In 1863, blood seeped from under the door of 716 Dauphine Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter. What police found inside was one of the most brutal mass murders in American history—an entire household hacked to pieces, and a wealthy Turkish nobleman buried alive in his own courtyard.

This isn’t the LaLaurie mansion. This isn’t Marie Laveau. This is the true story of the Sultan’s Palace massacre—a case of international revenge, Ottoman assassins, and a crime so violent it still haunts New Orleans today.

We dive deep into the documented police reports, explore theories about stolen treasure and royal theft, and examine over 150 years of paranormal activity reported at this location. From phantom music and exotic incense to apparitions on the balcony, 716 Dauphine Street remains one of the French Quarter’s most actively haunted—and least known—locations.

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References & Resources

Historical Sources:

∙ New Orleans Police Department Records, 1863 (Louisiana State Archives)

∙ “The Times-Picayune” historical archives, 1863-1865

∙ “Historic New Orleans Collection” - French Quarter property records

∙ Federal occupation records, New Orleans Civil War period

Books:

∙ Haunted New Orleans: Southern Spirits, Garden District Ghosts, and Vampire Venues by Colin Dickey

∙ The Ghosts of New Orleans by Troy Taylor

∙ New Orleans Ghosts, Voodoo, and Vampires by Kalila Katherina Smith

Additional Research:

∙ French Quarter historical walking tour documentation

∙ Dauphine Street property deed transfers (New Orleans Notarial Archives)

∙ Ottoman Empire historical records regarding missing nobility (limited availability)

∙ Contemporary tenant accounts and paranormal investigation reports (various online sources, 1990s-present)

Note: Some specific details of the massacre vary between sources due to sensationalized reporting common in the 1860s. This episode prioritizes documented police records and corroborated accounts.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​