Houska Castle is a Gothic castle located in the Czech Republic, near the border with Germany. It was built in the 13th century, and its primary purpose remains a mystery as it lacks fortifications, water supply, and typical amenities of a residence. The most intriguing aspect of Houska Castle is its legend of being constructed over a portal to Hell.
According to local folklore, the castle was built to cover a large hole in the ground that was believed to be a gateway to the underworld. The hole was said to be so deep that no one could see its bottom. Legends tell of half-human, half-animal creatures emerging from the pit, causing havoc and terrorizing the nearby villages.
The local duke, determined to dispel any notions of hellish happenings, arranged for a young prisoner to be lowered into the hole. But the descent was long. Longer than anyone imagined. Then there was an agonised scream. When they pulled him up, the boy had aged dramatically and looked like an old man. So disturbed was he by what he had witnessed, that he was committed to an insane asylum but died 2 days later. The castle was allegedly constructed to contain these demonic entities.
Believing that their best defence against the dark unknown was the power of God, a chapel was constructed directly over the pit. In fact, it was dedicated to the Archangel Michael, believed to have raised God’s army against Lucifer’s fallen angels.
The chapel itself is unusual for its many references to Satan and paganism. Paranormal activity reported at Houska Castle includes sightings of shadowy figures, strange creatures, and inexplicable noises. Visitors have reported feeling an overwhelming sense of dread, and there are tales of ghostly encounters with spectral monks and knights. The chapel is a focal point for many of these supernatural occurrences.
