Berengaria hotel, a majestic building that silently stands in Prodomos, the highest village in Cyprus, was once the most luxurious hotel in Cyprus, served as a haven for royals and other titled guests. The hotel was named after Queen Berengaria, wife of Richard the Lionheart, who were married there. However, mysterious deaths, screams and other strange apparitions appearing in the hotel, all combine to create a horrifying conundrum.
The hotel was built in 1930 by a resident of Prodromos village, Mr. Kokkalos, who gathered the available funds, borrowed some money from friends and invested in the construction of a luxury hotel that was developing quickly. In the middle of the twentieth century Berengaria hotel was at its peak: locals came here for the weekend, while hundreds of Europeans fled here from the hot beaches of the island, enjoying breakfast leisurely soaking up the views of the Troodos mountain range.
From Dawn to Decadence
According to legend, the hotel owner had three sons. Before his death, he left the business to his three sons to share equally. However, upon his death, the sons, driven by jealousy, greed, and pride ran down the hotel. Subsequently, all three of them died under mysterious circumstances. For instance, the eldest of the brothers, they say, threw himself over the bridge, when faced with serious financial problems. Locals also believe that his father avenged him and his beloved “Berengaria” brothers for their unfulfilled promise. This, together with other stories including that of a manager who committed suicide at the hotel added to the conversation around the village that the hotel was haunted. Some people claimed to have seen shadows through the shattered windows and heard screams and cries.
Additionally, another story holds that two female ghosts roam the hotel. One of them was found dead in the swimming pool, and it’s said she still hangs around trying to avenge her death. The other is that of a young woman with black raven hair who is seen at the hotel dressed in white linen, and can allegedly be seen leaning against one of the windows at sunset. Another myth says that inside the hotel there was a fresco, depicting the dance of hell and that, whoever saw it, would be doomed for the rest of his life. All these stories have now made the hotel a place sought after visitors that still having a lust for the thrill of this location.
The hotel has been abandoned for more than 30 years. At this point, the question still remains: Will the majestic hotel be able to open once again its doors to welcome guests from around the world? Until then, the hotel is covered by a gloomy veil of mystery, remaining a hot spot for adventure junkies.
