Real ghost places in the Netherlands

The days get shorter, it rains and storms more often, and we light a candle more often. Something creaks on the stairs, a door slowly opens by itself and something taps against the window! It’s time to get spooky!

We at OpstapmetLisa do love an exciting story, especially if it is true. Because haunted houses really don’t only exist abroad.

Did you know that the Netherlands is full of real haunted places? In this blog we take you to real Dutch haunted houses, creepy places and museums. Some you can visit, others are unfortunately closed to the public. But the stories are no less exciting! Maybe there is an exciting place near you. Read and shiver with us!

The Hague: Ghost Town

The Hague has a long and rich horror history and is full of haunted places. The inhabitants were not averse to a little blood, and in the absence of television, public executions attracted many viewers. So too in downtown The Hague. For did you know that the Binnenhof used to be used as a place of execution? Just like the nearby “Groene Zoodje.” Nowadays that is “De Plaats,” the place with cozy terraces.

Do you ever come to ‘t Goude Hooft? Then stop and think while sitting on the terrace that there used to be cells under the inn that were used when De Gevangenpoort was too full. And did he have any idea that the working palace of our King Willem-Alexander is haunted by a seven-year-old prince? This would be the little son of King William III and his wife Queen Sophie.

The Hague Peace Palace also has a legend that has been making the rounds since it was built in 1913. For example, every day around midnight, a black shadow is said to be seen on the roof of the building, able to move at lightning speed.

Rotterdam: creepy cozy

Rotterdam is also quite haunted: they have their own ghost tour. But where are the haunted places? We investigated!

During this 1 hour walk you will get to know the dark side of Rotterdam. You start at the statue of Erasmus. Because there is something strange about it. According to legend, the most terrible things happen when Erasmus turns a page of this book. Now just hope that Erasmus continues to find the page he has been reading for centuries interesting enough…

The Koopgoot is bustling with activity during the day. This beloved semi-underground shopping center in the heart of Rotterdam is incredibly well known. But did you know that it can be quite spooky there? During World War II, Rotterdam was heavily bombed and there was heavy fighting between soldiers. So too on the spot where the Koopgoot is now. Some people claim to have seen uniformed soldiers. Not only at night, but also among shoppers!

And you wouldn’t think it, but it’s even haunted in the Cube Houses opposite the Market Hall!

Murphy, a poltergeist, even chased the residents of number 65 out of the house. The couple living there had been suffering from banging on the windows and walls for some time. Items also kept disappearing from the home. The residents called the spirit Murphy and were occasionally startled when Murphy was once again playing with the lights in the house. At one point, they were completely fed up and moved into another house. Whether the current residents are bothered by Murphy is unknown. Perhaps Murphy moved in with the earlier couple.

Haunted castles in the Netherlands

Dutch castles are also real haunted places. Castles were often used as prisons in the past. The tortured spirits of many still linger there. But there are also other ghosts that just linger.

The Doorwerth Castle in Gelderland was built around 1280 and almost went down in World War II after it was bombed. Fortunately, years later they decided to restore this beautiful castle, but that did not chase away the ancient ghost that haunts here. In fact, a ghost of a woman sentenced to death seems to haunt it. This woman probably starved to death after committing a crime. The ghost has even been sighted by a team from Britain’s Most Haunted!

In Limburg is Kasteel Schaloen, truly a beautiful castle that today serves as a hotel and cozy brasserie. But there is a spooky legend attached to this castle. A former resident named Maximilianus Hendricus Hoen de Cartils was plagued by an evil spirit named Ruprecht. Ruprecht wandered around the woods around Schaloen, scaring the hell out of the horses who dared not hunt as a result.

Walking past real haunted houses and dark places

Fond of city walks? Then a Horrorwalk from The Little Walk of Horrors is for you! With a Horrorwalk you will discover the dark history of the city of your choice. Totally offline and at your convenience. In a Horror Walk there are no horror effects, but beautiful, interesting and sometimes sinister stories about certain places and buildings of a city. And yes, there are real haunted houses among them! Curious? Here you can find more information about the different Horrorwalks.

More ghost places in the Netherlands

Haunted houses come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes you wouldn’t expect it to be haunted at all. In the e-book Griezelen op echte spookplaatsen in Nederland we have uncovered many more special haunted places in the Netherlands. So further want to spook, download the e-book here. Due to the success of the first part there is now a second part!

Credits photos: TheLittleWalkofHorrors.com