Lyla Lindsey
St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria, is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city. While there are no ghost stories surrounding the cathedral, some believe it was once haunted by the Devil himself. The lower levels of the church house a series of catacombs and deep crypts where bodies were discarded during the bubonic plague. A select few prisoners were tasked with cleaning and arranging the thousands of skeletal remains. Today, visitors can tour these lower levels, exposed to the skeletons and skulls within the catacombs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | St. Stephen's Cathedral |
| Location | Vienna, Austria |
| History | The cathedral was built in the 18th century. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Vienna. |
| Haunting | The cathedral has a series of catacombs underneath it where bodies were kept during the bubonic plague. Some believe it was once haunted by the Devil himself. |
| Other haunted places in Vienna | Blutgasse, Cemetery of the Nameless, Cachtice Castle, Hungarian House |
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What You'll Learn
St. Stephen's Cathedral's catacombs
St. Stephen's Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece and one of Vienna's most prominent landmarks, stands proudly in the heart of the city. But beneath its majestic spires and intricate architecture lies a darker, more mysterious side – the catacombs of St. Stephen's, a place shrouded in legend and tales of hauntings.
The catacombs extend below the cathedral, forming a labyrinthine network of tunnels and chambers. They serve as the final resting place for numerous individuals, including members of the Habsburg dynasty, prominent citizens of Vienna, and even unknown commoners. The bones of over 11,000 people are stacked neatly behind the barred windows that line the walls of the catacombs, creating an eerie spectacle.
One of the most famous tales associated with the catacombs is that of a mysterious woman in black. Visitors and staff members alike have reported sightings of a woman dressed in black, wandering through the tunnels. She is said to appear and disappear suddenly, leaving those who encounter her with a sense of unease and dread. Some believe that she is searching for something or someone, forever wandering the catacombs in restless torment.
Adding to the intrigue, the catacombs are also rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a young boy. The sound of a boy's voice has been heard, singing or humming softly in the dark passages. The origin of this ghostly presence remains a mystery, as no records exist of a boy being buried in the catacombs.
Due to the mysterious occurrences and reports of paranormal activity, the catacombs have become a popular attraction for those daring enough to explore them. Visitors can take guided tours, which not only provide insight into the history of the cathedral and the individuals interred there but also offer a spine-chilling experience as they walk through the dimly lit passages, surrounded by the remains of those long deceased.
St. Stephen's Catacombs, with their eerie atmosphere and haunting legends, provide a unique glimpse into the darker side of Vienna's history, serving as a reminder of the mysteries and stories that lie beneath the surface of this magnificent city.
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Blood Street
One of the spookiest places in Vienna, Blood Street has a sinister history dating back to the Middle Ages. The street was the site of numerous executions, and it is said that the Knights Templars were once located and slaughtered here, their blood flowing down the alley. Adding to its gruesome past, Blood Street was also a site where many who were executed for crimes in Vienna met their fate.
The street takes on a different character by night, with galleries and cafes closing, leaving only apartments and the occasional streetlight to illuminate the dark alleyways. During the day, Blood Street is fairly quaint and quiet, sporting galleries, apartments, and a street-side cafe. However, as night falls, the street's sinister past seems to come to life.
Adding to the intrigue, Blood Street is located near St. Stephen's Cathedral, which is known for its beautiful architecture and sacred status in the town center. However, what lies beneath the cathedral may shock you. The lower levels of the church house a series of catacombs, deep crypts where bodies were once discarded during the bubonic plague. The skeletons and skulls within the catacombs are a stark reminder of the city's dark past.
Vienna, Austria, is known for its picturesque beauty, lively culture, and fascinating history. However, Blood Street, or Blutgasse, serves as a reminder of the city's darker side, a place where blood was once shed and ghosts are said to roam.
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Cemetery of the Nameless
The Cemetery of the Nameless, or Friedhof der Namenlosen in German, is a small, remote cemetery located on the outskirts of Vienna, Austria. It is known as one of the most haunted places in Austria and is filled with unidentified people who washed ashore from the nearby Danube River. The cemetery was created in the 1800s as a solution to the many bodies that were accumulating along the riverbank due to drowning, suicide, or unknown causes. As many of the deceased were unidentified and unable to be interred at Vienna's Catholic cemeteries due to their manner of death, the locals established the Cemetery of the Nameless to properly honour and bury the dead.
