Spooky experiences in Europe
While I have only been in Austria for a short amount of time, I have definitely experienced a few different things. Before I continue, I want to make clear that this blog isn't all about my travels, (That will come later), this is about the different spiritual things that I have experienced so far on my travels. I am also saying that I am by no means a medium, nor can I talk to spirits. However, I have an open mind, and I hope you will as well as you read this.
I find it's hard to feel the energy in a room when there is so many different tourists coming in each day, however, I did feel quite a few things in the infamous Neuschwanstein Castle, also known as The 'Fairy-tale' King Ludwig II of Bavaria. This is also the castle that Disney based Cinderella's castle on. The architecture was known as the castle romanticism. The King was known for his obsession with castles and palaces, and he ascended the throne in 1864 at the age of 18. The construction began in 1869, and was completed in 1886, almost 20 years later.
This castle was considered the King's personal retreat. He was a patron of Richard Wagner's music and would often listen to his world of myths and legends. The castle holds over 200 rooms. While on the tour we only went to a few. This castle may not be that old, but it certainly has a strong history. This castle was built on the site of two former castles. The ruins of the fortress of Schwanstein and Hohenschwangau castle. Both of which had been built in the 12th and 13th centuries. It is said the Ludwig's spirit wanders the halls, and that some visitors have seen the ghostly figure of the King.
While I didn't see any figures, I did feel some strange presences. We went down a hallway, listening to the audio guide, and I stopped outside this one room, I felt... I'm not sure what I felt. But I knew I had to go in. As I stepped in, I realized it was the King's bed chambers. I looked around it was quite extravagant, however, I could definitely feel this pull towards his bed. It was encased in glass, to protect the antique, and I could feel the anger there, like he didn't like all these people wandering into his chambers. To be fair, I wouldn't either. Imagine passing away before your castle is completed, and then many years later have thousands of people wander through your castle, and through your bed chambers. I should also say he was a very private person, and had be built a large ball room just for himself.
I didn't see the spirit of the King, but I could imagine his spirit sitting on his bed, holding his head in his hands, screaming at the state of his castle, and the amount of people in there. I felt a pang of guilt for being there.
I didn't really feel anything for the rest of the tour, but it was definitely a maze to get out of there. There was a spiral staircase, and on the second last landing I got a touch of vertigo, so much so that I had to grab the railing and grip it hard to bring myself back to reality. This spirit wasn't the King, but I thought he might be a soldier or a servant. Neuschwanstein castle was used in WW2 to save and protect artwork. The movie, The Monuments Men, is based on a true story. This group was dedicated to protecting and finding different artworks, as well as protecting churches, and palaces.
The spirit in the stairwell, I wasn't sure his story, but I knew it wasn't pleasant. His was stuck in the staircase, I could feel fear and sadness, but unfortunately, I could do nothing to help. Other people have said they've seen the King roam the halls, King Ludwig might feel as if he has to stay there, he did only live in the castle for 172 days. Not nearly as long as he wanted to, I'm sure.
That brings us to Italy. Again, the full experience in my travels will debut in another blog, this is just based on the spooky experiences.
I went to Verona Italy, the place where a few Shakespeare plays were set in, including Romeo and Juliet, as well as, The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Verona was a very beautiful little town, with quaint houses and beautiful churches. However, with every old building it seemed there might be a dark history.
We visited St. Anatasha Cathedral, while I couldn't find much 'haunted' history of the church, I do knew there was a section or two that had a different feeling. In side the church, there was small rooms that expanding past the main, they either housed beautiful art depicting certain story lines, or they held statues. There was one on the right hand that seemed dark and heavy feeling. I didn't stand look very long as I could feel this dread, while I quickly moved on, I was mesmerized by the art.
However, on the left hand side there was another little room, The Giusti Chapel, St. Anastasia had been dedicated to Saint Peter the Martyr, since the year 1307. He is the co-patron saint of Verona, alongside of Saint Zeno. He was born in Verona around 1206, and was killed in 1252 by a blow to the head with a scythe. As well as stabbed in the chest in a coup de grace.
As I went into the room, it was an immediate cold snap, and dark. It wasn't pleasant, and I knew I immediately had to get out there. I felt red hot anger coming from the this small chapel. I suspect St. Peter wasn't too happy he was killed and it still hold a lot of unhappy energy. It is also said the Saint Peter the Martyr holds the keys to Heaven and Hell.


