Explore 6 Most Haunted Asylums and Hospitals In The World

Have you ever asked yourself what is behind the abandoned corridors and ruined chambers of haunted asylums and haunted hospitals? Let’s explore it in this blog.

Haunted asylums and haunted hospitals have fascinatingly attracted many people over the years. The places perceived to be shrouded in mystery and tragedy are rife with stories of ghosts.

But, what is it that actually makes these places so terrifying? Now let’s plunge ourselves into haunted histories and ghostly legends of some of the most notorious asylums and hospitals.

Related: Are You Scared Of Ghosts? What Is Phasmophobia And How To Conquer Your Ghostly Fears

The Emergence and Decline of Asylums

Most haunted Asylums were developed during the 19th century up to early 20th century for housing lunatics. These were normally isolated institutions that could support themselves, but more often than not turned into locations characterized by neglect or abuse.

Once advancements in treatment methods took place with mental health care systems moving towards community-based services, a great number of these institutions became empty shells leaving behind cultural heritage filled with pain.

The Dark Side Of  Haunted Hospitals

Hospitals also have their dark histories. Many people have died within the walls of these medical facilities including war victims, epidemic casualties among others. A few hospitals, especially those which served as temporary madhouses carry an extremely strange reputation because of this sad eventuality inside them.

This is what sets them at par with most haunted asylums in the world.

What Causes a Place to be Haunted?

1. Defining Paranormal Activities and Hauntings

People claim that hauntings result from the presence of spirits or lingering energies of persons who met with tragic ends. Ghost sightings, unexplained noises and strange phenomena are some examples of paranormal activities. These things characterize real life haunted asylums.

2. Characteristics Most Haunted Places or Most Haunted Hospitals Share

Usually, haunted locations have similar features; they include previous suffering, several lives lost and tales told for generations. These elements create the spooky atmosphere and idea that ghosts still exist.

Here are 6 most haunted asylums and haunted hospitals for you to explore:

1. Bethlem Royal Hospital (Bedlam)

Also known as Bedlam, Bethlem Royal Hospital has a long history of darkness which has resulted in its being haunted and paranormal.

First established in 1247 at London, it had been a mental health facility since the 14th century and this period saw many patients’ sufferings, neglects, as well as cruelty to the mentally ill. Eerie reputation of the hospital for its brutality and misery of its occupants also contributes to its haunting past.

During the time when it was at Moorfields (1676-1815), Bethlem was infamous for chaining up and locking away patients in squalid conditions. The stories of spirits that cannot find rest are fueled by these terrible treatments and deaths that occurred within her walls. Several visitors and employees have reported strange encounters over the years.

These include disembodied words, appearance of former patients’ ghosts as well as unaccountable noises heard along the corridors of old days. Other people have experienced abrupt temperature changes, an unwelcoming environment or even sensing unseen things making contact with them while in there.

These chilling ghost stories contribute to the macabre allure surrounding Bethlem Royal Hospital thereby attracting both curious individuals who want to know more about these haunting experiences and those brave ones who can explore them further on their own.

Although much has changed and today it sits like a shining beacon for mental health but its former life still whispers throughout its walls thus keeping alive legends about Bedlam, earning it a place in the list of most haunted hospitals.

2. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, in Weston, West Virginia is an infamous psychiatric hospital which has a historic background. The original name was Weston State Hospital and it was designed by an architect called Richard Andrews using the Kirkbride Plan, aimed at creating a therapeutic atmosphere for mental patients.

Building commenced in 1858 but its completion was delayed by the Civil War until 1881. It has a reputation as one of the most haunted asylums.

By the peak, two hundred and fifty people were meant to be accommodated in this asylum but come 1950s close to twenty four hundred individuals had been squeezed into its walls as a result of overcrowding. Unbearable circumstances emanating from this great congestion led to patients being denied proper care.

In terms of treatment methods it employed, the institution became notorious for use of obsolete or cruel mechanisms such as lobotomy, electric shock therapy among others. Shut down in 1994, it left behind a legacy of pain and hopelessness. Presently, Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum constitutes a point of interest historically spoken about and investigated paranormally.

A lot of people believe that it remains haunted by former patients’ spirits as well as those of staff members who worked there before.

Sightings relating to ghostly images as well as disembodied voices and unexplained sounds are common occurrences. Being awash with dark history and ghostly legends therefore makes it attract tourists conversant with so-called paranormal investigations.

In summary, the lunatic asylum serves as a silent witness to how mental health treatment has changed over time through intertwining human stories from its past.

3. Danvers State Hospital

Danvers State Hospital, located in Danvers, Massachusetts, was a psychiatric hospital with a horrifying past. The hospital was opened in 1878 and was originally named the State Lunatic Hospital at Danvers. It had been built according to Kirkbride Plan which was the model for mental asylums of the time.

During its existence, Danvers State Hospital accommodated thousands of patients majority of whom were severely mentally ill. Such conditions resulted in numerous reports about mistreatment, abuse and neglect due to overcrowding and understaffing.
Then years started passing by and rumors about paranormal activities took place.

