With the connection to ancient Greece, Persia, and Rome, Turkey is one of the most beautiful and ancient sites on the planet. This country has a long tradition, and it is home to some of the world’s most ancient and architectural ruins, which draw many visitors each year. When it comes to museums and sites to see in Turkey, certain places have been declared haunted for a long time, and people with a fascination with such places travel from all over the world to see them. There are many haunted locations in Turkey and some true ghost stories that people have been hearing and listening to for generations. So, prepare to be astounded by Turkey’s strange stories. If you want to feel the real fear, pack your bags, get your turkey visa, and visit turkey.
Top 10 Haunted Places in Turkey
The following is a list of Turkey’s most haunted locations, which are a year-round tourist attraction. Check it out!
- The Ghost Village of Kayakoy
This ghost village is just a short distance from Fethiye and Olu Deniz, two popular tourist destinations. This village’s grim heritage is why it has been proclaimed and is said to be haunted. Many Christians were deported from the village after an earthquake a few years ago. It is a popular destination, but you can feel the thrill as soon as you reach the old and deserted buildings and structures. Many visitors have said to have seen strange shadows and suspicious ghostly figures.
2. Topkapi Palace
Even though Topkapi Palace is one of Turkey’s largest museums and a popular tourist destination, many tourists have confirmed seeing odd ghostly apparitions. This site is one of the Ottoman Empire’s main residences. The palace houses a large array of ancient gods and grand architecture that tells the tale of the place. Every year, many visitors flock to Topkapi Palace to see the historical architecture and the museum, which houses a vast collection of items that you do not skip.
3. Bakırpaşa Mansion
This is an ancient Turkish mansion that is said to be haunted. Since the building is ancient and partly damaged, it provides a hair-raising experience, particularly at night. Its haunted presence will give you the creeps when you see it on a foggy night. According to the locals, this structure only appears for one day a year. It is recommended that you return after 11:00 p.m. on a cloudy night if you wish to sense the presence of a ghost. These terrifying tales are focused on actual events and personal encounters.
4. Cemil Molla Mansion
This haunted location in Turkey is well-known for its haunted experience, with many people claiming to have seen ghosts in the area. The renovation of this haunted house has been postponed many times because staff have refused to work here because they claim to have seen ghosts wandering the home, which may be dangerous and frightening. People claim that one of the workers lost his speech during the restoration because he saw the haunted ghost at work. This bizarre incident will surely give you a jolt of horror. Later, with the help of some brave people, this mansion was restored.
5. The Haunted Mansion
The mansion designed in 1911 and is situated on the European coast. It is made of red bricks and has a large glass stainless shutter. The mansion is known as Perili Kosk, which translates to “the cursed mansion” in Turkish. Since the staff who designed the mansion claimed to see the late wife of Ottoman Pasha Yusuf Ziya, the building of this place has remained partially unfinished for a long time. The building’s faint piano tone can also be heard from time to time.
6. Molla Zeyrek Mosque
This mosque in Istanbul is a major monument made up of two former orthodox churches and a temple. It is in Istanbul’s Zeyrek neighbourhood. This mosque was constructed in the 12th century and still seems to be haunted. Some residents claim to have heard a scream emanating from the mosque, which used to be stable. People also believe that an underwater tunnel connects that location to the Ayvansaray region. However, despite the lack of documentation, the site is thought to be haunted by locals.
7. Cevahir Bedesten
This grand bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and biggest markets, and it serves as a shopping mall today. It’s an odd, haunted location, but locals say it has some haunted elements. The bazaar of ‘Cevahir Bedesten’ is said to be cursed because it is said to have a doorway that opens into another world. While this location is said to be haunted, it is still busy with people shopping. But, in the dark, it has a tragic past because it was once a sign of horror and paranormal activity.
8. Derinkuyu, Cappadocia
In Cappadocia, there were 36 underground settlements where groups of people used to shelter for their protection and warmth. There were almost 20,000 people who lived there at one time who did a variety of jobs to support themselves. Your footsteps are now echoing through the dim halls of this place. The archaeologists who uncovered and excavated this site have gotten stuck in the lengthy underground passageways, which is very exciting. Strange shapes and ghostly figures have been identified by some visitors who visited Derinkuyu, and some of them have been captured in photos and videos.
9. Basilica Cistern, Istanbul
This long, underground water cistern, situated in the heart of Istanbul, was constructed to provide water to residents for hundreds of years. It was built in the sixth century and is a popular tourist attraction in Turkey because of its size. When you enter, the apartment seems to be infinite, and it is estimated to hold up to 100,000 tonnes of water. This massive building claimed the lives of thousands of slaves when it was being built and is thus said to be haunted. The presence of ancient cravings in an underground water chamber continues to be a source of fascination.
10 Sumela Monastery
The Sumela Monastery’s history is fascinating and vivid. The monastery, located on Turkey’s Black Sea coast, has been home to Greek Orthodox Monks for hundreds of years. The monastery becomes suspicious and haunted on a foggy and dark day. According to the monastery residents, the entire area is plagued by the spirits of monks who once resided here.
The ten most haunted locations in Turkey are listed below. Some are popular tourist destinations, while others have been deserted for a long time. Pack your bags, apply for your turkey e visa and make a reservation for a flight to Turkey, and embark on an adventure into the unknown. Even if you’re a ghost hunter, the locations mentioned above are sure to give you the chills.