A. P. Sylvia

Trolls Near Seljalandsfoss - Locations of Lore Folklore holds that, near Seljalandsfoss, a troll woman was repelled by the sound of church bells while trying to cross a gorge.

While visiting a waterfall in Iceland, I learned about a local troll legend.
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This Sat. night, we’re sinking our teeth into centuries of vampire legends w/ special guest A.P. Sylvia — author of Vampires of Lore — and researcher of legends, mythology & some of the more unusual & spooky destination locations out there.

7pm CST @ www.youtube.com/live/vqRGr_1...

#Vampire

+++ 'Bram' Stoker, the author of Dracula, was born on this day, the 8th of November 1847, in Dublin. +++

Tonight in Whitby, we will be raising a glass of the red stuff! V''''V

#bramstoker #dracula #gothichorror #otd

The Old Manse - a historic house built in 1770.

Happy Halloween!

Enjoyed giving a talk about vampire folklore last week.

A photo of a forest path with a standing stone in the distance, taken at America's Stonehenge.

As the summer now fades into fall, I wish you all a happy autumnal equinox.

Reynisdrangar: The Trolls of Vík - Locations of Lore According to legend, the rock formations rising out of the sea by Vik, Iceland are actually trolls who were turned to stone.

Let's go troll hunting in Iceland!
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The Mystery of America’s Stonehenge - Locations of Lore America’s Stonehenge is a site in Salem, NH, that’s filled with mysterious stonework. Its origins have been debated for years.

With the #solstice arriving, my thoughts turn to mysterious alignments of stones:
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Pour one out (or three) for the unholy trinity of horror: Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, and Christopher Lee — all born within two days of each other. Cushing on May 26 (aka Dracula Day!), and both Price and Lee on May 27. Horror royalty, all lined up like it was fate. #mutantfam

A first edition of the novel Dracula

A photograph of Bram Stoker

A section of Bram Stoker's notes where the name Wampyr is crossed out and replaced with Dracula

Today is #WorldDraculaDay because Bram Stoker's classic novel was first published #onthisday in 1897. It's also worth remembering that if Stoker hadn't come across the name Dracula in a book while researching in a LIBRARY the main character was going to be called Count Wampyr. 🧛‍♂️

V'''''V TODAY, THE 26TH MAY 2025, IS WORLD DRACULA DAY! V'''''V

World Dracula Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the publication of Bram Stoker's iconic novel Dracula, which was published on this date in 1897.

#Dracula #WorldDraculaDay #worlddraculaday2025 #bramstoker #whitby #otd #vampire

Paranormal Insight- Vampire Lore with Paranormal Insight with Tim Sudano welcomes A.P. Sylvia YouTube video by Paranormal Insight

Check out my recent conversation with Tim Sudano on Paranormal Insight, talking about #vampire #folklore!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fcf...

The Remnants of Rocky Point Amusement Park - Locations of Lore Rocky Point Park was once a popular amusement park and today some remnants of that former existence remain for those who look.

Looking for the last remnants of Rocky Point Amusement Park in Warwick, RI. It was a beloved summertime destination that welcomed its last guests in the 1990s. What remains of it today?
locationsoflore.com/2025/05/03/r...

The Druid Hill Stone Circle of Lowell - Locations of Lore The Druid Hill Stone Circle sits in a park in Lowell, MA. Does it have ancient origins or is it a modern construction?

In my latest post, I turn my gaze back to #NewEngland. In Lowell, MA, sits an enigmatic arrangement of standing stones known as the Druid Hill Stone Circle. Did a 1985 archeological dig reveal its origins?

#standingstones #archeology #stonecircle

Link:
locationsoflore.com/2025/04/08/d...

Medfield's Abandoned Insane Asylum - Locations of Lore Nestled among trees and fields, you’ll find the abandoned Medfield State Hospital. Dating back to 1896, visitors can walk among its aging buildings.

The aging buildings of the #abandoned Medfield State Hospital campus sit silently along tree-lined roads. There's an eerie feeling at times - an aura that has not gone unnoticed by Hollywood.
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40. Vampires | Phantom History Author A.P. Sylvia is an expert in vampire folklore and provides a window into how people have interpreted vampires in the past to the present. Steve and Tim talk with A.P. about everything from Sesam...

