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Erasmus Castle, popularly known as “Die Spookhuis” (Afrikaans for The Ghost House), is one of South Africa’s most talked-about abandoned mansions. It stands near Mooikloof, east of Pretoria (Tshwane), close to the N1 highway. While it is widely associated with ghost stories and urban legends, the site’s documented history is rooted in real people, unfinished ambition, and decades of neglect, rather than proven paranormal activity. The castle was commissioned in the late 19th century (around the 1890s) by George Heys, a wealthy transport rider and businessman during the South African Republic period. Heys intended to build a grand residence for his family, inspired by European castle architecture. Unlike typical farmhouses of the region, the structure featured stone walls, towers, arched windows, and ornate design elements, making it highly unusual for its rural setting at the time. However, the castle was never completed. Historical accounts suggest that construction stalled due to a c...