Do you believe in ghosts? Don’t answer until you’ve visited Budapest. This ancient city has been a crossroads of European history for centuries, and in that time, it’s seen more than its fair share of war and conquest. The city has also been visited by some of history’s most notorious villains, including Vlad the Impaler. If Budapest isn’t haunted, maybe nowhere is.
But you don’t have to believe in ghosts to be interested in exploring the creepy side of Budapest. After all, blood-chilling stories are part of the rich history of the city, and embracing Budapest’s dark side is a great way to better appreciate the beauty and culture of this incredible town.
If you like your attractions a little on the macabre side, drop off your bags at a Budapest luggage storage and check out some of these fascinating Budapest locations. Whether you believe the city’s haunted or not, you’ll come away with a richer understanding of what makes Budapest so unique.
Buda Castle Labyrinth
The Buda Castle Labyrinth is a series of more than 200 caves located beneath the Buda Castle. The caves were used as storerooms and stables in the Middle Ages, but they’ve been abandoned for centuries. Today, they’re open to the public, and visitors can explore them on guided tours.
While the caves themselves are not particularly creepy, their history is. In 1686, during the Turkish occupation of Hungary, the caves were used as a prison. The conditions were so horrific that many prisoners died of disease or starvation. Legend has it that some of the prisoners’ ghosts still haunt the labyrinth today.
In case that wasn’t creepy enough, the prison once held Vlad the Impaler, the bloodthirsty Transylvanian prince who was supposedly the inspiration for Dracula.
If you’re looking for a truly spooky experience, visit the labyrinth at night. Tours are offered after dark, and you might just get a glimpse of one of the ghosts that are said to haunt the caves.
Terror House
Terror House, or the House of Terror, is a museum dedicated to the victims of Hungary’s Communist and Nazi regimes. Located in a building that was once used by the secret police, the museum chronicles the brutality of these regimes through exhibits of photographs, documents, and personal belongings.
The museum is not for the faint of heart. Some of the images on display are graphic and disturbing. But visitors say the experience is well worth it. The museum provides an important reminder of the atrocities that were committed in Hungary’s recent past.
The Danube Promenade
The Danube Promenade is one of Budapest’s most popular tourist attractions. Stretching for almost two miles along the river, the promenade offers stunning views of some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Parliament Building and Buda Castle.
But the promenade has a dark history as well. In 1944-45, during World War II, Hungary was occupied by Nazi Germany. The city’s Jewish population was forced to live in a ghetto near the promenade, and in January 1945, they were marched onto barges and deported to concentration camps. Many of the Jews who were deported perished in the Holocaust.
Today, a memorial stands on the promenade to honor the memory of those who lost their lives.
Istvantelek Train Yard
The Istvantelek Train Yard was once a busy hub for the Hungarian railways. But today, it’s an eerie ghost town. The train tracks and abandoned buildings are overgrown with weeds, and the only sound is the wind blowing through the metal skeletons of the trains.
Visitors say the yard has a creepy, post-apocalyptic feel. It’s easy to imagine that something terrible happened here and that the ghosts of the people who died still haunt the site.
Although it’s not officially open to the public, adventurous travelers can explore the train yard on their own. Just be careful not to wander too far off the beaten path-the area can be dangerous.
Golden Eagle Pharmacy Museum
The Golden Eagle Pharmacy Museum is located in a beautiful Art Nouveau building on Tarnok Street. The museum chronicles the history of pharmacy in Hungary, and it features a wide range of exhibits, from ancient medicinal herbs to modern-day medical equipment.
But the most interesting part of the museum is its collection of mummies. In the 19th century, it was common for pharmacies to display mummified corpses as a way to attract customers. The Golden Eagle Pharmacy had its own mummy, which was known as “The Hungarian Stranger.”
The mummy was so popular that when it was first put on display, people lined up around the block to see it. Today, the mummy may be gone, but the pharmacy still keeps a box of mummy powder made from the ground-up remains of the dead.
The Holy Right Hand of Hungary
The Holy Right Hand of Hungary is a relic that is kept in the Basilica of St. Stephen, one of Budapest’s most important churches. The hand is believed to be the right hand of Saint Stephen, the first king of Hungary.
But the hand doesn’t just belong to any old saint-it’s said to have magical powers. Legend has it that if you touch the hand and make a wish, your wish will come true.
Every year on Saint Stephen’s Day, thousands of people visit the basilica to touch the hand and make a wish. So if you’re in Budapest around that time, be sure to check it out. Just don’t be surprised if you see a long line.
Gellert Hill
This impressive rock rising above the Danube River is worth a visit for the view alone. But back in the Middle Ages, the rock was believed to be a meeting place of witches who conducted sinister ceremonies and made pacts with the devil on this hill. Maybe it’s true, and maybe it isn’t, but it remains an atmospheric place to visit to this day, and knowing the creepy story behind it only makes it more intriguing.
Conclusion
Budapest’s creepy side is part of what makes the city so magical. After all, any place that has experienced as much history as this one is bound to have more than a few scary stories.
Drop off your bags at a Budapest luggage storage, and you’ll be able to explore some of these darker attractions. If nothing else, you’ll get to see a side of the city many visitors never experience for themselves. And maybe you’re really lucky (or unlucky), you’ll have a supernatural encounter of your own.
