Houska Castle

Houska Castle is without doubt one of the most mysterious, mythical, cryptic, and downright bizarre castles in the world. Built in the 13th century atop a gaping hole in the ground—said to be bottomless—it earned its nickname as The Gateway to Hell. During medieval times, superstition ran deep, and legend has it that prisoners were offered pardons in exchange for volunteering to be lowered into the pit. The first man sent down let out a blood-curdling scream—and when hauled back up, he was said to have aged decades in mere minutes.

The structure of Houska Castle is just as strange. Rather than being designed to defend against external threats, it’s built inward—as if to contain whatever lies within. It's located far from any trade routes or strategic vantage points, raising the question: why build a castle here at all? No one really knows.

Inside, visitors will find curious features, including a haunting wall mural of a female archer with the body of a centaur. She's depicted shooting left-handed—a medieval symbol of demonic allegiance. It is believed to be the only known medieval painting of a left-handed female archer targeting a human.

Houska Castle has been featured in numerous travel shows, ghost hunter series, and even a Doctor Who novella. Whether you're a sceptic or a believer, it’s one of the most enigmatic—and possibly haunted—places in Europe. Look it up on YouTube if you dare.