The village near Hogwarts where the Shrieking Shack is located is Hogsmeade. It is described as a wizarding village close to Hogwarts and the only settlement in Britain populated entirely by wizards and witches.
Hogsmeade contains familiar locations including the Three Broomsticks, Honeydukes, Zonko’s Joke Shop and the Hog’s Head Inn. Hogwarts students in their third year and above may visit the village on approved weekends, making it a major setting in the series.
The Shrieking Shack stands on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. It was secretly connected to Hogwarts by a passage beneath the Whomping Willow so Remus Lupin could transform into a werewolf away from other students. The noises from his transformations led villagers to believe the building was haunted.
A common mix-up is confusing Hogsmeade with Godric’s Hollow, another important wizarding location. Godric’s Hollow is associated with Harry’s family history, while Hogsmeade is the village beside Hogwarts.