Spooky Architecture: 6 Buildings That'll Give You Goosebumps
It’s Friday, October 30 and there’s nothing more fitting than super creepy and spooky architecture to get your Halloween weekend started. Are these buildings haunted? Maybe, maybe not. Some are abandoned, some are occupied by the living and possibly the dead. From creepy exteriors to eerie ambiances, these buildings and homes will give you goosebumps. Go ahead. Enter, if you dare…
Beelitz-Heilstatten Sanatorium | Germany
This 60-building hospital was first used to rehabilitate tuberculosis patients in the late 19th century, then became a military hospital during World War I and housed patients including Adolf Hitler. Built in three phases from 1898 to 1930, the buildings were designed by Heino Schmeiden and Julius Boethke. Many visitors come to explore the haunted remains of its iconic bath house, gymnasium and surgical buildings. Image courtesy of Donna Tzanaeva
Michigan Central Station | Detroit, MI
Known as one of the tallest stations at one time, the Michigan Central Station was built in 1914 and remained in service until 1988. It now stands abandoned in hopes of being restored. Designed by the Warren & Wetmore and Reed and Stem firms, who also designed New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, the building represents Beaux-Arts Classical style of architecture. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Ennis House | Los Angeles, CA
The Ennis House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1923, is an example of textile block design and is constructed of interlocking precast concrete blocks. Inspired by ancient Mayan temples, it consists of two buildings—the main house, and a smaller chauffeur’s apartment/garage. Its spooky, fort-like interior made the perfect setting for films like House on Haunted Hill (1959) and Blade Runner (1982). Image courtesy of Leadingestates.com
Amityville Horror House | Amityville, NY
This Dutch Colonial Revival home in New York is recognizable by horror seekers everywhere.As the scene of a real-life murder, the Amityville house inspired The Amityville Horror book and movie thrillers. When the crescent or “eye” attic windows light up at night, we start running! Image courtesy of Paul Hawthorne, Getty Images
Winchester Mystery House | San Jose, CA
The Winchester Mystery House is a Victorian mansion once home to Sarah Winchester and was built in 1884. The home contains numerous oddities such as doors and stairs that go nowhere. These unique touches can be due to Mrs. Winchester’s beliefs that bad spirits were following her, as she hoped to trick them with her intricate home’s design. At one time the house was seven stories high with 160 rooms. Image courtesy of Winchester Mystery House
Charleville Castle | Tullamore, Ireland
Located on the haunted ground of Ireland’s druids, the Charleville Castle screams creepy. Built in 1798, the castle represents dark, gothic-revival type architecture. Hidden passages, high walls, and inescapable towers give us the willies. Image courtesy of r/UnattendedBagel on Reddit