The Princess Theatre is a one of a kind rare architectural beauty situated in Melbourne Australia. Being a monument that holds immense prestige, it is listed by the National Trust of Australia, and has even found a place for itself in the Victorian Heritage Register. It was erected in the year 1854 by the famous enterprising actor George Coppin. Coppin’s name was a part of many other ventures too in the city, which included his ownership of the Iron Pot, along with the installation of gas lights into the famous Astley’s amphitheatre.

Looking at the site where the Princess Theatre stands today, it is actually the second building. The first was Astley’s Amphitheatre, which was also built in 1854. It was actually named after the magnificent Astley Royal Amphitheatre, which is located near Westminster Bridge, London.  Astley’s had a unique structure with a central ring for equestrian type of entertainment performances, along with a stage at one end for dramatic activities. It was in 1857, that this amphitheatre was renovated, and the Princess theatre was opened along with the opening of the Opera House as well.

There is a very beautiful Victorian feel to the theatre which was created and renovated by the best of architects and artists. The building when completed was known to have the world’s first retractable or sliding kind of roof and ceiling. Also, the stage lighting was done in an impeccable manner, and was quite impressive. From time to time, the owners of the theatre of changed, and each of them have renovated and reopened it with great performances or dramas. In this respect, the Princess Theatre is known to have its audience some of the finest dramas and other kinds of performances.

Over the years, there have been some ghost stories developing about the Princess Theatre. In 1888, one of the performers of a play had died during the middle of it, and since then many claim to have seen a ghostly figure in an evening dress in the theatre. For many years, the third-row seat in the dress circle of the theatre had been kept vacant in the artist’s honour.

Now, the theatre is used for many international musical productions. Some of the finest entertainment and performing companies come here with their shows. The Princess Theatre, Melbourne has an amazingly large seating capacity of 1488, which clearly indicates the level and magnitude of the kind of performances that happen here, and how the response from the audience is to such shows. People going to Melbourne always make it a point to visit this beautiful building, which for years has stood unbeatable and undisputed in its magnificence.

Finding love in today’s world can be a difficult job for most people. Every youngster wishes for the perfect partner. Adults look for an understanding life ahead. Even when they do find the one, there are many small problems that plague a relationship. It takes a lot to make a good love come to life and that is something everybody looks for. For this reason, many cultures have created a point of gathering for people to talk about their problems and solve them as well.

When in Hong Kong, those seeking respite from their love and marital problems will discover that Lovers’ Rock may be just the thing they need. Situated in Hong Kong, on Bowen Road, this rock stands close to 30 feet high and is said to possess magical powers. This rock is well respected by the local crowd that visits it almost everyday to absorb some of its power. Decorated with oriental red and beautifully crafted drapes, it becomes the focal point of a festival held in honour of its magical powers. Better known as the Maiden’s Festival, it is held each year in the month of August at Lovers’ Rock. During the festival, young unmarried girls pray for good fortune in their forthcoming lives as well as a suitable husband.

Other than the rituals of the unmarried girls, tourists can visit the soothsayers and palm readers that congregate at the rock. For a small sum, they will read into your life in the coming future. Special days associated with the Lovers’ Rock are the sixth, sixteenth and twenty sixth day of the Chinese Lunar calendar. On these days offerings consisting of lotus flowers, joss sticks and devotional items are presented to appease the gods. A simple and appealing day trip to the Lovers’ Rock will be the choice of many families especially during the festival season. It is a chance to see the real local culture as well.

The Lovers’ Rock is a major tourist attraction in Hong Kong and is said to attract many visitors each day. It provides a beautiful view of the Wan Chai Gap Road as well the tropical jungle surroundings of the area. It has many scenic stretches that one can relax and gaze at. You can reach the Rock by taking the Wan Chai Gap Road that leads to Bowen Road and then the main tourist area. Otherwise, you can catch Bus 15 from City Hall directly to Bowen Road. The Lovers’ Rock area makes for a nice day trip with the family and is a child friendly area. One can even take a leisurely stroll down the Jogging Path on Bowen Road or simply take in the shady stretch of the road.

