Haunted Castle – Lütjens
Two storeys of scares and a façade with a history
Operator: Hans Lütjens & Sohn (Netherlands) · since 2014
Haunted Castle Lütjens is a travelling ghost train with a history spanning several European fairgrounds and different designs. Built by Barbisan, the ride takes passengers through a two-storey world of scares. The ride in the car is not the only highlight: the experience also includes an area with walk-through and obstacle-course elements before you board. This means the excitement begins before the actual ride. The Dutch showman Lütjens presents the attraction as a combination of a classic ghost train and a walk-through spooky setting.
Learn more – pick a topic:
What to expect
- Dark ride / indoor
- Fog & special effects
- Light show / LED facade
Highlights & records
A two-storey ghost train with walk-through and obstacle-course elements beforehand, plus a redesigned façade.
The combination of a ghost train and walk-through sections makes for a varied spooky experience – the changing façades also tell a story.
The ride experience at Haunted Castle Lütjens
The façade alone makes it clear what kind of atmosphere to expect. Moving figures, dark motifs and striking lighting are designed to arouse your curiosity while also inspiring a little respect. After making your way through the entrance elements, you climb into a car and travel through scenes featuring changing lights, sounds and figures that suddenly appear. The route spans several levels; along the way, parts of the structure are also visible from the outside.
The appeal lies less in the speed than in the staging. You never know which figure is waiting around the next corner. The combination of dark interiors and brief transitions into brighter areas changes how you perceive the effects. If you enjoy ghost trains for their façades and classic illusion techniques, you’ll find plenty of details here.
Video
General
- Manufacturer
- Barbisan (Italy)
- Model
- Power 2-storey ghost train
- Year built
- 1990
- Original name
- Fantasmagor
- Also known as
- Ghost Train
Ride
- Height
- 11 m
Vehicles & capacity
- Gondolas
- 5
- Riders per gondola
- 4
Set-up & transport
- Footprint
- 24 × 10 m
- Power rating
- 40 kW
History of Haunted Castle Lütjens
The Barbisan ride was built in 1990 and initially travelled with the Italian operator Lazzari. It then travelled in Germany with Rico Rasch & Söhne under the name “Fantasmagor”. In 2014, it went to Lütjens and became known as Haunted Castle. A major refurbishment in 2025 brought a new façade design and the name “Ghost Train”. Among other changes, parts of the tower structure were refurbished and its appearance was altered.
The different names therefore do not describe separate rides, but different phases in the development of the same attraction. This distinction is important when comparing older footage: the front may look different even though you are looking at the same physical ghost train. It should not be confused with the ghost train “Zombie”, also operated by Lütjens, which is a separate attraction.
Timeline
From 2014 under Lütjens as Haunted Castle. 2025 extensive redesign of the façade and extension of one part of the tower; afterwards also referred to as Ghost Train.
- Operator
- Hans Lütjens & Sohn (Netherlands)
- With operator since
- 2014
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
Previous operators
Lazzari (Italy, until 2007); Rico Rasch & Söhne (Germany, 2008–2013)
Who is the spooky ride suitable for?
Haunted Castle is for people looking for a classic ghost train with an added movement experience. The walking sections make the visit a little more varied than a ride entirely in a carriage. At the same time, the scares may feel very intense for sensitive children. So follow the staff’s guidance on age, supervision and using the obstacles. The right choice depends not only on age, but also on how well someone copes with darkness and unexpected effects.
As a spectator, you can already discover a lot at the front. For more attractions with unusual designs, take a look at our attractions overview.
Upcoming funfair dates
Ride Haunted Castle – Lütjens live
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