A lot of northern folklore includes the figures you’d expect to see – fairies, ghosts, brownies, and black dogs. But you might not expect to see northern vampires among the folk tales and legends. Yet three tales about vampires in the north, most notably in Berwick, Alnwick, and Melrose, occur in the historical record Canon […]
Are the Dancing Fairies of Northumbria Benign or Malevolent?
Tales of fairies exist all over the world, and there are hundreds to choose from right here in the British Isles. Yet they often have a particular ‘flavour’ or motif that lets you group them together. One of the common motifs of folk tales in the northeast of England is that of dancing fairies. It […]
4 Amsterdam Ghost Stories from the City of Canals
Amsterdam is famous for a lot of things, from its picturesque canals to the Anne Frank House, and more besides. What you might not expect from the Dutch capital is a series of Amsterdam ghost stories. Though why not? The city enjoys some 800 years of history, including wartime occupation, economic boom times, and floods. […]
4 Barcelona Ghost Stories from the Catalonian Capital
Barcelona lies on the Mediterranean Coast in Catalonia. It’s a gorgeous city, famous for architect Antoni Gaudí, artist Joan Miró and writer Carlos Ruiz Zafón, among many others. Yet you’ll find more than a few Barcelona ghost stories amid the winding streets and Gothic cathedrals. Strange histories abound in Barcelona. Astruc Sacanera, an astrologer and […]
4 Paris Ghost Stories from the City of Light
Paris is known as the City of Light, but it’s seen its fair share of darkness over the centuries. It’s not surprising that Paris ghost stories loiter on the boulevards, amid the tourists and fashionable locals. And they even have celebrity ghosts. Oscar Wilde apparently haunts room 5077 of the Westin Vendome hotel (Brace 2019). […]
3 creepy tales of the Devil, the helpful dead, and ghosts in Venice
The Jewel of the Adriatic is a gorgeous wonder, filled with masks, bridges, alleyways, and mystery. But there are also ghosts in Venice, often only seen in the brief half-light when daytime gives way to the night. I went to Venice back in August 2017, and paid a visit to the Libreria Acqua Alta. I […]
