5 Most Intriguing Dark Tourism Destinations From Across The World

Dark tourism is a travel trend that has gained significant momentum over the last few years. The term itself has been coined in the recent past to categorise “tourism directed to places that are identified with death and suffering”. Tourists are choosing to visit places that have dark, morbid histories often associated with mass killings, gruesome deaths and other such tragedies. These sites harbour deeply tragic memories, therefore tourists visiting must maintain a certain sense of decorum to honour the place.

While these sites have macabre histories, the structures that stand today honouring their memory have a unique aesthetic. Visually awe-inspiring, here we have a list of some of the most intriguing dark tourism destinations from across the world.

# Costa Concordia Shipwreck, Italy

This Italian cruise ship capsized and sank in 2012 after striking an underwater obstruction off Isola del Giglio. Tragically, despite sinking only 1,300 feet off the island, 32 out of more than 4,000 people aboard died in the accident. Mere months after the incident, the wreck of Costa Concordia became a sombre tourist attraction. Thousands of tourists queued up to catch a ferry that passed within just a few feet of the submerged cruise ship. In July 2014, after being brought to a vertical position, the ship began its final journey to be scrapped in Genoa.

# Suicide Forest, Japan

The Suicide Forest in Japan is officially called Aokigahara. It covers 4 square miles of land and lies at the northwest base of Mount Fuji in Japan. Historically, the forest has been associated with demons in Japanese mythology. What adds to its eerie atmosphere is the fact that the forest has a dense tree distribution, blocking winds. This makes it uncannily quiet and unnerving. The forest has seen several suicides; statistics suggest that 100 suicides occur there every year.

# Leap Castle, Ireland

Built during the 13th century, Leap Castle has a very gruesome past. The castle was the site of a fratricide committed in the chapel. The chapel has since been referred to as the ‘Bloody Chapel’. At the chapel, a man interrupted mass and impaled his priest brother with a sword. Rumours suggest that the castle is home to many spirits that haunt the grounds to this day.

The most violent spirit is known as the Elemental, recognizable by its smell of rotting flesh and sulphur. A secret dungeon was also discovered and it contained three cartloads of human remains and spikes to impale those thrown into the dungeon. Now, the castle has become the private residence of musician Seán Ryan, who says he often hears the ghosts moving around the castle.

# Oradour-sur-Glane, France

Now considered a ghost town, Oradour-sur-Glane is located in the west-central region of France. It was the unfortunate site of one of the German SS’ most brutal massacres. After the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, the German army decided to spread terror among the French resistance and send a strong message.

They went on to slaughter the entire population of this small village. The men were shot dead while the women and children were executed in church. A total of 642 men, women and children were killed in the chilling massacre. Ever since, the town remains completely vacant. It was never rebuilt. Today, it stands as a museum commemorating the gruesome incident.

# Babenhausen Barracks, Germany

This site used to house soldiers for combat in World War II. The barracks eventually fell into disuse post the war, but what makes it a dark tourism spot is the frequent occurrence of paranormal activity. People have spotted ghosts of German soldiers in uniforms, lights turn on and off at their whim and voices along with German commands are often heard shouted out in the middle of the night.