17 Unusual Urban Legends Behind the World’s Most Iconic Landmarks

5. The Phantom Ship Beneath the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower may be an icon of romance, but beneath its steel frame lurks a chilling legend. During its construction, workers reported phantom footsteps and ghostly figures lurking around the site. Some believed they were the spirits of doomed engineers who met tragic fates while working on the tower. But the eeriest tale involves a phantom ship seen floating along the Seine near the tower’s base. According to 19th-century folklore, Parisians claimed that seeing the ship was an omen of impending disaster. Oddly enough, the ship was reported before both World Wars—leading some to speculate that it is a harbinger of doom for France.