Explore Iran’s Haunted Corners: Journey Into the Country’s Most Terrifying Sites

Sunday, July 13, 2025

SAEDNEWS: From ghost-infested cemeteries to cursed deserts and ancient ruins, Iran holds some of the most chilling destinations for thrill-seeking travelers. Discover these eerie locations that blend legend, mystery, and raw natural beauty.

Explore Iran’s Haunted Corners: Journey Into the Country’s Most Terrifying Sites

According to Saed News, Iran’s vast landscapes hide places that not only dazzle but also haunt. Whether you're drawn to ghost stories, local folklore, or the sheer adrenaline of the unknown, these terrifying destinations promise unforgettable experiences. Below is a guide through some of Iran’s most notorious haunted and mysterious sites:

1. Haunted Lake of Mazandaran (Talab-e Arvah)

  • Location: Mazandaran Province, 12 km south of Vanush village, Nowshahr County.

    Talab-e Arvah

  • Why Visit: Dead trees standing in the middle of the lake, constant mist, and wildlife noises create a scene straight from a horror movie. Locals believe past inhabitants named it for a reason, though no spirits have been directly witnessed.

    Haunted Lake of Mazandaran

2. Jinn Castle, Kish Island

  • Location: Hormozgan Province, Kish Island, near the Greek Ship.

    Jinn Castle, Kish Island

  • Why Visit: Locals strongly advise against visiting this dilapidated castle after dark, claiming it’s inhabited by jinn. At night, the castle’s atmosphere turns ominous, heightened by the sound of wind and nearby wells.

3. Rig-e Jenn Desert: Iran’s Bermuda Triangle

  • Location: Semnan Province, eastern edge of Kavir National Park.

     Rig-e Jenn Desert: Iran’s Bermuda Triangle

  • Why Visit: One of Earth’s hottest places, with salt marshes and sand dunes. Locals tell of unexplained deaths and strange disappearances, believing evil spirits rule here.

4. Takht-e Soleyman Lake: The Treasure Lake

  • Location: West Azerbaijan Province, 2 km east of Takht-e Soleyman town.

  • Why Visit: Said to be created by Prophet Solomon’s staff, hiding an ancient treasure. Myths speak of warriors offering riches to the lake, never to be seen again.

    Takht-e Soleyman Lake: The Treasure Lake

5. Valley of Stars, Qeshm Island

  • Location: Hormozgan Province, 1.5 km northwest of Berkeh Khalaf village.

  • Why Visit: Locals believe magical forms in this valley were shaped by falling stars or aliens. Whistling winds through the carved stones intensify its eerie vibe, especially at night.

Valley of Stars, Qeshm Island

6. Bouyni Youghoun: The Man-Eating Castle

  • Location: Ardabil Province, north of Kour Abbaslou village.

  • Why Visit: Historical visitors reportedly vanished mysteriously, leading to its dark nickname. Its abandoned structure fuels ghostly legends.

    Bouyni Youghoun: The Man-Eating Castle

7. Darvish Khan’s Stone Garden, Sirjan

  • Location: Kerman Province, 7 km southeast of Bolourd city.

  • Why Visit: Dead trees bearing stone fruits. Created by Darvish Khan Esfandiarpour, who hung stones from dried trees as protest after losing his farmland.

     Darvish Khan’s Stone Garden, Sirjan

     Darvish Khan’s Stone Garden, Sirjan

8. Old Zabol Castle Ruins

  • Location: Sistan and Baluchestan Province, 13 km north of Zahak city.

  • Why Visit: Once a major city, now a haunting ruin. Locals believe spirits and jinn inhabit it.

    Old Zabol Castle Ruins

    Old Zabol Castle Ruins

9. Hell’s Valley, Meshgin Shahr

  • Location: Ardabil Province, 7 km south of Mueil village.

  • Why Visit: Steep cliffs make this area both dangerous and terrifying. Residents avoid it, fearing fatal accidents and ghostly encounters.

    Hell’s Valley, Meshgin Shahr

10. Jinn Cemetery, Chabahar

  • Location: Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Tis village.

  • Why Visit: Oversized tombstones engraved with strange symbols. Locals believe jinn are buried here. By night, eerie sounds like wailing fill the air.

    Jinn Cemetery, Chabahar

11. Standing Children’s Cemetery, Bam Citadel

  • Location: Kerman Province, Bam City.

  • Why Visit: Post-earthquake excavations revealed 68 mummified children buried vertically within the Citadel’s walls. Legends tie their deaths to historical sieges and darker myths.

    Standing Children’s Cemetery, Bam Citadel

12. Killer Cave, Kermanshah

  • Location: Kermanshah Province, 21 km northeast of Kermanshah City.

  • Why Visit: Known as Parau Cave, it’s the world’s largest vertical cave. Called “The Killer Cave” after several cavers lost their lives attempting its descent.

    Killer Cave, Kermanshah

13. Qasabeh Qanat, Gonabad

  • Location: Razavi Khorasan Province, 3 km south of Gonabad.

  • Why Visit: The world’s longest and oldest qanat. Its pitch-black labyrinth stretches over 35 km, with legends saying its origins lie in ancient kings’ penance.

    Qasabeh Qanat, Gonabad

Qasabeh Qanat, Gonabad

14. Valley of the Jinn, Tabas

  • Location: South Khorasan Province, 5 km west of Azmighan village.

  • Why Visit: Known locally as “Kal-e Jinni,” eerie sounds echo here at night. Legends blame birth defects on its jinn inhabitants.

    Valley of the Jinn, Tabas

15. Screaming Forest, Mashhad

  • Location: Razavi Khorasan Province, near Sarbarj village.

  • Why Visit: At night, screams resembling a woman’s death cries pierce the silence. Locals attribute it to cursed spirits, though science suggests insects.

    Screaming Forest, Mashhad

    Screaming Forest, Mashhad

16. Cemetery of the Mute, Meshgin Shahr

  • Location: Ardabil Province, northeast of Arjagh village.

  • Why Visit: Gravestones depict faceless humans. Locals say these are the “mouthless dead,” adding a layer of mystery to this ancient burial site.

    Cemetery of the Mute, Meshgin Shahr

17. Chimney of the Jinn, Zanjan

  • Location: Zanjan Province, south of Lilan village.

  • Why Visit: Hoodoo rock formations resembling giant mushroom caps. Locals believe jinn live here and that no human survives a night nearby.

    Chimney of the Jinn, Zanjan

18. Valley of the Spirits, Dezful

  • Location: Khuzestan Province, near Bisheh-Bazan village.

  • Why Visit: Known also as Kool Khersan, towering 200-meter cliffs make it both breathtaking and unnerving. The narrow paths and looming walls give the feeling of being watched.

    Valley of the Spirits, Dezful

19. Haunted Cabin, Anzali

  • Location: Gilan Province, near Behmber village.

  • Why Visit: Locals claim spending one night here brings wealth—but also danger. Stories of tragic deaths keep even the bravest villagers away.

    Haunted Cabin, Anzali

20. Cursed Cemetery of Sefid Chah

  • Location: Mazandaran Province, near Galoogah city.

  • Why Visit: Unique for its white soil and upright tombstones engraved with both names and professions. Myths suggest bodies never decay, and a sealed, ancient box hidden there is believed to bring doom if removed.

    Cursed Cemetery of Sefid Chah

    Cursed Cemetery of Sefid Chah