If you’re looking for things to do in Krakow on Halloween, or if you’re just a fan of all things spooky, then you’ve come to the right place.
Krakow old town is one of the most historic areas in Europe, but beyond the picturesque cobbles lie dark secrets. Making Krakow one of the most haunted places to visit in Poland. In fact, Krakow’s Wawel Castle alone is supposedly haunted by several different ghosts…more on that shortly.
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Otherwise, if you’re searching for what to do in Krakow and you’re thirsting for a fright, there are several terrifying Krakow activities. Here is our list of Krakow’s most haunted places.
1. Lost Souls Alley
Although perhaps not haunted in the traditional sense, Lost Souls Alley is certainly one of the most terrifying places to visit in Krakow centre and one of the most spine-chilling Krakow activities.
Opened in 2013, Lost Souls Alley has cemented its place as one of the most popular Krakow tourist attractions, mainly by scaring people half to death. Located in the Old Town, this haunted house-cum-escape room is a frightful, gut-wrenching experience that’s really not for the faint hearted. In their own words they, “bring your worst nightmares to life.”
Thrill-seekers can choose from several different experiences rated by levels of fun, fear and pain…yes, pain. Chilling entertainment at its best. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Floriańska 6, 31-021 Kraków
2. Ogrodzieniec Castle
About an hour outside of Krakow is the impressive Ogrodzieniec Castle, a 15th century fortification occupied several times over throughout history. It’s pretty impressive to visit and was one of the filming locations for the popular Netflix series The Witcher in 2018. One of the castle’s more infamous residents however, is the Black Dog of Ogrodzieniec.
Believed to be the ghostly incarnation of 17th century nobleman Stanislaw Warszycki, locals in the nearby village of Podzamcze claim that a Black Dog haunts the ruins of the castle, dragging an old chain behind him as he trudges through the castle grounds.
Warszycki was a nobleman in the 17th century who was known for his loyalty to Poland and to the king, most notably Jan II Casimer. However rumours persisted that Warszycki was notoriously cruel to his servants and his wife, and that he constructed a ‘cave of tortures’ under the castle to carry out punishments on his staff. The remains of the torture chamber can stil be found on the north side of the external courtyard.
Legend has is that Warszycki sold his soul to the Devil to protect his property and wealth and in 1658 during the Swedish deluge (Swedish invasion of Poland), when all other castles in the area fell to the Swedes, Warszycki’s castle in Danków close to Częstochowa, was the only one that survived. In return when Warszycki died, the Devil dragged his soul to Hell. However the Black Dog remained behind, containing his disembodied spirit, to repent his sins and protect his wealth.
Strangely enough Dankow castle claims to also be haunted by the ghost of Stanislaw Warszycki, only there his spirit appears in the form of a headless horseman. Speaking of headless horsemen…
Zamkowa, 42-440 Podzamcze
3. The Headless Horseman of Wawel Castle
The Wawel Castle complex is not only one of the most historical buildings in Poland, but it is also thought to be one of the most haunted. Several ghosts are said to have been sighted here over the years. You can hear about some of these on the Walk with the Dead free tour.
One of many ghosts that haunts Krakow’s Wawel Castle is that of Krzysztof Szafraniec, a 15th century highwayman. Szafraniec used to operate on horseback, robbing travellers on the roads that led North out of Krakow. He gathered quite a reputation for thievery until he was eventually captured by the Starosta of Krakow. He was taken to the thieves tower in Wawel castle and was eventually executed for his crimes at the foot of the Senatorska tower in the castle in 1484.
Occupants of Wawel castle and tourists alike, have claimed over the years to have spotted the headless spirit of Szafraniec still riding around the grounds of Wawel at night, in search of his decapitated head.
Wawel 5, 31-001 Kraków
4. The Horror House of Wola Justowska
Wola Justowska is a small village area of Krakow on the outskirts of the city in the Zwierzyniec District. A little off the usual tourist trail, the only visitors to the area other than residents, are often those brave or stupid enough to go looking for ‘the Horror house’.
There is something rather odd about this house. In an otherwise picturesque area of Krakow with beautiful, large houses all around, there sits an old, abandoned grey house surrounded by barbed wire and overgrown grass, looking like something out of your typical Hollywood horror film.
Legend has it that the house was occupied until the 1990’s when a man was found dead there. Soon afterwards a young couple moved in. They noticed some strange goings on in the house and one night their car engine started by itself and drove at the terrified couple on the driveway.
Next a jeweller’s shop opened up in the building. Necklaces would fly off shelves and gems and jewellery would get inexplicably crushed.
Finally after an IT company saw their computers monitors hurled to the floor and their equipment burn out, the house was abandoned and hasn’t been lived in since. Urban legends persist of animals that were found skinned alive and nearby residents claim to see strange lights and shadows through the windows at night.
5. The Haunted House of Kosocicka Street
Another supposedly haunted house in Krakow, was located in the south of the city, on Kosocicka Street. Several legends persist about the house. Some say that it was haunted by the ghost of an old tenant who committed suicide. Others claim two brothers lived there and during a heated argument one night, one killed the other. Of course there are also stories that claim the reason so much ill-will fell upon the house is because it was originally built on the remains of an old cemetery, pertaining to the old American cliché of the ancient Indian burial ground.
Whatever the truth is, we will probably never know, because the house was demolished in 2016. Although not before a group of ghost hunters apparently turned up to protest the importance of the house.
Kosocicka 8, 30-694 Kraków
6. Witkowice Forest
This wooded area about 20 minutes North of Krakow centre, is thought by many to be particularly unwelcoming to visitors. Various people claim paranormal occurrences happen there. This might all stem from the fact that in 2001 it is rumoured that a group of students on a hiking trip into the woods disappeared. The last person to see them alive was an old man who warned them not to venture any further. But venture they did. None of the group were ever seen again and no remains have ever been found. It is not known what happened to them. Although nor is it known if the story is actually true or not. Many swear that it is and that the disappearance of the group has since been covered up. Who knows?
Park Leśny Witkowice w Krakowie, 31-234 Kraków
