Beautiful Abandoned Locations All Over the World That Have Their Own Charm

By: Lilli Keeve | Published: Nov 02, 2023

There are countless locations around the globe that have been abandoned over time. These lost locations and possessions include amusement parks, houses, and all sorts of vehicles that make you wonder what happened to them all.

With every abandoned spot, there is an endless amount of history and intrigue left behind as structures and monuments fall into ruin. However, there is also an eerie type of beauty to these forgotten places. Let’s explore some of these fascinating abandoned structures.

Impressive Autumn Scenery in Germany

What an incredible photo, right? When the sun shines on this 19th-century bridge in Germany, it casts a ring of light across the lake below, creating a stunning reflection. It’s especially lovely in the autumn, but it’s also a magnificent sight year-round. 

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Source: Pinterest

Picture yourself paddling beside your beloved in a tiny boat or canoe in this romantic setting. This place would make a stunning painting or puzzle, to name just a couple of ideas. It resembles a Thomas Kincaid puzzle; however, completing it would require turning it 90 degrees.

This Abandoned Victorian Home in San Francisco

This charming but abandoned Victorian home is pinned between two modern-style buildings. You can just imagine a novelist or an artist staying here and staring out the window while they work. They would likely have observed passers-by while sipping coffee or tea in the mornings or afternoons.

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Source: Pinterest

It is likely that on weekends, they would walk outside and take care of the small yard and the beautiful flowers that grow throughout the spring and summer. For some reason, the opening music for the movie Up comes to mind!

The Old Helensburgh Railway Tunnel in Australia

Seven tunnels were constructed between Waterfall and Otford in the 1880s to offer a route across the mountainous terrain. A new double road was built at another site, and this one was closed in 1920 when a single lane was no longer sufficient for the steam engines.

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Source: Pinterest

Legends abound about this and other tunnels in the area, adding to the mystique and aesthetic appeal. Visitors were permitted access to the tunnel until it was vandalized. They were told to bring their flashlights and muck boots because it was expected to be a muddy experience. The glow worms brighten up the area in the dark.

Christ of the Abyss at San Fruttuoso, Italy

You can find extraordinary things deep in the ocean. This unique bronze figure is one of three sculpted and set in the sea, and it depicts Christ delivering a peace benediction while looking up toward the heavens. The first statue was erected in 1954 in Italy.

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Source: Reddit

It is located near the spot where Dario Gonzatti, the first Italian to utilize scuba equipment, died in 1947. A considerable amount of corrosion and crustaceans necessitated its removal and restoration in 2003. It was returned to the water in July 2004 after a lengthy restoration process.

Virginia's Abandoned Selma Estate

In the past, the Selma estate was a vibrant social hub. Due to the unfortunate deaths of the original owners, the property has passed through many different hands. The original mansion was once destroyed by fire, but it was renovated and brought back to life by a new owner. 

Source: Reddit

When it was finally abandoned for good, nature took over the house. It now features damaged flooring, mold-infested walls, and even birds nesting in it. Not only did the last owners leave the house, but they also abandoned a grand piano inside. Thankfully, a new owner began repairs in 2016.

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An Abandoned Store in Fukushima

Following a devastating earthquake and tsunami, this store is just one of many businesses and residences that have been left in ruins. More than 300,000 people were forced to flee their homes after the infamous natural disaster struck the region in March 2011. 

Source: Reddit

Nuclear reactors were damaged in the earthquake that led to the evacuation of the entire city of Fukushima. The city has become a ghost town in the aftermath of the nuclear disaster. The people had to evacuate quickly, leaving their lives behind, seeking temporary shelter, and preparing to start anew.

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A Hauntingly Beautiful Cottage in Stradbally, Ireland

This stunning cottage can be found near Stradbally, Ireland. It was presumably built in the 19th or 20th century, and it is surrounded by a beautiful yellow forest. Those gorgeous blue shingles are a one-of-a-kind sight. It’s a beautiful spot to visit if you want to get away from it all.

Source: Pinterest

Even if you yearn to live like a hermit, this cottage is not a viable option for a permanent residence. After a while, the forest’s echoes would get a little unnerving. If you’re just planning a little weekend break, this could be an intriguing locale to add a sense of mystery to your adventure.

