Houska Castle, Czech Republic By Deb Daniel Jansonsin Ghosts and Hauntings, Haunted Locations Approximately 47km from Prague, sits a large and menacing structure called the Houska Castle. Houska Castle did trade hands between various nobles and aristocrats in later centuries, however. The castle was built in 1253-1278 and was upgraded to a Renaissance style castle during the 1500's. Therefore, it might not be surprising to discover how often legendary bottomless holes have a demonstrated bottom that people simply chose to ignore. The castle was not built as a residence or as a protective sanctuary, but was instead built because the hole was thought to be a gateway to hell. Could we create a bottomless hole? These claims date back to the castle's construction in the late 1200s, describing unearthly horrors emerging from the pit and wreaking havoc on the local population. Houska Castle sits quietly, surrounded by forest, mystery and a whole lot of legend. Castle Tour Blue holes: Definition and genesis. A truly bottomless hole would go through the earth and come out the other side an impossibility to create and a physical conundrum in terms of falling into it. And the second type is a tropical karst feature initially identified in the Bahamas. As of 2020, it was owned by his descendants. In his dreams, he had a terrifying vision, which he recorded in a letter to his friend, Edward Hindle. I wish I had more info on this citation from Corliss. He claimed to be the owner of a property seized by the U.S. government that was the location of a mysterious hole associated with very weird goings-on. It is not far from Prague (cca 50 km) in the Central Bohemian region. In the 18th century, it stopped serving as a noble residence and fell into a state of disrepair before being renovated in 1823. But in this case it has nothing to do with food. Bottomless Lakes are the result of karst features, sinkholes that are perpetually filled with water because they extend below the water table. As legend has it, Ottokar II of Bohemia ordered the castle built to seal the gateway with a fortress for good. While this is not technically impossible for a water pathway via a regional aquifer, it is NOT remotely plausible for objects of any size, like an animal or person. Bottomless? Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Dog rescued after disappearing down a sinkhole, the bottomless pit has also become a media horror trope, The lake dried up in 1866 and again in 1869 and 1976, Bottomless Lakes State Park in New Mexico, Knucker or knacker holes are bottomless ponds that do not freeze or dry up. Hydrogen sulfide gas in the water is toxic and can cause dizziness and nausea, disorienting divers. It is an early Gothic Castle that was built in 1253-1278 during the reign of Ottokar II of Bohemia. [4] From 1584 to 1590, it underwent Renaissance-style modifications, losing none of its fortress features as it looks down from a steep rocky cliff. The cirque lake, formed by glaciers, is a popular tourist location. The Life and Travels of French Mesmerist Baron Jules Du Potet de Sennevoy, The Headless Earl of Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate York, The Science and Prophecies of Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac, Couple Claims CCTV In Their Home Shows The Ghost of A Deceased Tenant, 1490: When a Meteorite Killed 10,000 People in the Chinese City of Ching-yang, Ancient Tomb Discovered Under Notre Dame Cathedral. This is ten-foot-wide opening rimmed with splatter from lava. In his vision, a girl came to him, and continued to show him a series of moving pictures in a small casket, before finding himself walking along some high sandstone cliffs in complete darkness, that were riddled with holes that projected an eerie yellow light. Firstly, most of the windows are not in use. Meurger, M. (1988). It was built in the ninth century, before a crack in the limestone appeared which locals believed was a gateway to Hell and allowed inhuman entities to enter our world. Several other tales are also associated with the pool including that it was the source of the winds on the moor. According to local legend, it was meant to trap demons. Houska Castle on Wikipedia. Houska was built by Pemysl Otakar II as a remarkable royal castle, but was soon sold to a noble family, which continued to own in until after WWI. The characteristic of bottomless is associated with the idea that a lake does not give up its dead. What happened to Daylenn Pua after climbing Hawaii's infamous Haiku Stairs? To fall into the pit is symbolic of the descent into hell and damnation. Philbrook, S. and Burgess, F. (2017). The Houska Castle Bottomless Pit, the gate of the hell . Glass pains were installed during the castles construction, but walls were also built behind them, preventing them from being used. The green-blue color from algae makes the pools look tranquil and ultra-deep. Vouliagmeni is a lake in Greece that was said to suck people in via a whirlpool, or they could be nabbed by the evil fairy folk living at the bottom. Sigils adorn the interior courtyard banisters. Its impossible to discuss the bottomless pit or pool without its connection to hell. The legend of Bale Lake in Wales tells of the voice of the lake crying out Line cannot fathom me. The story was first published in Finland by a Pentecostal Christian journal. By 1639, the castle was occupied by a Swedish mercenary named Oronto. Many people who have ventured into the castle have reported hearing scratching and screams from beneath the ground they walk on, especially as you get closer to where the pit lies. But it was also claimed to possibly be the location where the legendary King Arthur received the sword Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake. The ocean, while clearly