Is the ghost of a global opera superstar haunting her private Welsh castle? Or is something even stranger at work at Craig-y-Nos?
What happens when the world’s greatest diva builds a fairytale home in the Swansea valley… and never quite leaves? Can a song recorded over a century ago still stir the spirits? And what really lurks beneath the stage of one of Wales’s most iconic haunted houses?
In this very special fifth anniversary episode of the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast, author and journalist Mark Rees returns to a place unlike any other — a place that’s played host to royalty, paranormal TV crews, and more than its fair share of mysterious happenings.
This isn’t just any haunted mansion—it’s Craig-y-Nos, the lavish Gothic retreat of 19th-century superstar Adelina Patti, whose presence, if the stories are to be believed, still echoes through its abandoned wings and beneath its crumbling stage.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
- A chilling dive into the history of Craig-y-Nos: from opera house to tuberculosis ward
- Paranormal encounters experienced first-hand by Mark and his (initially sceptical) companions
- Ghostly music, mysterious disappearances, and flying objects in the darkness
- The true story behind those eerie recordings… and why playing Patti’s most famous song might not be the best idea
Whether you’re intrigued by Welsh ghosts, haunted theatres, or the intersection of art, history and the supernatural, this episode promises a rare glimpse into a location that is legendary in folklore circles – and highly active in the paranormal world.
The Diva, the Dead and the Dark History of Craig-y-Nos
It’s no surprise that paranormal TV shows make a beeline for Craig-y-Nos Castle. With a backstory this rich – international fame, scandalous love affairs and real documented suffering from its time as a TB hospital – there’s more than one ghost said to roam its halls. But while the TV cameras caught a glimpse, this episode goes deeper.
What does a folklorist hear when alone beneath the stage at midnight? What unspeakable event left a hardened sceptic mute with fear? And why does Patti’s ghost react so violently to her own music?
These are the questions only Ghosts and Folklore of Wales dares to ask – and attempt to answer.
Press play to find out, or download from your favourite podcast provider… if you dare! đź‘»
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Discover more Welsh Ghosts and Folklore
Obsessed with haunted legends and spine-tingling tales from Wales?
Explore the full library of books by Mark Rees, where eerie folklore meets real-life ghost stories.
From chilling true accounts in Paranormal Wales to Victorian reports retold in Ghosts of Wales, each book uncovers the darker side of Welsh history and supernatural belief.
Available from your favourite bookstores—online and off: Browse the collection here.
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