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Michigan Central Station in Detroit

Though construction concluded in 1913, this station was already in use before it was finished. When World War I began, more than 200 trains were departing each day from the railway station. After World War II, it was utilized mainly by the armed forces, and its popularity dwindled as people began to rely on vehicles.

Source: Reddit

It closed in 1988, and since then, local officials have been in discussions regarding how to best utilize the structure. Ford Motor Company bought the building in 2018 after the previous owners made minor improvements. The company has significant plans for the establishment, including developing autonomous vehicles.

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A VW Bug in an Underwater Museum in Cancun, Mexico

There is an underwater museum in Cancun where you may see this waterlogged Bug. This is an excellent spot to check out if you enjoy scuba diving or snorkeling. As an alternative to diving and snorkeling, glass-bottom boats are available for individuals who would rather stay dry. 

Source: Pinterest

Seeing all those underwater sculptures would be a truly breathtaking experience. Over 500 sculptures are on display. This unique sculpture is a full-size copy of the classic Volkswagen Beetle, and it now harbors marine life and provides entertainment for divers.

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This Abandoned Yellow House in Nova Scotia

This photo of an abandoned yellow house looks like it belongs in an old Alfred Hitchcock thriller like The Birds. You’d have to be a big fan of yellow to live there, with the dandelions and the home both being bedecked in that oh-so-bright hue.

Source: Reddit

The local economy was likely to blame for the abandonment of this house. Several towns in Nova Scotia lacked the capacity to grow, and as a result, when the children grew up and moved away in search of a better life, there was no one to take over the homes that their parents left behind.

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The Swallow's Nest Castle in Ukraine

The Swallow’s Nest, a stunning “ice” fortress located in southern Ukraine, overlooks the Cape Ai-Todor of the Black Sea. It resembles the ice palace from Frozen. In reality, the castle is perched on the top of the Aurora Cliff.

Source: Reddit

Though it appears to be sturdy, it would still be a little nerve-wracking to be inside of it. When it was erected in 1911, it was owned by an oil magnate. Before that, in 1895, a wooden cottage known as “The Castle of Love” stood there.

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This Police Motorcycle Graveyard (Harley-Davidson)

Peruvian police once owned these Harley-Davidsons while they were stationed in Lima. They were removed from the market due to operational or maintenance issues. Since local Harley dealers and parts suppliers were unavailable, many of these motorcycles were bought in bulk by enthusiasts desperate to get their hands on spare parts.

Source: Reddit

Of course, they were in such disrepair that it took many of these wrecks to make one good bike. Still, the deal could work out. People who bought them and made a good one might sell it for $12,000.

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The Remains of the Abandoned Six Flags in New Orleans, USA

After Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans on August 25, 2005, this Six Flags amusement park remained closed as a sad memory of that terrible day. No one in America, or probably the entire world, will ever forget the horrific events of that storm and the days that followed. 

Source: Pinterest

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many parts of New Orleans were abandoned. Since then, there have been numerous discussions about what to do with the Six Flags, but every plan to rebuild it has failed.

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A Fishing House on a German Lake

This abandoned fishing cabin in Berchtesgaden National Park, Germany, is located in a magnificent alpine location. It was constructed on the shores of Obersee Lake. Unfortunately, it was left empty and alone. There is no record of who owns the property. 

Source: Reddit

Most likely, it was once a popular fishing spot for locals who wanted to go away and enjoy the peace and quiet of the highlands, only interrupted by the occasional echo of nearby wildlife as they fished for the elusive “big one.”

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An Abandoned Space Shuttle at the Baikonur Cosmodrome

This shuttle can be found at a covert, Russian-built location in Kazakhstan. During the Cold War, the West was unaware of this place. Yuri Gagarin, the first cosmonaut, was launched in April 1961 from Baikonur Cosmodrome. Only once did the “Buron” take to the skies in November of 1988.

Source: Reddit

Before the launch date, the cosmonauts performed 24 test runs on Earth, with 15 of those being automated. It was designed to carry six passengers or more but was “iced” in 1991 when the Communist regime was toppled. The country was divided into multiple republics, and this space shuttle was forgotten.

