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Spectral sightings and screams: The most haunted universities around the world
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07 Oct 2024
Disclaimer: The following article is based on rumours and testimonies found online.
If you think the ghosts haunting the halls of these universities as whimsical spectres, similar to those of Hogwarts, think again.
The reality is far darker and more spine-chilling.
These haunted universities are filled with restless spirits that can send shivers down your spine and raise the hair on the back of your neck.
Are ghosts real?
“We have to leave the realm of the hard sciences and enter the muddy waters of theory, speculation, and (oftentimes) faith,” writes one Quora commenter. “At this point, there’s no definitive way to scientifically prove ghosts are real, just as there’s no way to prove God, angels, Satan, and demons are real. But just because something cannot be scientifically verified doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”
In Chinese culture, ghosts are understood through the lens of ancestral respect, rituals, and the duality of good and evil. Chinese folklore recognises a distinction between good spirits, who protect and guide the living, and bad ones, who can cause harm. Rituals are performed to ward off these harmful spirits.
In contrast, discussions about ghosts in Western culture often revolve around folklore, literature, and a blend of scepticism and fascination.
Tales like the Salem Witch Trials and the works of Edgar Allan Poe significantly shape perceptions of ghosts. Some view them as the spirits of the deceased with unfinished business, while others dismiss them as mere folklore or superstition.
Moreover, ghosts are celebrated in various Western contexts, particularly during Halloween, where they are often depicted in a more playful or light-hearted manner.
Films and literature, such as “Ghostbusters” and “Casper the Friendly Ghost”, frequently portray ghosts in comedic settings rather than exploring deep spiritual themes.
If you want to use science as a way to prove ghosts are real, well, you can’t; there’s also no scientific evidence to prove that ghosts are real.
When it comes to catching ghosts, ghost fanatics or “ghostbusters”, often use electronic devices, including EMF meters, digital thermometers, static digital video cameras, night vision cameras and goggles, and digital audio recorders.
But the results often leave many sceptical.
A school’s hallway in the bright, morning or afternoon light isn’t as scary as it is when it’s pitch black outside. Source: AFP
Why older buildings are the target of paranormal activity
While Western horror films can be comedic and light-hearted, they are frequently set in old and eerie locations to evoke a sense of fear and unease.
Factors such as historical events, architectural features, cultural beliefs, and local legends contribute to the haunted reputation of older structures — after all, the older a building is, the more likely it is to have witnessed significant historical events, such as those from World War II, adding to its haunted feel.
Interestingly, some of the most haunted stories in universities arise from dormitories, particularly those that have been newly renovated, suggesting that the ghosts of the past may linger even in modern settings.
If you’re interested in studying in a haunted environment, here’s a list of the most haunted universities that are not only known for their spooky legends but also for their outstanding academic programmes.
12 haunted universities around the world you should know about
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1. St. Louis University
“The Exorcist,” the iconic horror novel and film, was inspired by an incident that occurred here in 1949.
A boy, known under the pseudonym “Roland Doe,” allegedly became possessed by a demon. After experiencing disturbing supernatural events and violent behaviour, his family sought help from the Catholic Church.
Doe’s exorcism initially took part on the fourth floor of DuBourg Hall at St. Louis University but when things became too intense, he had to be moved to a hospital out of the university. The room where the exorcism took place is now sealed.
2. Gettysburg College
In 2004, a Gettysburg College graduate commented, “You know how everyone here has their own ghost story, like during everyone’s time that they are here, as in students or teachers, they have some kind of experience with a ghost or weird occurrence like that.”
While Gettysburg College is known for its strong academics, it holds a reputation for being one of the most haunted campuses in the US. The college was used as a war hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg as part of the American Civil War. The stories say that ghosts still roam the halls of Penn Hall and Stevens Hall, including the tragic “blue boy,” an orphan who froze to death.
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3. Nagasaki University
Established in 1949, Japan’s Nagasaki University has seen its fair share of horrifying world events. However, its medical school, founded before the university in 1857, was part of a pivotal change in history making it one of the most haunted universities in the world.
In August 1945, the World War II atomic bomb was dropped and the medical school was in the vicinity of the explosion, killing 979 students and teachers. This has led to several students claiming to have experienced hair-raising paranormal experiences on the campus, including the haunting smell of burning flesh and the echo of horrific screams that can be heard throughout the area.
