The world is full of places that send a chill down your spine. From abandoned cemeteries to haunted islands, some locations have stories so eerie that they seem to belong in horror films.
Here’s a list of the top 10 scariest places on Earth.
1. Hill of Crosses, Lithuania
The Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania is an unnerving sight. People have been placing crosses here since the 14th century, starting as symbols of resistance for Lithuanian independence. After the 1831 peasant uprising, the hill became a memorial for fallen rebels.
During the Soviet occupation (1944-1991), the Soviets bulldozed the hill three times, but the locals rebuilt it each time. Today, more than 100,000 crosses fill the hill, creating an eerie scene. The wind blowing through them gives a haunting sound, like a set of wind chimes made of bones.
2. Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic
The Sedlec Ossuary, also known as the Bone Church, is a chapel filled with the remains of over 40,000 people. Located beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints, the bones were artistically arranged by woodcarver František Rint in the 18th century.
Visitors can find four candelabras made entirely of bones, a family crest, and an astonishing chandelier featuring nearly every bone in the human body. It’s a macabre sight that leaves visitors in awe and horror.
3. Island of the Dolls, Mexico
The Island of the Dolls (Isla de las Munecas) is a horrifying place located in the Xochimilco district near Mexico City. The island is famous for hundreds of dolls and doll parts hanging from trees, scattered throughout the island. It was once the home of Julian Santa Barrera, who started collecting and hanging dolls after finding the body of a young girl in a nearby canal.
He believed the dolls would ward off evil spirits. Today, the dolls, often decayed and broken, give off a creepy, unsettling vibe, making it a chilling spot for brave visitors.
4. Gomantong Caves, Malaysia
The Gomantong Caves in Malaysia are both a natural wonder and a nightmare for many visitors. These limestone caves house over two million bats, and the thick layers of bat guano (bat droppings) cover the ground. Visitors have to navigate through the mess of bat droppings and encounter millions of cockroaches.
The caves are also home to scorpions, snakes, and other creepy creatures like the giant scutigera centipedes. The overwhelming smells and the presence of dangerous creatures make this one of the most revolting places on Earth.
5. Aokigahara Forest, Japan
Known as the “Suicide Forest,” Aokigahara at the base of Mount Fuji has a tragic history. It is the second-most common place for suicides in the world. Dense trees block sound, and visitors can easily get lost in its labyrinthine paths.
Personal belongings, letters, and even bodies have been found, adding to the eerie feeling of the place. Local legends suggest the forest is haunted by demons, making it a dark and mysterious place, often avoided by those seeking peace.
6. Christ of the Abyss, Italy
The Christ of the Abyss statue, located in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of San Fruttuoso, Italy, is a haunting underwater monument. The statue, which is over 8 feet tall, depicts Christ with outstretched arms, facing upward.
The statue is encrusted with algae and corrosion, which gives it an eerie, otherworldly appearance. The monument was placed to memorialise Dario Gonzatti, a diver who died in 1954, and it remains submerged, making it a chilling and unique destination for divers.
7. Hanging Coffins, Philippines
In Sagada, a region in the Philippines, the tradition of hanging coffins on cliffs has been practiced for thousands of years. Instead of burying their dead underground, the people of Sagada place coffins on steep cliffs, allowing the bodies to rest above ground.
Each coffin is unique, crafted by the deceased during their lifetime. Some of these coffins are hundreds of years old. Seeing the coffins hanging precariously on the cliffs is an eerie reminder of an ancient tradition.
8. The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan
In the Karakum Desert of Turkmenistan lies a terrifying natural phenomenon known as the “Door to Hell.” This 230-foot-wide crater has been burning continuously since 1971.
It all started when Soviet scientists accidentally ignited a methane reserve while drilling for oil, and they decided to set the fire to burn off the gas. The flames have been raging ever since, creating an infernal sight in the desert that is as fascinating as it is terrifying.
9. Capuchin Catacombs, Italy
The Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo, Sicily, are some of the most unnerving catacombs in the world. These catacombs are home to over 8,000 mummified bodies, many of which are displayed in lifelike poses.
The bodies are dressed in the clothes they wore in life, and some of the mummies date back to the 16th century. The macabre display, with its haunting figures dressed in fine clothes, creates a chilling atmosphere that unnerves visitors.
10. St. George’s Church, Czech Republic
St. George’s Church, in the Czech village of Lukova, is known for its ghostly appearance. After the church was damaged by a fire in the 1960s, the congregation abandoned it. In 2012, an artist named Jakub Hadrava placed plaster figures of people dressed in sheets inside the church, giving it the appearance of a ghostly congregation.
These eerie figures, sitting in the pews as though attending a midnight mass, add to the church’s haunted and unsettling atmosphere.
These destinations around the world offer a glimpse into the eerie and macabre, attracting brave visitors seeking a thrill and a touch of the supernatural. If you ever find yourself near one of these places, approach with caution and prepare to be spooked.