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A Deserted Church Blanketed by the Ash of Mount Sinabung

More and more houses and buildings around Mount Sinabung in Karo, Indonesia, have been abandoned during the past few years, including this church. When a new eruption occurred in June 2015, it caused the evacuation of thousands of people. Mount Sinabung’s surrounding slopes have proven to be dangerous for residents. 

Source: Reddit

Villagers have been forced to leave everything behind – including their houses and means of sustenance – and seek sanctuary in refugee camps. Despite the dangers and eruptions, many will return to their community with a strong desire to rebuild their lives.

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A Russian Shipwreck in the Red Sea

The “Russian Wreck” was one of countless disasters that occurred in the Red Sea, but this specific shipwreck appears to be one of the most famous. It was discovered in 1988, and it was initially thought to be a fishing vessel called the Khanka.

Source: Pinterest

It is widely assumed that the Russians employed fishing vessels in order to perform covert surveillance and communication. It was found to have an abundance of communication gear, including electronic devices and batteries, indicating that it was likely utilized as a spy vessel.

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An Abandoned Farm House in Ontario, Canada

This photograph of an ancient, abandoned farmhouse is a complete mystery. It’s strange to see wonderfully green grass in the middle of a forest of rotting trees in Canada. However, who would take meticulous care of their lawn while completely neglecting their home?

Source: Pinterest

The neglect of the house has caused it to fall into ruin. Although there are many unanswered concerns, it is an intriguing portrait to frame and exhibit in your home or art gallery. The storm lurking over its shoulder adds an extra hint of mystery to the house.

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Pittsburgh's Abandoned Railroad Bridge

You can find abandoned railroad bridges like this all over Pennsylvania. Due to the widespread adoption of vehicles as a mode of transportation, many of these structures were abandoned. Traveling by rail went from being the norm to a rare occurrence.

Source: Pinterest

Many of these train bridges were abandoned in favor of new means of transportation, and with no funds going into maintaining them, they withered away and became useless. Some were also damaged, and repairing them would have been prohibitively expensive.

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IM Cooling Tower – Belgium’s Old Power Station

This coal-fired power plant was one of the biggest in Belgium when it was built in 1921. By 1977, it had become Charleroi’s primary source of energy. It was able to chill 480,000 gallons of water every minute.

Source: Pinterest

People eventually found that the facility was responsible for 10% of Belgium’s total carbon dioxide emissions. Protests by Greenpeace led to the plant’s closure in 2007. Since then, security guards have been put in place due to metal thieves stealing from the site.

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Abandoned Castle in Ireland built in 1586

McDermott’s castle is located in Roscommon, Ireland, on an island in Lough Key’s southeast corner. Since the 12th century, the island has been home to the castle shown in the image below. In 1184, a lightning bolt started a fire, and few people survived.

Source: Pinterest

King Conchobar mac Diarmata and a small group of his followers made it. Another fortress was built, but the McDermotts lost the island and abandoned it in 1586. In 2014, the castle and island were featured in a television show called Moone Boy.

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Milnerton, South Africa – Home to an Abandoned Bug

Why would someone discard such a precious car? We can only assume that the “Love Bug” did not deliver what they expected. Or maybe the owner was acting on a dare and drove it onto the beach, where it got stranded in the sand.

Source: Reddit

Look at the background, and you’ll notice a blazing fire or a bubbling volcano. It looks like the former owners had to flee for their lives, so they left the bug when they panicked and became stuck in the sand.

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Pencho Semov's Abandoned Home in Bulgaria

Pencho Semov, Bulgaria’s first billionaire, was known as the “Bulgarian Rockefeller.” He grew up in a village near Gabrovo, Bulgaria, and made his way up the economic ladder by trading, banking, and other means. Two years before his death, he drafted a will specifying that his mansion would be converted into a retirement home.

Source: Reddit

Semov also stipulated that two other buildings he owned must be converted to girls’ boarding schools. One was to be free for the poor, and the other should come with a nominal fee for the wealthy. Sadly, when he died in 1945, his desires were not carried out.

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A Partially Sunken Ship in Roatan, Honduras

Many people believe that the Dixon Cove Wreck in the 1970s was partly caused by a hurricane that forced the ship into the channel and left it trapped. Trying to salvage the vessel, the crew unloaded the cargo, which pillagers later recovered. 

