15 Most Terrifying Vampires in Global Folklore, Ranked

In German folklore, the Alp is a creature believed to cause the feeling of being trapped during a nightmare. It was thought to sit on people’s chests while they slept, draining their life force. Alps were considered shape-shifters, often appearing as animals like cats, dogs, or snakes, or even as small men wearing special cloaks. People traditionally tried to ward them off by placing objects like brooms, shoes, or knives near the bed, or by turning their pillows. This creature is also linked to the experience of feeling unable to move or breathe while sleeping, which folklore explained as the Alp’s doing.