4. Ateneo de Manila University
Founded in 1859 in the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University was turned into a World War II military camp and war hospital — with a cemetery under it.
Tales of the supernatural feature the ghost of a woman who was hanged while in a praying position, as well as sightings of dwarves, mythical creatures, spirits of tragic lovers who committed suicide, and apparitions of Japanese soldiers.
Despite the presence of thousands of living college students on campus, restless spirits are said to continue haunting places like Cervini Dormitory, Gonzaga Hall, and Bellarmine Hall.
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5. Heidelberg University
Known as Germany’s oldest university with over 637 years of history, students and faculty alike claim that the paranormal activities are a result of the horrors of Adolf Hitler’s regime.
It’s rumoured that women were subjected to forced sterilizations in the university’s clinic, making it one of the creepiest spots on campus. There, people claim to hear the haunting screams and cries of these women.
There are also claims that its lecture halls are haunted by the spirits of professors, with ghostly activity like self-erasing chalkboards and mysterious writings appearing.
6. Salem State University
Though not directly tied to the Salem Witch Trials, Salem State University is rich with chilling tales of paranormal activity and is one of the most haunted universities in the world.
Residents of Bowditch Hall have reported violent bed shaking and loud banging sounds, particularly in Room 222.
Other halls aren’t any better — in Gramley Hall, the spirit of a student who committed suicide is believed to roam the corridors, along with sightings of a shadowy black figure. Clewell Hall is said to be haunted by the ghost of a girl who died there, her presence is still felt by those living in the building today.
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7. Peking University
Founded in 1898, Peking University (PKU) is one of the first comprehensive national universities in modern China, located close to the site of the Tiananmen Square demonstrations where the Chinese army allegedly killed thousands.
Today, students and staff at PKU believe that the spirits of those lost continue to haunt the university’s walkways and halls. Reports of ghost sightings, strange odours, and unexplained screams have surfaced in classrooms, dormitories, and various locations throughout the expansive 274-hectare campus.
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8. University of Alabama
In 1860, the University of Alabama became a military academy for training Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. Legend says that a tall Confederate soldier lurks by the Roundhouse, also known as “Jason’s Shrine,” which served as a cadet guardhouse during the war.
The university’s paranormal history includes reports of the ghostly footsteps of Josiah Gorgas, a former university president, accompanied by the sound of his clanging sword. Gorgas’s wife, Amelia Gorgas, is said to wander the fourth floor of the Gorgas House, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the campus.
9. Downlands College
Previously used as military quarters during World War II, this co-ed college in Australia is filled with scary ghost stories. This includes sightings of a man engulfed in flames on campus, a woman haunting the administration building, and a priest who roams the chapel.
According to The Courier Mail, in 2015, an old class photograph resurfaced. It captured a blurred white figure, believed to be the spirit of a boy. This is one of the few evidences of all the ghostly legends of Downlands College.
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10. De La Salle University
During World War II, the Philippines’s De La Salle University (DLSU) was occupied by Japanese forces and transformed into a military stronghold, leading to the tragic killing of everyone on campus.
The most notable paranormal activity can be found in the Student Personnel Services (SPS) building’s elevator, where a student allegedly suffocated and was found days later. Many experience an eerie presence and even faint while using this now-abandoned elevator.
11. University of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka, the oldest university in modern Bangladesh which was established in 1921, is home to one of the most chilling horror sights of all time.
The most notorious site for paranormal sightings is Shahidullah Hall Pond, an old body of water connecting Shahidullah Hall to the rest of the university. This area is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who have drowned in the pond.
12. Transylvania University
When you hear the word “Transylvania”, the first thing that comes to mind is “vampires.” But in this case, this 1780-built university in the US is home to one of the most gruesome horror stories and is one of the most haunted universities in the world.
According to legend, Transylvania University was cursed by Constantine Rafinesque, a former botany teacher and French and Italian tutor who was dismissed by the Board following a dispute. Enraged, he declared that he had placed a curse on the university before succumbing to yellow fever.
Students have reported encounters with the ghost of a student who allegedly committed suicide, as well as sightings of a male figure who stands at the foot of their bed before vanishing into thin air.
