What is the most famous insane asylum in fiction?

The most famous one might be the story of the nurse. She used to take care of the most violent patients. One night, a patient attacked her and she died. Now, her ghost is often seen in the patient wards. She seems to be still doing her duty, checking on the beds and making sure the patients are okay, even in the afterlife.

There was a patient who was known for his incredible memory. He could recall every detail of his life before coming to the asylum. He would often tell the other patients and the staff about his adventures as a young man, and his stories became a source of entertainment and mystery in the asylum.

The most famous one might be that of the nurse who committed suicide in the asylum. Her apparition has been seen near the medicine storage area where she used to work. It's said that she still seems to be checking the medications, even in death.

I'd say 'The Bell Jar' is also very popular. Sylvia Plath's semi - autobiographical work has a lot of fans. It gives a very personal and poignant view of mental illness and the asylum environment. It's studied in many literature classes too. Another popular one is 'Girl, Interrupted'. It has a relatable narrative for those interested in the experiences within a mental institution.

There's also a story about a group of children's ghosts. It is said that some children were once held in the asylum for various reasons, and their spirits are now trapped there. Visitors have reported hearing the faint laughter and crying of children, as if they are still living in their own little, sad world within the asylum walls.

The legend of the haunted old asylum is also quite interesting. There were rumors that some asylums were haunted by the spirits of patients who had died there under tragic circumstances. People claimed to hear strange noises, see apparitions, and feel cold spots. Whether it was real or just the power of suggestion, it added an air of mystery to the old asylum stories.

In the short story 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the female protagonist is confined in an asylum - like room. Her slow descent into madness as she becomes obsessed with the wallpaper is a fascinating and disturbing exploration of the female psyche in a restrictive environment.

The idea of the people who were once in the asylum also adds to the terror. These were often people with mental illnesses, some of whom may have committed violent acts. In the stories, their presence or the remnants of their presence, like their screams still echoing in the halls or their handprints on the walls, is really frightening. Also, the fact that many asylums have a history of cruel treatments in the past makes the place seem even more haunted and scary.

The tale of the 'White Lady' is also well - known. She is often seen near the old chapel in the asylum. Legend has it that she was a patient who found solace in the chapel but met a tragic end. Now, she is said to appear as a white - clad figure, sometimes with a sad expression on her face. Many believe that she is still mourning her own death and the loss of her hope.

One sad story could be about patients who were wrongly committed. They might have been suffering from something treatable like depression but were locked away due to lack of understanding in the past. Their cries for help were ignored, and they lost years of their lives in a place that didn't really help them get better.