Poland is a place of many hauntings. Its castles are particularly prone to paranormal activity, given the often gruesome acts of the past and the dramatic gestures of their inhabitants. Many former royal residences are made spookier by the presence of “white ladies” who are often the ghosts of women murdered as a part of jealous acts.

As far as a ghost town in Poland, they call Kłomino the only ghost town in the country and it is recognised as such by the Polish government. It is located near Szczecinek in north-western Poland and was originally called Westfalenhof when it was a garrison town for the German Wehrmacht. It was renamed Gródek after World War II and became a base for the Red Army. The town was practically invisible to the West, appearing only on Russian military maps and was eventually abandoned after the fall of the Iron Curtain with the Red Army leaving for good in 1993.

A POW camp was opened at Kłomino in 1939 by the Germans and was used for both Polish soldiers and civilians and later, French soldiers following the invasion of France. The base was liberated by the Soviet Union in 1945 and the Red Army took permanent possession of it, keeping it as Soviet territory on Polish soil. The town became off limits to anyone but the Red Army. When they eventually pulled out in 1993, the Polish military stepped in and the government began the process of selling the entire village. No buyers were found and nobody seemed keen to settle in Kłomino. It has remained ALMOST abandoned ever since.

Unbelievably, the town is not completely empty! The current population is 5 and although there are no shops, buses or other services, none of those in residence are interested in leaving, happy to live in the former Soviet ghost town and away from the rest of the world.

How about spooky, hunted places in Poland?

Those who visit Kraków will hear the notes of a trumpet call from St. Mary’s Church—the tune ends abruptly in remembrance of the sentry who warned the city of attack but was shot in the throat while sounding the call to arms. The ghost of the tower trumpeter is only one who haunts Kraków.

Wawel Castle, one of Kraków’s top sites, is, unsurprisingly, one of the most-haunted areas of the city. Many stories about the dragon’s cave below the castle (where a sculpture of the original dragon now harmlessly resides) resurrect the frightening monster that terrorized damsels in times gone by. Thankfully, today’s visitors to Wawel don’t have to be worried about getting singed when they explore the castle grounds. The dragon, slain by a clever shoemaker, is remembered by his bones hanging near the entrance of the cathedral—a warning to other dragons who may consider taking up residence by the Vistula River.

As the burial site of Polish kings, Wawel Castle is inhabited by the ghost of rulers past. One legend says that they gather ever Christmas Eve, though they may make sounds or appear to people the rest of the year. King Sigismund’s court jester is also said to appear on the battlements of Wawel Castle to warn of danger.

Bobolice Castle has two well-known hauntings. The first is a lady in white, imprisoned by her uncle in the castle. The other is the ghost of a woman who was entangled in a difficult love triangle with twin brothers, one who was jealous of the other. One brother murdered the other and threw the woman into a cell that was later walled in.

Niedzica Castle also has a “white lady” ghost who protects a treasure creatively hidden on the castle grounds.Stories say she is the ghost of an Incan princess who was brought to Poland in the late 19th century. The Incan treasure that accompanied her was of great value, and rather than allow her to stand in his way, a treasure thief murdered the princess in his attempts to get at the gold.

Also, take a look at this creepy place:

Would you step inside this Polish chapel made out of skulls?

In every corner of Poland, and perhaps in every castle, it’s possible to encounter ghosts. Be sure to be on the lookout as you explore the grounds of medieval fortresses or climb its ancient towers.