Disturbing sounds sometimes accompanied by visions or even uncomfortable feeling within some parts of the hospital have been heard of by both personnel and patients who were treated here. Some said that tortured spirits of former inmates never left this place trapped by their own suffering since they were admitted to Danvers.

Finally closed in 1992 for good, it gained tragic renown as an institution full of despair. Urban explorers, ghost hunters and thrill-seekers converged on these deserted buildings because of the real life haunted asylum stories.

It is true that despite attempts made to retain some historical buildings; several portions of the structure were demolished around early 2000s in order to pave way for residential development.

Nonetheless, stories about hauntings at this facility still intrigue those with interests regarding intersections between mental health history and the supernatural hence ensuring that memories concerning Danvers survive.

4. Pennhurst State School and Hospital

Spring City in Pennsylvania is home to Pennhurst State School and Hospital which is one of the most haunted hospitals in the World. Pennhurst was founded in 1908 as the Eastern Pennsylvania State Institution for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic but it was aimed at offering care for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Over time, Pennhurst acquired a bleak image because of its overcrowded and understaffed conditions.

It has been reported that cases of negligence, abuse, and mistreatment affected patients there. For this reason, Pennhurst became an icon of failure in mental care systems with many patients living miserable lives. It wasn’t long before rumors about the existence of ghosts started to circulate around the school premises.

Workers and others visiting always claimed meeting weird things such as voices without bodies or sightings of strange apparitions or unusual sounds crossing the long vacant corridors.

Some people said they felt sudden chills or discomfort when they entered these sections. Finally in 1987, after years of court battles and public outrage over its sordid state, Pennhurst State School and Hospital was shut down.

Since then this empty structure has become a magnet, attracting urban explorers who were fascinated by stories of haunted houses on the former institution’s grounds.
Pennhurst today remains as a witness to decades of maltreatment that took place within its walls; its survivors are tormented forever more by memories from their past sufferings.

While there have been efforts to conserve some historic buildings in order to shed light on these injustices; interest continues for those interested in merging mental health history with paranormal activities regarding the haunting at Pennhurst.

Related: Are Ghosts Real? Here’s What Science Has To Say

5. Waverly Hills Sanitorium

Situated in Louisville, Kentucky, Waverly Hills Sanatorium is known for its chilling history and many reports of paranormal activities. It is known as one of the most haunted asylums in America.

It was originally constructed in 1910 as a tuberculosis hospital for treating patients with the deadly disease and soon became infamous for its high mortality rates and experimental treatments.

During operations, Waverly Hills had an intimidating Gothic architectural design as well as underground tunnel systems that facilitated transportation of goods and disposal of bodies quietly.

The harsh methods applied to patients included exposure to fresh air, heliotherapy or sunlight therapy, and even surgical operations such as rib removal to expand the lungs.
As the death toll increased within the walls of this sanatorium, stories about sufferings were also shared by those who survived it.

Many died from TB while others could not bear the extreme procedures or psychological impact that comes with being confined. Such issues are what makes it one of America’s most haunted places. Visitors and employees have reported numerous horrifying encounters with supernatural beings over time.

Among such occurrences at Waverly Hill is ghostly visitations, disembodied voices and unexplained footsteps. The most famous ghost resident is “Creeper,” a shadowy figure that crawls on walls and ceilings. Today, Waverly Hills Sanatorium serves as a popular tourist destination for people interested in paranormal phenomena across the world.

Guided tours lead visitors through halls where they can learn about haunted rooms and tunnels; hence keeping alive stories about this historic institution which will be remembered forever as ancient traditions remain unsolved like mysteries.

6. Letchworth Village

Letchworth Village is a place in New York, located in Rockland County that has a terrifying history attached to it by tragedy and neglect. It has rightly earned the title of one of the most haunted asylums in the World. Built in 1911 as a residential institution for the mentally and physically disabled, Letchworth was meant as a solution to help those who could not live on their own.

Unfortunately over time, Letchworth Village came to be associated with mistreatment of patients, overcrowding of its wards and disgusting living conditions.

Disturbing tales of abuse, neglect and unhealthy conditions became public knowledge creating a bleak image of life within the walls of this facility.

Patients had insufficient medical care, malnutrition and even suffered physical violence from staff members. Public outcry increased as news about abuses at Letchworth Village emerged leading to investigations and demands for change.

The following year saw the filing of a class action suit by residents against the facility which finally brought significant changes to policies and practices at the facility. Nevertheless, towards the end of 20th century, most buildings were abandoned only standing there decaying.

Over time there have been stories about paranormal activities among many people involving former workers as well as visitors who claim having seen ghosts or experienced unexplained things like sounds.

These deserted structures with their falling walls and empty hallways have become a hub for urban explorers and ghost hunters looking for answers about what happened there before.

Moreover, today Letchworth Village remains an eerie reminder of past failures. Despite some attempts being made to preserve some historical buildings or throw light on injustice done here, these are still fascinating stories told to those interested in history/psychiatry meeting ghost’s lore.

Related: 8 Terrifying Facts About Sleep Paralysis

So which haunted asylum or haunted hospital did you find most spooky? Let us know.

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