For one night only you are invited beyond the gates....
The Gothic Literary Castle Retreat
An Exclusive & Intimate Overnight Experience
Do You Dare?
Rising from the historic streets of Cleveland, Franklin Castle is widely known as one of the most haunted homes in America—a looming Victorian stone mansion steeped in tragedy, mystery, and myth. Built in the 1880s by German banker Hannes Tiedemann, the castle’s grand turrets, hidden passages, and shadowed corridors have long fueled stories of restless spirits and strange happenings. Some believe that the castle resonates as an amplification chamber or portal, thanks to its esoteric inner proportions built by Cudell & Richardson using the Golden Number theory - an enduring formula traced back to the Greeks and Romans.
For one night only—October 10—you are invited beyond the gates for an exclusive, intimate gothic retreat unlike anything else. We are renting the entire castle for a private gathering limited to just eight guests, creating a rare opportunity to experience this legendary space in its most immersive form. The evening will unfold as a curated journey into the gothic including activities such as:
A Guided Tour Through the Castle's Haunted History
As you move from room to room, you’ll uncover the tragic histories, whispered sightings, and eerie details that have made this mansion one of the most infamous haunted sites in America.
Evocative Storytelling Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe
Experience the haunting power of gothic literature through intimate, candlelit readings inspired by Edgar Allan Poe. Performed in true salon style, these dramatic recitations and reenactments bring dark verse chillingly to life within the castle’s shadowed walls.
Tarot and Aperitifs
An intimate tarot experience set against the candlelit atmosphere of the castle, offering quiet moments of reflection, insight, and intrigue. The evening is complemented by a refined aperitif hour, with thoughtfully curated cocktails and mocktails designed to be savored slowly.
Our Common Read
Our Common Read for the event will be And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. The book will be mailed out to castle guests upon sign-up so that they will have ample time to read it before our night together.
And Then There Were None follows ten strangers who are invited to a secluded island under mysterious circumstances, each arriving with little in common except a vague connection to their unknown host. Once gathered, they discover their host is absent—and that each of them is hiding something from their past. As tension builds, an unsettling sense of unease takes hold, heightened by the island’s isolation and a chilling nursery rhyme that seems to mirror unfolding events. Cut off from the outside world, suspicion begins to turn inward as trust erodes among the group. What begins as an intriguing gathering quickly becomes a psychological descent into fear, guilt, and the unknown.
“Some invitations are not meant to be ignored.”
Eight guests. One night. A house that remembers.
Meet Your Hosts
Hi! We’re Kristina and Amy (and the lady in the middle - we have no idea...haha)
Amy brings a deep appreciation for storytelling and language to the retreat, with a background rooted in education and literacy. Her work reflects a sensitivity to tone and meaning, making her especially attuned to the layered, psychological elements of gothic literature and helping shape an experience that feels both immersive and intellectually rich.
Kristina brings a deeply creative and intuitive approach to the retreat. Drawn to the intersection of story, space, and mood, Kristina creates experiences that feel both immersive and quietly transformative. Her work is rooted in a love of the written word, the symbolic, and the beautifully strange and her vision creates an experience that feels both transportive and thoughtfully curated.
Kristina, you are one magical maven! You are a rare and precious being! You are a supernova of bright energy and inspiration. Thank you and keep up the good work, the great work, your calling and craft! You are the usher and seamstress of this fabric in the great sisterhood of moon goddesses and wild women everywhere!
Melissa H.
"Wicked smart and endlessly articulate, Amy has a gift for creating experiences that draw people in and keep them meaningfully engaged."
Gina S.
Will You Be One of the Eight?
experiences + accommodations
Retreat Investment - $400 USD
Payment by card: $412 USD
(Prefer to avoid fees? Reach out for bank transfer options)
The castle holds four shared beds: two full beds, one queen, and one king. Each bed is shared by two guests, designed for those willing to trade solitude for the experience of the retreat. See FAQs for more info.
Click the button below to arrive at a secure payment portal and start the next phase of your gothic adventure. Please note that once submitted, payment is non-refundable.
FAQs
Do you dare?
Let's Find Out!
Claim your place before the gates close
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