deeper, at least moved, ebbed, and flowed. Eventually, equipment fails at the pressure and heat at about 12 kilometers. Others will try a weighted line. Skinner, C.M. She noted a correspondent told her of Welsh legends where the lakes had their own personalities and resented being measured. Many have speculated that the castles chapel was specifically built directly over the mysterious bottomless pit in order to seal the evil in and keep the demonic creatures from entering our world. The first man to do so happily agreed to be lowered down by a rope but cried out to be raised back up within seconds. After about 20 hrs of falling, youd reach the center of the earth, but then get stuck in the core trapped in the gravitational center. Indeed, to this day, visitors claim to hear screams and scratching noises from beneath the chapel floor. It is believed that the castle was built only to keep the evil in. According to legend, the castle which stands today was built over the Houska pit, in order to conceal the gateway to Hell. And this castle was built in 1271, and the reason they built this castle in this location was to try to conceal a bottomless pit which many believed to be a gateway to hell or an entrance to the underworld. The best example would be Devils Hole in Death Valley which claimed the lives of two boys in 1965 and inspired Charles Manson. [6][4], During World War II, the Wehrmacht occupied the castle until 1945. He recognized the rumor as a folklore motif common in New England. There are many names that describe this curious castle. Macha described a vision in which his soul descended into the pit, and was then transported to a type of hellish mechanized future Prague 2006. Some people trying to explore the underwater caves have perished. Listen to this episode from Unexplained Mysteries on Spotify. The lake dried up in 1866 and again in 1869 and 1976 proving that it was not bottomless but subject to drought conditions. A staff writer for All Thats Interesting, Marco Margaritoff has also published work at outlets including People, VICE, and Complex, covering everything from film to finance to technology. Ottokar II of Bohemia, Czech king and warrior, known as the Iron and Golden King. The additional features attributed to Mels Hole were bizarre. The audiotape of the voices may have come from a horror movie. According to the legend, local villagers claimed that demonic half-human and . In other ghostly tales, a headless black horse is said to gallop through the surrounding area. Many people wonder why Houska Castle was built in such a strange location and odd way. Most castles have a some kind of valid purpose behind them and are built in the best interest of the people around them. Best bet is to rent a car and drive through the countryside. Legends and Romances of Brittany. The castle was built in an impenetrable forest that provided no hunting opportunities nor strategic position near a border or any trade routes. No single person can hand-measure that depth its entirely impractical as, at that length of line, you could not feel youve reached the bottom. The city is surrounded by water and before the 20th century, the northern portions were undeveloped. Houska castle was built with no fortifications, no water, no kitchen, near no trade routes, and with no occupants at its time of completion. This particular fresco has left many scholars in awe, as it depicts a centaur from pagan mythology yet adorns the walls of a Christian chapel. The Eerie History Of Houska Castle, The Gothic Fortress Built To Seal A Gateway To Hell. Lake Ronkonkoma is Long Islands biggest and deepest lake. A phantom White Lady is also said to haunt the building. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'inquisitivewonder_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_9',163,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inquisitivewonder_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Archeological evidence shows that Celtic people had settled in the area hundreds of years prior to the castle being built, and Slavic tribes had migrated to the area as far back as the 6th century. Carolina Bays, Mima Mounds, Submarine Canyons and Other Topographical Phenomena: A Catalog of Geological Anomalies. Started in 1970, the drilling of this hole in the Kola peninsula of Russia, near the Norway border was shut down in 1992. New light on contested identity of medieval skeleton found at Prague Castle Date: August 22, 2019 Source: University of Bristol Summary: Used as a propaganda tool by the Nazis and Soviets during . Houska Castle is a gothic construction dating back to the late 1200s. The supposed hole at the castle is supposedly beneath the floor of the chapel. The investigation at Houska Castle (which today is more of a castle mansion than a . We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Locals reported seeing black winged creatures coming up out of the pit and attacking people. The rescuing hug the strange case of twins Brielle and Kyrie Jackson. Houska Castle is generally known as the most haunted castle in all of Bohemia. Houska Castle has become one of the Czech Republics most famous landmarks. So why was this random fortress built? The lakes of the Great Glen in Scotland are notable: Loch Ness has dark, peat-stained water as well. They would logically attempt to plumb it with an available oar or long tree branch or sapling. Houska Castle, which was built in the early gothic style, is the best-preserved castle of the early 13th century in Bohemia and the rule of the Golden and Iron King Pemysl Otakar II. Animals were lost in it. ABN 90643368665. legends surrounding Houska Castle may provide the answer. Mysterious, magical, cursed or hellish. Houska Castle: The tale of the gateway to hell is not for the