5 spooky legends of Lisbon

These places I’m about to talk about in this article are pretty peculiar. You will need to be very brave to visit them, although this kind of “tourism” is getting trendy, especially for people who are looking for intense emotions and different experiences. Read on and find out 5 spooky legends of Lisbon to get you inspired!

In Lisbon and its outskirts, there are many places that are thought to be haunted by people’s old spirits that formerly used to live there. You may believe it or not, you may think there are only legends, rumors, tales that were made up by imaginative people. But one thing I know for sure is that visiting the places, I’m about to present to you, surely will not keep you indifferent! Therefore, if you’re a fan of haunted places, spooky stories, read on and discover a few places in Lisbon and its outskirts and get ready for some strong emotions-filled visits!

Childhood memories at Castelinho de São João do Estoril

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Located between Lisbon and Cascais, in São João do Estoril, you will find its Castelinho which tells us the most famous ghost story of the region!

A little blind girl, the daughter of the first owners, had fallen in the sea by accident. Many people swear they’ve seen her walking around the property with a doll in her hand. José Castelo Branco, a Portuguese celebrity, wanted to buy the house in 1983, but one visit to the property made him quit the idea of purchasing it. He said in many interviews that he saw a little girl playing with other children by cliff and he felt driven to the sea.

In 2016, the house was finally sold for three millions of euros.

Hear the cries of despair at Quinta das Conchas

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© Misérias de Lisboa

This farm was owned by several families, before Francisco Mantero turned out to be its owner in 1899. Little is left of the house, but you can still see its structure that reminds of old colonial houses.

Mantero was an important producer in São Tomé and Príncipe. He lived in Angola, Mozambique and Timor. Mantero also was the founding partner of Lisbon Geographical Society. He was the founder of the fields in Santa Margarida, Monte Macaco and Maianço in the São Tomé Islands and Príncipe, which main exploration was cacao and coffee. Despite his thriving career, Francisco Montero had a dark side.

He fell in love with a native woman in São Tomé, with whom he had a daughter. Her beauty was so unique, that he locked her in a house in the Quinta das Conchas. Was it for jealousy or for not wanting her to be seen by others? We don’t know, but the woman was imprisoned in a cage.

After many years of captivity, she went mad and ended up dying. It is said that one can still hear sounds of weeping, then they turn into cries of distress.

If you’re feeling curious and wish to visit this place, you need to know that it is forbidden, because there’s a real risk of collapse of the house. So, you better keep your distances…

Secret gatherings at Chalet Biester

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Most commonly known as the Witches House, this Neo-Gothic building is located in the Serra de Sintra. Built between 1866 and 1869, this house was the setting for the filming of Roman Polansky supernatural thriller The Ninth Gate.

The Chalet Biester has seven floors underground where a secret society used to gather. The legend says that one of the three copies of the Devils book is found there. Also, note that the Chalet Biester is private property and no visitors are allowed. But it is still very impressive to see from outside, so if you’re visiting Sintra, make sure you get a glimpse of this strangely captivating house.

Witches meetings at Cruz dos Quatro Caminhos

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© Eduardo Portugal

Next on my list of spooky legends of Lisbon is the one about the Cruz dos Quatro Caminhos. It is one of the oldest spooky stories of the city! The Cruz dos Quatro Caminhos used to be where now is found Rua dos Sapadores. During many years, this place was the outskirts of the city of Lisbon.

Before the advent of electricity, people used to live in the dark after the sun set. It was said that witches gathered there around a Cross of Christ. The Lisbon people avoided to cross the area.

Avoid bad luck at Edíficio Panorâmico de Monsanto

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© Diogo Garcia

The Edifício Panorâmico de Monsanto, the Monsanto Panoramic Building, is located in the Parque Florestal of Monsanto.

In 1968, the Lisbon City Council ordered the construction of the building to host either a restaurant, a viewpoint, or an hotel but the truth is that the construction works were never completed.

At the beginning of the 1970’s, José Cristóvão, a businessman, undertook a few construction works in the inside of the building to set up a tourism complex, but the project was once again left unfinished.

The Edifício Panorâmico de Monsanto is abandoned and in a run-down state. Some people believe that the building is haunted by bad luck that doesn’t allow any project to move forward. Other people simply consider that it is just about political lack of will and lack of management capacity.

You’ve now been introduced to 5 spooky legends of Lisbon! If you get to see or visit some of these places, please tag us on your Instagram pictures! We love to hear from you and get to know your thoughts and perspectives on what we share on the blog! These are only some of Lisbon spooky legends. It’s up to you to decide if they’re real. Whether they happen to be true or not doesn’t really matter, because these places are unique and will surely provide a one-of-a-kind experience for you, since they are so peculiar! If you want to visit less spooky areas of Lisbon, I suggest you to join our walking tours. A local guide will tell you everything about the history of the city and Portugal and show you all the best places! This is definitely one of the best ways to discover and explore Lisbon! Also, don’t hesitate to contact us if you need further information about anything. I hope you’ve enjoyed my article! See you soon in Lisbon!

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