All Episodes

August 10, 2023 23 mins
On the island of Britain, between the Atlantic ocean and the North Sea, lies a haunted castle. Okay, yes—technically there are probably a bunch of haunted castles on -this- island. We’re looking for Alnwick Castle in Northumberland in northern UK, in particular.

Alnwick castle (parts of which were founded in 1096) has a peculiar bamboo labyrinth in “Alnwick Gardens” that was created from 500 live, evergreen and yet perennial bamboo grasses. Bamboo is part of the grass family Poaceae. The jumbo sized grassy bamboo reaches up and over the paved pathways creating a natural arch and tunnel-like walkway. The shaded corridors wander, and upcoming tunnels await your visit in shadow.

Google images of the labyrinth at Alnwick castle do indeed confirm the dark corridors. But the labyrinth is not the darkest part of the Alnwick Gardens—And I’m being, -deadly- serious...

Once upon a time, when lace up roller skates, feathered hair, and bubble gum were hip, there were two guys that didn’t see eye to eye. Stephen, a university educated storyteller and author. And Stanley who never darkened the door of film school, telling stories from books and making popular acclaimed movies—his way, with generous creative changes, one of which you may recognize, 

The book “The Shining” by Stephen King was published in January of 1977–and please note: this is your spoiler alert at least in regards to the Shining labyrinth...

Do you have any stories from your studio, art class, gallery or museum? Or about art that falls into the realm of spooky art or art history stories or art hauntings? Send your suggestion, story, or say hello At whisperingcontact@gmail.com

Please comment or say hello on Instagram! It’s always great to hear from you! If you’d like to purchase a Whispering Gallery skull pin visit the Etsy store at:  etsy.com/shop/SuzanneNikolaisenArt

The writing and production of the Whispering Gallery podcast - and copyright are held by Suzanne Nikolaisen.

If you would like to support the podcast and the books I’m buying for research visit buymeacoffee.com/suznikart to help cover the cost of books, audio and our podcast host. Look for us on Instagram @whisperinggallerypodcast

You can join the Whispering Gallery at https://www.facebook.com/whisperinggallerystories/
Spooky, supernatural, unexplained, paranormal art

The Whispering Gallery podcast explores spooky, spine-tingling and hard-to-believe art stories; including cursed paintings and gems, paintings and prints of monsters, hauntings, UFOs and more. We look at art history a little differently.

Learn about the spooky side of art guided by artists from around the world, and throughout history. Suzanne Nikolaisen sparks your imagination with spine-tingling and hard-to-believe art stories that are best told after dark.

Subscribe to join our community of spooky art fans! Please share an episode you love with a friend! Remember to keep your flashlight close, and your spooky art stories closer!

Many thanks to the following resources for my research and the production of this episode:

Photo Source: Creative Commons License https://art.thewalters.org/detail/2191/theseus-and-the-minotaur-2/
Theseus and the Minotaur, sculpture (terracotta), by Arnold Seligmann, French, 18th century

https://audioboom.com/channels/5015282-the-whispering-gallery
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nandi_(Hinduism)
wikipedia.org 
Drone snap, Crete Greece agar by drone 4k YouTube 
https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/museo-gregoriano-egizio/sala-v--statuario/statua-antropomorfa-del-dio-apis.html bull headed statue of Apis Egyptian god, manifestation of Ptah. https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/collex/exhibits/discovery-collection-memory-oriental-institute-100/human-headed-winged-bull/#:~:text=The%20lamassu%20is%20a%20mythological,the%20iconography%20of%20these%20figures.
.css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Cardiac Cowboys

Cardiac Cowboys

The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.

The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.