Isabella Mueller Baroness of Stainton le Vale
Off the coast of Trondheim in Norway lies the mysterious island of Munkholmen—a place steeped in history and shrouded in mystery. This seemingly peaceful place has a dark past that continues to fascinate locals and visitors alike. From its beginnings as a monastery to its transformation into a fortress, a prison, and even an anti-aircraft gun station during World War II, Munkholmen has experienced centuries of turmoil and change. But perhaps the most frightening aspect of this island’s heritage is the legend of the ghostly monks who are said to haunt its ancient ruins.
Munkholmen, which means “monk island,” originally served as a Benedictine monastery in the Middle Ages. The island was a place of prayer and reflection where monks devoted their lives to religious contemplation. However, legends tell of a dark undercurrent beneath this pious facade. According to local lore, a sect of renegade monks secretly practiced forbidden rituals in the chambers of the island. These monks, who had been expelled from their religious community, dabbled in the occult and summoned beings from unknown realms.
The tranquility of the island was shattered when these sinister rituals came to light. The renegade monks were banished, but not before a terrible curse was placed on Munkholmen. Rumor has it that this curse binds their souls to the island for all eternity, forcing them to wander the ruins as shadowy apparitions, forever seeking redemption for their unholy deeds.
Today, Munkholmen is a haunting and eerie testament to its ghostly past. The remains of the monastery, now overgrown with ivy and moss, are a popular destination for those brave enough to visit. On certain nights, especially when the moon bathes the island in an ethereal light, the ghostly figures of the monks can be seen floating through the ruins. Witnesses report hearing soft, melodic chants carried on the cool breeze—an otherworldly choir that sends shivers down the spine.
Various sources indicate that these ghostly monks are not alone. Rumor has it that other restless spirits inhabit Munkholmen, including prisoners who lost their lives during the island’s time as a bleak fortress and prison. One particularly harrowing story tells of a prisoner known only as Magnus, whose desperate cries for mercy echo through the corridors on stormy nights. Accused of heresy, Magnus was brutally tortured in the now-ruined dungeons of Munkholmen, and his tormented soul is forever bound to the place of his suffering.
During World War II, German occupation forces in Norway recognized the strategic value of Munkholmen’s location and converted the island into an anti-aircraft station to protect themselves from Allied bombing raids. The soldiers stationed there reported strange occurrences—inexplicable equipment malfunctions, eerie whispers in abandoned bunkers, and inexplicable cold spots that sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest men. In his diary, one soldier describes a terrifying encounter with what he describes as “flickering shadows in monk’s robes.” The war ended, but the ghostly echoes of this turbulent time still seem to linger.
Today’s residents of Trondheim often speak in hushed tones about the ghostly monks and other spirits of Munkholmen. Local paranormal investigators have frequently visited the island, using state-of-the-art equipment to try to document these ghostly apparitions. Some have recorded EVP (electronic voice phenomena), including faint Latin chants and disembodied voices speaking Norwegian and German. Infrared cameras and thermal imaging cameras have revealed shadowy figures and unexplained cold spots, further cementing Munkholmen’s reputation as a haunted place.
Despite—or perhaps because of—its reputation as a haunted place, Munkholmen attracts countless visitors every year who are eager to uncover its secrets. Guided tours delve into the island’s rich history, with guides recounting stories of monastic life, the cruel conditions endured by prisoners, and the war effort. However, the story that resonates most deeply is that of the cursed monks, whose ghostly presence continues to haunt Munkholmen.
For those seeking an encounter with the supernatural, Munkholmen offers an unparalleled experience. When the tour ends and the boat takes visitors back to the mainland, many can’t help but glance back over their shoulders at the receding island, half expecting to see the silhouette of a monk standing solemnly on the shore. The legend of the ghostly monks of Munkholmen lives on, a spooky testament to the island’s storied and haunted past.
So if you venture to Trondheim, be sure to visit Munkholmen. But be careful, because the whispers of the past are still very much alive, and the ghostly monks may come out to greet you.
