The Duran Sanatorium was founded by Dr. Carlos Duran in 1915 and operated as a hospital for tuberculosis patients and as an asylum for the mentally ill.
The mountains in Cartago near the Irazu Volcano with its fresh, cold air was considered as optimal for those suffering from consumption.
In 1963 when tuberculosis was no longer an issue and the mentally ill could be treated in bigger, more humane hospitals the Sanatorium closed.
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Afterwards it was operated for a while first as an orphanage and later as a prison. In 1973, when the building got seriously damaged by the eruption of the nearby Irazu volcano, the Duran Sanatorium shut down permanently.
But did all residents really leave the sanatorium?
The people of the nearby city Cartago tell about spooky experiences. They tell about shadowy images, chills, sounds of ghost children playing, blood colored child-sized hand prints on the walls, and even coins being tossed out of patients’ rooms and ghosts in and around the Duran Sanatorium.
The most reported story is about the ghost of a nun who is said to have been a caretaker in the hospital. She has white hair and is wearing a blue dress.
She has been seen walking along the creepy, long corridors and peeking out of the windows. Another story is about a little girl that is said to be the daughter of Dr. Carlos Duran.
She was supposedly infected with tuberculosis while she was living at the Sanatorium and passed away. People have seen her on the roof or the steps of the building where she lived with the Doctor.
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A long time ago it was possible to camp in the Sanatorium. Would you ever consider sleeping in a place like this? Or did you maybe do it already? I want to know, what was the creepiest place you have been to?
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Tim Kroeger is a seasoned professional in International Tourism Management, specializing in Luxury Adventure Travel, Luxury Hotel Reviews, and Tourism in Costa Rica.
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Mareike Wielens is a highly experienced and passionate Tourism in Costa Rica expert with over 10 years of experience in the travel industry.
She is the CEO of Emotional Travel, a Costa Rica travel agency specializing in well-being and mental health vacations, but also designs tailormade roundtrips in Costa Rica.
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