faint of heart! Waters said he used rolls of fishing line to measure it. Today, Houska Castle remains one of the most haunted places on Earth. The bottomless pit is a well-known supernatural trope that frequently includes additional features such as having bizarre inhabitants, emitting strange sounds, or having supernatural properties. In the summer, the cold water under the warm surface can shock swimmers. In Lyminster, people tried to find the bottom of the local hole by tying the six bell ropes of the church together. It lies about 47km (29mi) north of Prague. Houska Castle wasn't near any water, wasn't strategically important, and didn't seem to have anyone living in it. Naturally, locals would be concerned about the depth of an open hole or pool that they might fall into. Ottokar II of Bohemia not only sealed the gateway to Hell with stone plates but ordered a chapel built above it. There are famous knuckerholes at Lyminster, Lancing, Shoreham, Worthing, and other areas of the South Downs that are flat. Slavic tribes migrated to the area that is now Czechia as early as the sixth century C.E. Houska Castle includes a Gothic chapel, a knight's drwaing room and a green chamber with late-Gothic paintings. A local paranormal group approached Jack for more information. Residents reportedly went missing in the forest surrounding the pit, and were thought to have been dragged to hell by the winged beasts. No wonder, all the prisoners agreed. The bottomless pit or abyss is mentioned in Revelation 9 in the Bible. Even though the lake is only at most 70 ft deep, this myth persists. They can be dangerous as the water is constantly cold and the sides may be steep making it hard to climb out. how to walk a human a dogs guide. It is believed that this was ordered to be built by Otto Karll of Bohemia, who reigned as ruler from 1253-1278. Its possible that a strong current might have existed underwater at times, creating a visible swirling effect. Adding to the evil in this old fortress, the Second World War saw the invading Nazis set up base in Houska Castles upon hearing the stories of it. Although not one of the largest or the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic, with no huge parks nor the oldest chapels, Houska Castle has become a favourite destination for many adventurers and travellers alike. Unreliable citations may be challenged or deleted. Josef imonek purchased the castle in 1920. The Swedish Commander was also known to be carrying out inhumane experiments on prisoners of war. . Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Divers enjoy exploring the blue holes but, as with any cave system, underwater caving can be treacherous. As the gothic structure today attracts thousands of visitors each year, its reputation has been tainted as one of the most haunted locations anywhere in the world. The water conceals the ultimate depth. But the supernatural stories are used as a tourism ploy and mainly appeared after 1994. Your email address will not be published. It was originally constructed in the 13th century, between 1253 and 1278, during the reign of Ottokar II of Bohemia. [4] Later on, it passed to the hands of the aristocracy, frequently passing from the ownership of one to another. Despite Oronto's death, locals continued to avoid the area. He allegedly toiled on experiments to find an elixir for eternal life in his laboratory until terrified villagers assassinated him for blasphemy. When the construction of the castle began, it is said that all the villages prisoners who had been sentenced for gallows were offered pardons if they agreed to be lowered by rope into the bottomless pit and then to tell them what they saw. It was filled only to be restored to its original condition the next day. Houska Castle is one of the best-preserved castles in the region and is 29 miles north of Prague. Learn more about your ad choices. A depth of 745 feet is seriously impressive. Ghostly figures have also been seen wandering the castle grounds. Toggle navigation. The castle is built upon a fabled bottomless pit from which winged creatures and half-man-half-beasts allegedly exited . Unfortunately, or fortunately, it doesnt exist as described. While it was unheard of at the time to include depictions of pagan mythology in a church, even more staggering is the fact that the centaur is using its left hand to shoot an arrow as left-handedness was associated with service to Satan in the Middle Ages. This is suggestive of some evil entity or the lake itself as a living thing that takes sacrifices. This makes it clear that Houska Castle was not built as a protective sanctuary or a residence. The Golden Legend. And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts: Hidden by thick forestry, Houska Castle in Czechia is shrouded in nightmarish myth and occultist legend. A Lifers PTY LTD venture. Person, H.A. According to local legend, below the stone floors . The Bottomless Lakes has resident monsters described as giant turtles. The light cannot penetrate far into the gloom so the bottom cant be seen. