IT looks like an apocalyptic afterlife, but there can a stunning beauty in abandoned places once nature reclaims what was hers all along.
Time stands still, devoid of any human presence, yet the essence of what once thrived endures.
These forsaken locations serve as poignant reminders of the consequences of neglect – offering glimpses into a potential fate for the cherished spaces we frequent if they are left forgotten.
Though weathered by the passage of time, the following places retain a haunting allure and this is our pick of the most stunning abandoned places across the world that we could find.
Explore these captivating tales of dilapidation as we unveil some of the world’s most enchanting abandoned places, each with its own compelling backstory.
Kennecott, Alaska
Covered in mist and surrounded by dense autumn foliage in the Alaskan wilderness, the Kennecott Mines and its neighbouring town evoke an eerie atmosphere since it was abandoned over 70 years ago.
The town of Kennecott thrived with copper miners and their families until the late 1930s when dwindling resources led to a mass exodus of residents—save for a lone family of three.
By the 1950s, the town was completely deserted as the caretaking family also departed, leaving behind a haunting legacy.
Rummu Prison, Estonia
Dive right into this partially submerged prison with a dark history.
Once a place where prisoners toiled in the quarry, this facility was abandoned in the early 1990s following Estonia’s liberation from the Soviet Union.
With no human upkeep, the site succumbed to flooding, transforming into an unconventional beach, but one which now has the tourists flocking to.
The spot is a popular dive location and it even has an inflatable water park, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and canoeing.
Who knew prison could be so much fun?
Maunsell Army Sea Forts, England
Built to safeguard the shores of Kent from potential German attacks during World War II, these forts played a crucial defensive role.
Decommissioned in 1950, they later found a brief stint as pirate radio stations before eventually falling into abandonment.
There are ongoing plans to restore these forts, ensuring they are not lost to the ravages of time.
Michigan Central Station
Michigan Central Station, an architectural gem constructed in 1913, served as a bustling transportation station until its closure in 1988 due to the decline of rail travel.
The majestic Beaux-Arts structure subsequently was left to decay, becoming a poignant symbol of Detroit’s economic challenges.
Thankfully though in 2018, Ford Motor Company acquired the station with ambitious plans for restoration.
This marked a pivotal moment in Detroit’s revitalisation journey, with Ford envisioning the station as a centre for innovation, particularly in autonomous and electric vehicle development.
Aniva Rock Lighthouse, Russia
Aniva Rock Lighthouse is a distinctive structure located on Aniva Rock, a small island in the Sea of Okhotsk, near the southern tip of Sakhalin Island in Russia.
The lighthouse was constructed by the Japanese in 1939 during their occupation of southern Sakhalin.
Its unique architecture reflects a blend of Japanese and Soviet design influences, and the lighthouse served a crucial role in guiding ships safely through the treacherous waters below.
Since the end of World War II, Aniva Rock Lighthouse has been under Russian control, and the lighthouse stands as a testament to the region’s complex history, bearing witness to the territorial shifts between Japan and the Soviet Union.
It was finally abandoned in 2006, but the area remains a popular tourist attraction.
The Neptune Baths, Romania
Once hailed as ‘the most beautiful resort on the continent’ by Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph in 1852, this intricate site bore witness to a bygone era of opulence.
Abandoned in the aftermath of the 1989 Romanian Revolution the building is now considered as one of the Seven Most Endangered Monuments and Heritage Sites in Europe.
Curon, Italy
It’s quite unusual to spot a 14th-century bell tower protruding from the centre of a lake, but this wasn’t accidental.
In 1950, the Italian government made a controversial decision to intentionally flood the village of Curon, forming a manmade lake.
The only remaining structure is this tower, serving as a poignant reminder of the community that once thrived in this location.
Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track
The abandoned Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track, once a proud symbol of Yugoslavia’s hosting of the 1984 Winter Olympics, now stands as a haunting testament to the enduring impacts of war and conflict.
Located on Trebević Mountain near Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the track bore witness to the joy and spirit of international competition during the Olympics.
However, the Bosnian War in the 1990s left the region scarred, and the bobsleigh track, along with other Olympic facilities, was abandoned and left to decay.
The skeletal remains of the track, covered in vibrant graffiti, have gained a second life as an unconventional canvas for urban exploration and street art.
Adventurous visitors, drawn by the eerie beauty of the structure, have turned the site into a unique destination.
And some people still want to use it like a bobsleigh like this absolute certified nutter.
Ho Thuy Tien Waterpark, Vietnam
Ho Thuy Tien Waterpark, situated near Huếin central Vietnam, remains a poignant symbol of unrealised dreams and financial setbacks.
The waterpark, designed with a striking dragon-shaped structure as its centrepiece, was abandoned in 2006 before it could officially open due to reported financial issues and mismanagement.
The dragon’s head looms over an unfinished pool, creating a surreal landscape that has become a magnet for urban explorers and photographers seeking to capture the haunting beauty of decay.
