of the manor house have been preserved, and now quietly rest in the country’s museums. But the magnificent palace continues to decay sadly hidden in the dense autumn leaves. The manor has become a ghost house, and the courageous visitors say that they hear whispers of ghosts inside the mansion every time.
3. Romantic Ghosts in Siesikai Castle, Ukmergė district
Those looking for a romantic adventure filled with adrenaline will like Siesikai Castle. According to the story, many years ago, the young wife of one of the Dukes of Daumantas fell in love with a knight from a foreign country. There is a belief that at night she would escape from the castle and rush to secret dates on the shores of Lake Siesikai. After learning about the betrayal, the duke became so angry that he sentenced his wife to a ruthless verdict — to immure her in the castle tower. Locals say that on nights you can see the princess walking by the lake, where she is waiting for her beloved.
4. Šūkliai manor — a ghost and the secret symbol of Lithuanianness, Vilkaviškis d.
Peaceful, quiet and surrounded by trees, today, Šūkliai manor with boarded-up windows welcomes only one visitor — the wind that breaks in through the open gaps. It is said that the more observant visitors outside the mansion can see shimmering shadows and hear strange sounds reminiscent of knocking on the door or the voices of children. Historical sources state that permission was once obtained to establish children’s shelter-kindergarten in this building. Also, a secretive Lithuanian school operated here.
5. Spirits of Kaunas dungeons, Kaunas
According to the old legends, under the pavement of Kaunas city lies a well-developed underground labyrinth, connecting many buildings of the Old Town. People say that the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas escaped from the Crusaders in one of the dungeons. Ghosts and the ringing of chains can still be experienced in Kaunas, during a tour. And while locals say the experience is not too frightening, it must be acknowledged that facing the spirits of the dungeons and the unusual atmosphere still requires courage.
6. Mysterious tunnels of old Kėdainiai
If the encounter with ghosts seems a little too scary for you, but curiosity does not leave you alone, take a look at the mysterious dungeons of Kėdainiai, which hide many legends. People assert that there are many tunnels under old Kėdainiai, which can be used not only for walking, but also to move from one side of Nevėžis river to the other side, or to reach a park. Rumour has it that the vaulted tunnel from the Evangelical Reformed Church leads to the basements of St. George’s Church, where the remains of the Crusaders who defended themselves against Lithuanian attacks, are buried. Their weapons and armour are hidden. Historian Vaidas Banys leads the excursions in the tunnels.
7. Belvedere manor, Jurbarkas district
Driving on the road Jurbarkas — Kaunas, on the high bank of Nemunas river, you can see the magnificent Belvedere manor house. This palace was built in the 19th-century according to an Italian villa design by an architect Pierre de Rosio. During the interwar and Soviet years, various educational institutions operated here: agricultural, dairy farming and beekeeping technical schools. By the way, the Belvedere manor is now open to the general public, although it radiates an aura of former majesty and luxury, the house retains a mystical atmosphere. People say that when walking in it, shivers in fear are often dancing on the body.
8. The naughty little count’s ghost in Rokiškis manor
This manor has been decorating Rokiškis city for many years. The grand house fascinates visitors by its’ exterior and interior all year round. However, museum staff say they suspect that in the manor lives the naughty ghost of little Count Jasius Pšešdzieckis. After a night or a day off, the paintings neatly displayed in the museum are distorted in all directions, and the exhibits are mystically found in different places.
9. The Nostalgic Bishop, Kretinga
Locals say that Bishop Ignotas Masalskis haunts the Kretinga manor. There is a belief that in the 18th-century he was the owner of the mansion, and renovated it. He ordered the construction of brick houses in the city, planted an orchard in the manor, and decorated the road from the house to the church with linden trees. People assert that the bishop brought some exotic plants to Kretinga, which decorated manor’s winter garden. According to the locals, Masalskis liked it here so much that he still wanders quietly in the corridors of the manor.
10. Forgotten and retreating into nature: Rokiškėliai manor ruins, Rokiškis d.
The manor is surrounded by colourful leaves in autumn, snowdrifts in winter, and during spring and summer by beautiful tall green trees. The formerly prominent manor house with its’ ornate columns and balconies is now abandoned, almost destroyed. The descendants of the former owners who regained the manor after the Soviet era did not care about the revival, so every year the building is falling apart, retreating into nature. Although no one has yet heard the talk of the wandering ghosts here, it is said that the trees surrounding the manor by branches soothe it each time they rustle.
11. Čičinskas hill, Panevėžys district
In Upytės hill, commonly known as Čičinskas Hill, stood a castle and Lake Vešeta, famous for stories about the wicked Mr Čičinskas. The man lived here and was cruel and angry and abused his subordinates. Many legends were born because of the hollow space and swamps in the castles’ site. According to one of them, once on Christmas Eve, Čičinskas set fire at the nearby village with his evil friends. But on Christmas Day, a thunderstorm struck the clear sky and killed the cruel man.
People say that after the manor began to sink in the open swamp, it disappeared in seven years. As locals say, people still hear bulls, singing roosters and other horrible sounds from the sunken manor at night.
12. Steps of the cruel Baron, Pakruojis d.
The Pakruojis manor, once ruled by Baron von der Ropo, could also be included in the category of ghost mansions. The rich man, famous for his wealth and cruel deeds, was nicknamed Herman the Cruel, as he tortured the serfs. The belief is that since then, strange footsteps are often heard in the palace, lamps go out on their own or light up, doors and windows open. The museum located in Pakruojis manor has a torture room inspired by the stories about the baron, who ruled the manor.
At present, a panopticon is also open in Pakruojis manor. There is a collection of strange objects and luxurious artefacts that tell the dark side of the life of the rich.
13. The Treasure of Horror Film Directors, Vilnius
There is a street in Vilnius named after the Tyzenhaus family, nobles of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. On the street stands the old St. Rokas hospital, which is more reminiscent of a palace: the three-storey Neo-Renaissance building attracts filmmakers. Here, some scenes from the horror film “Jack the Ripper” were filmed.
14. Mystical villa “Anapilis”, Palanga
The legend by Palanga residents tell about the somewhat unusual interest of Sofija Tiškevičienė, the owner of the mystical villa Anapilis. She communicated with ghosts. There is a belief that the Countess had set up a secret “mirror” room in the villa above the attic, where the summoned ghosts could no longer escape from it and return to their world. The locals also avoided the house due to the sounds of the wind organ emanating from the villa. Countess Sofija Tiškevičienė was in poor health, and only when she felt worse, she went to listen to the sounds emitted by this organ — they helped her to calm down.
15. Norviliškės castle, Salcininkai district.
There were rumours that in the 16th-century Norviliškės castle, those who stay are frightened by a little girl. According to the legend, the monk who once lived in this castle fell in love with the girl, but because of his vows, he could not let himself start a family life. To annul the vows, the monk had to go to the Vatican, so he did. While waiting for her beloved, the young woman gave birth to a girl and named her Emilia. However, when the monk returned home, he did not find his beloved or his girl in the castle. They died during the uprising. Visitors here testify that they feel and see the pranks of little Emilia, and the wooden horse, mysteriously moving in the 6th room.
What is truth, and what is only a myth, could probably be answered only by the bravest, determined to wander around manors, castles and endless dark dungeons on a scary night. But one thing is known: we have many horror stories that are enough not only for a Halloween night but for all the years to come.
The information is from the material of the national tourism agency “Keliauk Lietuvoje” and tourism information centres.
