The White Lady of Kórnik
In a Polish castle, a noblewoman in white is said to step out of her portrait at midnight and walk the halls.
What was reported
Kórnik Castle, near Poznań, is a romantic, rebuilt castle surrounded by a moat and a famous arboretum. Its best-known resident is Teofila Działyńska, an 18th-century owner who rebuilt the castle and planted its gardens. Her portrait, showing her in a white dress, hangs inside.
People say she leaves the painting at midnight and wanders the castle and the park. Some say she's looking for a young woman to marry her descendants; others say she simply checks on her home.
Explanations offered
White ladies are told about in castles across Europe, often tied to a famous portrait. There are no recorded investigations. The castle is a museum and library and plays up its White Lady with an annual event.
- When
- Told since the 18th century
- Where
- Kórnik Castle, Greater Poland, Poland
- Witnesses
- Castle staff and visitors
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.
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