No reflections. Stakes. Garlic. Vampire Lore is everywhere in popular media, but those traditions, stories and tropes had to start from somewhere. Author A.P. Sylvia @locationsoflore.com literally wrote the book on vampire origins phantomhistory.com/conjuring/40... #vampires #paranormal #podcast

The Northern Point of the Bermuda Triangle - Locations of Lore My visit to the Bermuda Triangle's northern point. I examine a bit of history, find landmarks, and head out onto those mysterious waters.

The notion of the Bermuda Triangle, as we think of it today, emerged from newspaper articles from the mid-20th century. However, the waters around Bermuda had an ominous reputation centuries earlier. Let's talk about the norther point of the Bermuda Triangle:
locationsoflore.com/2025/03/18/n...

Hammond Castle - Locations of Lore In Gloucester, MA, you'll find Hammond Castle - a Medieval-style castle containing relics of the Old World and maybe even a few ghosts.

A haunted castle in New England, built by an eccentric inventor - it sounds like a movie premise, but it's real. Filled with history, artifacts, and maybe some spirits, Hammond Castle is quite the destination. locationsoflore.com/2018/08/08/h...

The Vampire Case of Sarah Tillinghast - Locations of Lore In a small cemetery in Rhode Island lies the body a Sarah Tillinghast - a young woman who, in death, was believed to be a vampire.

After Sarah Tillinghast passed away in 1799, it was believed that she was visiting her family in the night and causing dire illness. Fear gripped the community and they took to the cemetery to look for vampiric signs.
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Yantic Cemetery and the Blue Lady - Locations of Lore In the Yantic Cemetery in Norwich, Connecticut, you'll find elaborate tombstones, towering monuments, and a mysterious woman shrouded in blue.

In Yantic Cemetery, there is a mysterious bronze figure known as the Blue Lady. According to legend, depending on when you visit, the statue will be holding something different in her hand.
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Iceland’s Christmas Trolls: Grýla and the Yule Lads - Locations of Lore Grýla, the Yule Lads, and the Yule Cat are Iceland's traditional Christmas characters. Some may be brings, but they can also be ominous.

While many are familiar with Santa, Iceland has different Yuletide visitors. The 13 Yule Lads may cause mischief, but they can also leave gifts. Their troll mother, Grýla, on the other hand, is apt to cook the naughty in her stew.
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The Legendary Origins of Stonehenge - Locations of Lore An exploration of the legends surrounding Stonehenge as well as a discussion of what modern research has shown.

Happy Yule! The winter solstice is upon us - a day of special significance at certain ancient sites.
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Vampires YouTube video by Phantom History

Had a great time talking about #vampire #folklore with Tim and Steve from @phantom-history.bsky.social. Check out our conversation here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEe4...

Looking forward to talking about #vampire #folklore this Wednesday at 7pm ET!

The Elves of Iceland - Locations of Lore An exploration of the elves of Iceland, from Norse mythology to folkloric traditions, including a visit to the Elf Capital.

In #Iceland, elves are often referred to as #huldufólk (hidden folk). Unlike the tiny toymakers of Santa's workshop, the #elves of Norse #mythology are human-sized and "fairer than the sun" - no doubt influential to Tolkien's work.

Let's explore #elf #folklore:
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Krampus in Witch City - Locations of Lore In Salem MA, also known as Witch City, I attended a Yuletide tour led by none other Krampus, that devilish December visitor of European folklore.

Happy #Krampusnacht!
Let’s take a look back when I went on a walking tour of #Salem led by #Krampus!

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The Vampire Case of Mercy Brown - Locations of Lore In a quiet graveyard in rural Rhode Island, you can find the grave of New England’s last suspected vampire, Mercy Lena Brown

Mercy Brown was New England's last suspected #vampire. After she passed away in January 1892, it was believed she was the cause of her brother's dire illness. In March of that year, some neighbors gathered in the #cemetery to investigate the matter. #folklore
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Locations of Lore Exploring the strange sites of New England and beyond with A. P. Sylvia.

Curious to learn about the legends and folklore behind some interesting places - some famous, some off the beaten path? Check out my website:
locationsoflore.com