The cemetery is surrounded by large industry and is rarely visited, adding to its secluded and eerie atmosphere. It is said that the souls of the nameless people buried there continue to roam the area, and some even claim that a former caretaker of the cemetery also remains as a ghost. The last nameless body was buried in 1940, and since then, all unknown dead have been buried in the Central Cemetery.
The older part of the cemetery, which was opened in 1840, has been abandoned and left to nature, overgrown with bushes and trees. In 1900, the cemetery was expanded, and a small, modernist graveyard chapel designed by architect Karl Franz Eder was built on a hill between the two parts. The new section is surrounded by a small wall and has been maintained by the family of Josef Fuchs since 1933.
The Cemetery of the Nameless is not easily accessible, requiring a ride on the U3 metro line to one of the last stops, followed by a bus ride and a walk. Despite its remote location, it has been featured in films such as "Before Sunrise," and continues to draw those seeking a pilgrimage site or a glimpse of the haunted and mysterious. On All Saints' Day, local fishermen honour the unknown dead with a small ceremony, floating a raft on the Danube and inscribing commemorative messages in multiple languages.
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Hungarian House
The Hungarian House in Vienna, Austria, is believed to be haunted by tortured souls trapped within its walls. The house is associated with the infamous Elizabeth Bathory, a Hungarian countess and serial killer who tortured and murdered hundreds of young women. While most of her crimes took place at Cachtice Castle in Slovakia, it is rumoured that her murderous rampage began in Vienna.
Elizabeth Bathory, also known as the Blood Countess, had accomplices who lured young women from the nearby marketplace to the Hungarian House, where they were subjected to unspeakable horrors. It is said that the spirits of these victims still haunt the residence, unable to find peace. The house has a sinister reputation and is considered one of the spookiest and least-known places in Vienna.
Countess Bathory herself met a gruesome end. As the story goes, her corpse was not cremated but instead placed in a barrel and cast into the Danube River outside Vienna. It is believed that her restless spirit haunts the city, unable to move on from her dark past. The countess's winter residence in Vienna still stands, located at 12 Augustinerstraße, and is said to be a hotspot for paranormal activity.
In addition to the Hungarian House, several other locations in Vienna are known for their haunted reputations. One such place is Blutgasse, a narrow pedestrian street in the heart of the city. Translating to "Blood Street," it earned its name from the blood that once flowed freely through its cobblestone grooves. It was the site of the slaughter of the Knights Templar in 1312 and numerous executions throughout history.
Another haunted site in Vienna is the Cemetery of the Nameless, known locally as Friedhof der Namenlosen. This small, forgotten cemetery lies just outside the city and holds the remains of unidentified individuals who washed ashore the Danube River. Visitors claim to feel an eerie presence and see reflections in the gravestone plaques, suggesting that the nameless souls continue to roam the grounds.
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Cachtice Castle
The castle has been featured in several films and television shows, such as the 1981 Czechoslovakian comedy "The Mysterious Castle in the Carpathians" and the ABC Family show "The Scariest Places on Earth". It has also been used as a filming location for productions like "Dragonheart" and "Nosferatu".
Today, Cachtice Castle is a tourist attraction, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can hike to the castle from the nearby villages of Čachtice or Višňové, following marked trails. The castle is about a 20- to 45-minute walk from these villages, depending on the route taken. There is also a car park available for a small fee, followed by a 20-minute trek to the castle. Visitors can expect to find a small shop and refreshments near the castle gate.
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Frequently asked questions
St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria, is rumoured to be haunted by the Devil himself.
St. Stephen's Cathedral is said to be haunted because it contains a series of catacombs filled with bones that were once discarded during the bubonic plague.
During the bubonic plague, a large number of deaths caused bodies to be discarded in the catacombs. When the smell of rotting corpses began to waft into the church, prisoners were tasked with cleaning and arranging the skeletal remains.
Yes, there are several other haunted places in Vienna, including Blutgasse, a narrow pedestrian walkway in the heart of the city, and the Cemetery of the Nameless, a small forgotten cemetery filled with unidentified people who washed ashore the Danube River.
Yes, several buildings in Vienna are rumoured to be haunted, including the Hofburg, where a guard who was falsely accused of rape is said to be trying to prove his innocence, and the birthplace of composer Franz Schubert, where visitors have reported hearing weird knocking noises and feeling the composer's presence.
