Discover the haunted places in the city of São Paulo

Every place has an energy that will be passed on to anyone who steps into it. This energy comes from many different things, for example, important events in the place, people who lived or lived together, people who pass by and objects contained in the environment. These are some of the factors that make this exchange of energy and feeling happen in some places, as they end up touching some feelings.

However, putting it all together can be good or bad. It is precisely from this bad energy that the well-known term of “haunted” comes, as in the paranormal movies. In the city of São Paulo there are several places that are said to be haunted. We brought a list of the main ones and the stories behind. Look that:

Anhangabaú Valley (Cá Viaduct)

A large square in the center of the city that nowadays is the scene of parties, carnival revelries but also a “home” for the homeless, a stage for fights and the use of heavy illicit substances. The Anhangabaú Valley is seen as haunted since the arrival of the Portuguese in Brazil.

The story says that a river flowed there that took indigenous people and slaves to their death, especially after Europeans came to our country. The name “Vale do Anhangabaú” came from the Tupi-Guarani language and its meaning is “River of the Devil”. After the paving of the city and the construction of the viaduct, the square was the scene of several suicides by falling.

USP Law School (Largo São Francisco)

The building and land of the Faculty of Law of the University of São Paulo, which is located in Largo São Francisco, in the center of the city, is one more on the list of haunted places in our city. Before the building existed, it is said that the site had a monastery (home to monks and nuns) and that the bodies of some monks are buried under the property.

After the university was built, some things still make the place a bit bizarre. A confirmed fact is that the former professor Júlio Frank is buried there. Other rumors say that one of the students had an accident, dying on a skewer and even in the hallways you can hear posthumous students discussing politics.

Martinelli Building

The next famous haunted monument on our list is one of the most famous in the city, the Martinelli building.

The place, for being very old, has stories that impress and even scare a little. The first skyscraper in Latin America, with 26 floors, was the scene of many murders. The most famous of these took place in 1947. Davidson, a Jewish boy, was thrown down the elevator shaft after being sexually abused and strangled. Other deaths that happened in the building had repercussions and are surprising, such as that of Márcia, raped by five men and killed in one of the apartments.

They still say that there is a legend told by those who know the place for a long time that a faceless blonde usually walks through the corridors at night.

Municipal Theater

This is one of the most historic and ancient spaces in the city. In ancient days, the most diverse performances took place there. Rumors say that the spirits of the artists who had the honor of participating in these performances are still there. Employees have reported seeing lights turn on by themselves, musical instruments being played and even movements between the stage and the dressing room. All this without anyone, other than the employees being present at the theater.

Potato Square

One of the most popular and well-known environments in São Paulo. Located on Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, this is a square surrounded by funky bars known as Largo da Batata. An environment where people usually enjoy their afternoons and evenings drinking, smoking, skating and hanging out with friends. As the bars are located inside the square, it facilitates the movement and agglomeration of people.

Even with such a flashy environment, the square has some points that do not please everyone. When passing by, it is common to see young people of all ages using the most varied types of illicit substances. In addition, nowadays there are also brothels and brothels in different parts of the square.

What many do not know is the history of the place. A local legend says that a long time ago a cemetery was built that was the scene of events that brought a more charged energy to the environment. Some say that is why there is so much mental, emotional and physical confusion in the Potato Square. Things related to music, drugs, prostitution. Over the years, a train station was built and nowadays, Largo da Batata.

Consolação Cemetery

Built in 1858, the Consolação Cemetery is one of the oldest that still exists in São Paulo. There you’ll find tombs and crypts so grandiose they look like they’re from movies. However, the rumors and legends that surround the place make not everyone want to go there.

Popular sayings about the legend say that people who are no longer with us were seen walking through the corridors of the cemetery. From gravediggers and some famous ones like Monteiro Lobato and even Tarsila do Amaral, who is buried there. Still, there is a small tour that takes place for those who want to see the tombs of famous people who were also buried there.

In addition, other dead who were protagonists of famous cases also have their graves there. Like Dona Yayá, three relatives who were murdered in Castelo da Rua apa and some women who were thrown into the well where the Joelma Building is today.

Yaya’s house

This place was, for more than four decades, the home of Sebastiana de Mello Freire, known as Dona Yayá. She passed away in 1961, but in the time she was alive, she gave a lot to talk about. Dona Yayá was the sole heiress of one of the richest families in São Paulo at the time. In 1920, she was considered insane by a court decision and had to move to this house where she was receiving isolated psychiatric treatment, a “private asylum”.

Currently, the site has been transformed into a Cultural Preservation Center by the University of São Paulo (USP). However, legends say that the spirit of Dona Yayá resides there to this day.

Chapel of Santa Cruz dos Enforcados

Located in the Liberdade district. The history of this place begins in 1821, when a corporal asked for equal pay and better treatment for Brazilian soldiers. For that, he was sentenced to hang. However, on the day of his execution the rope broke twice but he still died. For those who were watching, this was a sign from heaven to show the innocence of man and so a cross was erected. After more than 65 years of the event, a chapel was built on the site.

Legends say that the soul and spirit of the cape are still in the church and that’s why the chapel was called the church of souls.