On a hill, overlooking the village of Domstadt, Germany, there's a castle.

It's in ruins now, only two towers and a chapel remain intact.

The rest is just crumbling rock, arches that lead to nowhere, windows without glass.

But more than 300 years ago, in the 1600s, this castle was home to the von Frankenstein

family.

And on August 10th, in 1673, a child was born here, a child who would grow up to become

a wild, brilliant, even dangerous experimenter, what you might today, all a mad scientist.

I'm Dylan Therese, and this is Alice Obscura, a celebration of the world's strange, incredible,

and terrifying places.

Who visit the real castle Frankenstein and meet the actual mad scientist who was born there?

A man of science, who sought to create a man after his own image, without reckoning

upon God.

He is one of the strangest tales ever told.

Who learn about alchemy, powders, potions, poisons, and will hear the story of one man's

quest for enlightenment, to conquer life and death.

I think it will thrill you.

Welcome to Halloween Week, on Atlas Obscura, our first spooky episode after this.

It might even horrify.

Okay, a quick refresher on the story of Frankenstein.

So in the book, there is a scientist named Dr. Frankenstein.

Yes, yes, it's the doctor, not the monster.

I think everyone knows that by now, anyway, Dr. Frankenstein becomes obsessed with the

...