The Whaley House happens to be one of those few rare monuments that have a tendency to come into news every now and then. This is because of the various supernatural kinds of events that keep on happening here.

The Whaley House was actually a proper house, where a family once lived. Thomas Whaley, the youngest of the three Whaley brothers had built this house, and had moved in here with his wife. Strange events kept on happening in the lives of the couple, as well as of their children, both married and unmarried, such that many deaths happened inside the Whaley house. While there were members of the family who died of sickness, there were others who had even committed suicide. Thus, there came out a long list of family members who died inside the Whaley house, and there have been reports that ghosts of these dead members are often spotted. It is because of such reports, that the house has become one of the 30 haunted houses in the country.

The house was converted into a museum in May, 1960, and it today remains as one of the most famous tourist attractions. Any person visiting San Diego can miss out on something else, but cannot afford to miss out on the Whaley House. The house was built from bricks which were taken from the Whaley’s own brickyard, and they were the proud owners of this house, who claimed that it would be one of a kind, the most beautiful in the town. There is beautiful rosewood and mahogany furniture inside the house with damask drapes, Brussels carpets, and other beautiful luxurious items. Besides being the residence of the Whaley family, the building was also San Diego’s first commercial theatre, a county courthouse, and even a general store. The theatre was located in a bedroom upstairs, and had the seating capacity of up to 150. Moreover, the courtroom occupied 3 bedrooms in total.

Some believe that the Whaley House was haunted even before the Whaley family itself moved in. There are a lot of ghostly legends that are attached with this monument, and many TV channels and newspapers etc. have covered this monument, and given it different rankings in the list of the most haunted houses in the area. Visitors have claimed to see Anna Whaley, wife of Thomas Whaley’s ghost in the gardens of the house. It is also said that when the Whaley family had moved inside the house, they used to hear heavy footsteps, which they concluded to be something else.

Once every month, there are ghost hunting tours that are carried out in the Whaley house by the San Diego Ghost Hunters (SDGH).

The Whaley House Haunted? You decide!

Out of all the majestic architectural delights that one can find in the city of London, the Tower of London in UK is the most attractive. This place is actually Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, which was historically known as The Tower. It is one of the oldest buildings, which is said to be used by the British government. Situated on the North bank of the river Thames, the eastern edge of The Tower of London has an open space called Tower Hill, which separates the monument from the main city of London.

William the Conqueror had during his reign built the Norman White Tower, which stands at the centre of The Tower of London. It was built adjacent to the Thames in a way that it protects the Normans from the people living in the city of London. At the same time, it would protect London from the sudden invasions by outsiders. The person appointed as the architect for this Norman White Tower was Gundulf, who was the Bishop of Rochester. Stone imported from France, known as Caen stone, along with Kentish rag stone was used to build this beautiful edifice. Legend says that the mortar that was used for this monument was tempered with the blood of beasts.

During the reign of Henry III, the tower was transformed into the royal residence, and more palatial buildings were constructed in the surrounding area. This whole area is commonly referred to as the Inmost Ward. Both the White Tower and the Inmost Ward are situated in what is known as the Inner Ward. There is huge curtain wall that acts as the defensive element for the Inner Ward. When Henry III had wanted to extend the area, the city wall of the east was broken down. Many citizens had protested, and there were supernatural warnings too that were given. However, nothing stopped the process, and today, there are a total of 13 towers in the extended circuit.

There is an Outer Ward too in the Tower of London, UK , which has five towers facing the river. There is main water entrance to the tower, which is known as the Traitor’s Gate. Apart from these, there is also the western entrance and the moat.

The entire monument has a long historical account attached to it, especially one that related to prisoners. There are stories and tales of executions and tortures attached with the Tower of London, and for that matter, prisoners have lived and survived here in various conditions.

Recent history and news has suggested about ghosts residing in the monument. The Crown jewels have been kept in the Tower of London, after they were stolen from the Westminster Abbey.

Tower of London Ghost Stories