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'inquisitivewonder_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',162,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inquisitivewonder_com-medrectangle-3-0'); If youre lucky enough to observe Houska Castle from the outside, youll notice some quite peculiar additions. The castle's chapel was dedicated to Archangel Michael. Even Thoreaus famous Walden Pond was rumored to be bottomless. With an undeniably eerie appearance, it's what's allegedly beneath it that's far more sinister - a bottomless pit that leads directly to hell. Villagers eventually tried to block the alleged "gateway to Hell" with stones, only to see the seemingly bottomless pit devour whatever they threw in refusing to be sealed. It is fabled that the hole was so deep that no one could see the bottom of it. In the midst of the Thirty Years War (1618 1648), the control of Houska Castle was taken over by the Swedish Army. He had grown wrinkles and his hair had turned white. PORTAL TO HELL | Exploring Houska Castle, Czech Republic 286,245 views Dec 16, 2018 7.6K Dislike AmysCrypt 222K subscribers Houska Castle is said to be built on top of a Portal To Hell. [3], Houska Castle was built in the second half of the 13th century probably on the orders of Bohemian ruler Ottokar II of Bohemia during his reign (125378) to serve as an administration center from which the extensive royal estates could be managed. Houska Castle in World War II As with some of the bottomless lakes waterless chasms are often karst-related sinkholes or caves. Centuries-old legends may be able to answer that question. If you dont die from the sheer bottomlessness of it all, you will encounter whatever nasty thing exists in the dark, forsaken void. Version B) The year is 1945 and the German war machine is crumbling. Objects thrown into the hole arent recovered. Mike Dash suggests that the widespread legend of bottomless holes and lakes was an indicator of the limits of geographical mobility a century or more ago. Formed during times when sea level lower, they were then flooded and may be isolated in inland areas or open to the existing marine environment. The deepest natural pits in the world include the Devils Sinkhole, Rocksprings, Texas at 400 and Deans Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas at 650. The castle is very well-preserved for a castle from that period. Gases were once emitted from this vent during past eruptions. Centuries-old legends may be able to answer that question. Any fish placed in it might have simply leaped out. Exaggerated legends say that one who made it out was aged 30 years after only being in the hole for a short while. Here, more surface occult activity supposedly occurs as this place is where the devil meets with his minions and a headless ghost circles the pond after being summoned by hobgoblins. It is one of the best preserved castles of the period. Mylroie, J.E., Carew, J.L. It is April 8, 2014. He reigned from 1253 to 1278 and ordered the castle to be made as an administration centre for his royal estates. Constructed between 1253 and 1278 during the reign of Ottokar II of Bohemia, the castle's original purpose has become the subject of many dark and terrifying stories. The castle was founded by Czech king Pemysl Otakar I in the 13th century. This gothic castle dates back to the late 1200s, though the tales surrounding the land it is built upon span back even longer. In addition to its curious location, Houska Castle was built without stairs leading from its two upper floors to the courtyard. One of the most prominent legends surrounding Houska Castle may provide the answer. It is fabled that the hole was so deep that no one could see the bottom of it. He said locals knew of the hole and would throw garbage in it. There were many superstitions associated with the lake bolstered by real airplane crashes. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}502928N 143726E / 50.491N 14.624E / 50.491; 14.624. Once he had found himself in this technological future, he found himself wandering aimlessly in horror and despair. Link Location Gps 50.4909607. It lies about 47 km (29 mi) north of Prague. The weight of the line (at least 40 pounds) would mask the feeling of a weighted end hitting bottom. The fact that this beast is using its left hand to shoot its arrow is even more unnerving, as left-handedness was associated with Satan in the Middle Ages. Blatce, Czech Republic Houska Castle (Ghost Hunters International) Most castles are defensive fortifications, meant to keep people out. The dark hole is universally scary. Not only will you have most certainly encountered groundwater somewhere along the way, but the geothermal gradient would make the temperature at this depth very hot and melt the line. Harrington, E.R. Dozmary Pool is important for migrating birds, native rare plants, and for its preservation of vegetation since the last ice age. The unfathomable Mummelsee, in the northern Black Forest, Baden Baden, Germany was called the Lake of Miracles by the Romans. Dunning, B. This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 18:46. Locals believed this was a gateway to Hell from which demonic beings emerged to feed on villagers and drag them back into the abyss, never to be seen again. Houska 1, 471 62 Doksy, Czechia. Visitors still claim to hear screams and scratching noises from the chapel at night. Located in a rift valley, the average depth is over 2000 feet with the maximum depth measured at 5,387 feet. These include a half-bullfrog, half-human creature, a headless horse, and an old woman traversing the grounds. The men saw the muddy bottom but simply assumed the monster was hiding under the mud. It was said he toiled night and day to discover an elixir for eternal life. Any fissures or small hole on the surface can look deceptively deep because a narrow space does not allow light to penetrate far, so it looks scary. Is a castle in the present-day Czech Republic guarding us against unimaginable evil? Thus, by constructing the Gothic building's defensive walls facing inward, they were able to keep the demons trapped in the lower level's thickest walls closest to the hole of the castle. Others claim to hear a chorus of screams coming from beneath the heavy floor. Certainly. Skeletal remains of Nazis were purportedly found in the courtyard of Houska Castle. Mammoth cave in Kentucky has a bottomless pit that is 105 feet deep. Interesting mineralogical and even biological data were collected.