Fremantle Arts Centre: between art and ghosts (11 photos)

Imagine a building that has gone from a madhouse to an art center. It has housed madmen, soldiers, students… And perhaps the souls of those who once did not leave its walls alive still remain there.





This is the Fremantle Arts Centre, a majestic Gothic building in Fremantle, Western Australia, built in 1867. The story of this place is like a Stephen King novel, but with elements of real, not fictional horror.

From a Madhouse to an Art Space



The building was originally built as a psychiatric hospital and a home for the disabled. The work was done by prisoners from Fremantle Prison, which was also the most terrible prison in Australia at the time.

From the very beginning, everything went wrong: instead of ten patients, there were up to 20 people in one room. The institution was overcrowded. Patients suffered from sunstroke, opium and alcohol addiction. There were also elderly people there who simply had nowhere to go.





At the beginning of the 20th century, the building was already considered overcrowded and outdated. But before the authorities could change the situation, a real disaster occurred.

In 1900, a patient was murdered at the asylum. A woman named Mrs. Clifford was found bloody in her room - the unfortunate woman had been brutally beaten. Three days later, the woman died. And soon after, one of the patients hanged himself in front of everyone, despite the fact that he was supposedly under supervision. It also emerged that one of the nurses had been pricking patients with hat pins at night to keep them awake.



The public scandal forced the authorities to investigate. Only then were a qualified doctor and psychiatrist appointed to the facility.



British criminal Moondyne Joe

By the way, one of the "guests" of this place was the famous Australian rebel Moondyne Joe - a former bushranger (robber), who escaped from prison three times. In 1900, he ended up in this very shelter, where he ended his days - sick and forgotten by everyone.

A Home for the Poor and a School for Maternity



When all the patients were transferred to a new hospital in 1908, the building became a home for poor women. Then it became the first school of midwifery in Western Australia. But even here, things were not so rosy: young girls suffering from venereal diseases were locked up on the upper floors.

When the truth was revealed, there was no limit to the public outrage, and in 1941 the building was closed.

During World War II, it came to life again - this time as an American submarine base. American sailors lived and worked here after being evacuated from the Philippines. After the war, the building fell silent again... but only temporarily.

Unexpected Salvation



It seemed that this was it - now this building would definitely be torn down. But in 1958, the Mayor of Fremantle, Sir Frederick Samson, decided that such a place could not be destroyed. He wanted to turn it into a maritime museum and cultural centre.

And in 1973, the Fremantle Arts Centre was born, which still exists today. Today, it is a popular place for artists, galleries and creative events. But…

Ghosts Inside



Even when it was a military base, American sailors complained of strange rustling sounds, cold air currents, and voices coming from empty rooms. After the opening of the art center, these incidents only became more frequent.

Visitors report that the doors often open on their own, and sobs and screams can be heard inside, so sad and muffled, as if they were coming from the depths of centuries.



Some people feel as if invisible hands are touching them. There are even those who felt a kiss on the cheek, although no one was nearby. The ghost of an old woman has been seen in the corridors many times.

One of the famous psychics in Australia claimed that he encountered the spirit of a guard or a nurse in this building. When he entered one of the rooms, the temperature dropped sharply, and the smell of burning flesh became so strong that it made him vomit. Later, he learned that it was in this room that electroshock therapy was performed.



Another ghost is a woman, lost and sad. She is seen in different parts of the building. According to legend, she ended up in the shelter because her child was kidnapped. She threw herself out of the window and died. They say that sometimes a child’s cry can be heard in that very room.

Modern: Art... and a little fear



Today, the Fremantle Arts Centre is one of the most beloved places in Western Australia. It hosts exhibitions, festivals, classes and concerts. But sometimes in the corner of the hall you can feel a cold that no one can explain. Sometimes the lights flicker for no reason, and sometimes someone feels a gaze on their back, which is not really there.

So if you decide to visit this place, take with you not only a camera... but also a little courage.