Source: Pinterest

Other stories from locals suggest that the ship was abandoned along with another vessel that also sank in the same area. Some people believe both ships were involved in the Nicaraguan Revolution. With all these stories floating around, it seems the truth is less likely to surface than the ships!

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Lucy the Elephant Hotel in New Jersey

This strange building was initially known as Elephant Bazaar – a six-story structure styled like an elephant and first constructed in 1881. The howdah (the elephant’s seat) featured a set of spiral stairs leading up to it. The structure was utilized as a tavern, and Lucy had to deal with numerous tragedies, including a fire. 

Source: Pinterest

After decades of neglect, the city deemed it unsafe and planned to demolish it in 1960. When a new developer wanted Lucy gone, a committee was created to save her. She is now completely restored and functional again.

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This Abandoned Roller Coaster in Nara Dreamland, Japan

This is one of several abandoned roller coasters in Japan. Despite the fact that this abandoned theme park was meant to be demolished, you can still see the antique coaster glowing in the distance. This rusted roller coaster has earned the moniker “Screw Coaster” – an entirely appropriate name given its appearance. 

Source: Reddit

Nara Dreamland attempted to be the next Disneyland. However, due to a lack of funding, the park chose fewer fascinating characters than Disneyland when creating their park. Aska, a wooden roller coaster in Nara Dreamland, is another famous abandoned structure on the site. It’s a terrific place to obtain a bird’s-eye view of the park.

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This Abandoned Hotel in Colombia

This was once a magnificent hotel encircled by the breathtaking Colombian mountains. Anyone who stayed there would tell you it was an excellent and stately place. This beautiful spot, perched precariously above a thundering waterfall, was ideal for a relaxing getaway. 

Source: Pinterest

However, the Bogota River became contaminated with industrial garbage, bringing all of this to an unfortunate end. When it came to dealing with this type of situation, the appropriate authorities made few attempts at coming up with a viable solution. A lack of customers eventually forced the hotel to shut down for good.

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Abandoned Military Vehicles at the Chatillon Car Graveyard in Belgium

Chatillon is a small town in Southern Belgium. In the past, these vehicles belonged to soldiers from the United States. It was too expensive to bring all of the soldiers’ automobiles back with them when the war ended, so they had to leave them behind when they went home.

Source: Pinterest

The commanding officers decided to abandon them in the country and parked them all on a secluded hill. It was up to each soldier to decide if they wanted their car delivered home at their expense. Clearly, few of them chose to keep their vehicles.

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Shipwrecks off Moreton Island, Queensland, Australia

Rusted antique boats rest in the beautiful blue-green waters that surround this beautiful island. As it turns out, these wrecks were deliberately sunk off the coast of Moreton Island to provide a secure haven for smaller boats. 

Source: Reddit

This is why they are arranged the way they are. These historic vessels were decommissioned steam dredges and barges from 1963. They put these historic wrecks into the water at the request of a party of boat owners, creating a harbor that shelters them during rough weather.

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Towards the outskirts of Kazan City, a TU-144 supersonic passenger jet has been abandoned in the yard. This is just one of many sites and objects that have been abandoned or demolished worldwide for various reasons. 

Source: Reddit

Why would anyone want to keep a TU-144 supersonic passenger airplane in their backyard where it can never serve its purpose? Somebody seems to have been working hard to conceal it. However, neighbors and passers-by noticed it. After that, photographers and videographers, some using drones, started turning up. You really can find the strangest things in people’s backyards.

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Abandoned Dome Houses in Southwest Florida

Bob Lee, a former oil producer from Cape Romano, Florida, constructed these odd houses in 1980. They were a sight to behold before hurricanes ravaged them soon after they were first built. 

Source: Reddit

The solar-powered and self-sustaining nature of them was a bonus. They were purchased by John Tosto in 2005, just in time for Hurricane Wilma, which wreaked havoc on the domes and a portion of the coastline. Since the sea has taken over, they are no longer fit to serve as homes.

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The Oldest British Warship Lies in the Great Lakes in Ontario

The HMS Ontario sank in the Great Lakes in 1780. It was rediscovered in 2008 between Niagara and Rochester, New York. The ship was found to be largely intact, and it now holds the distinction of being the oldest British warship ever discovered.

Source: Reddit

The ship sank during a storm, killing roughly 130 sailors. Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville joined forces to look for lost ships 35 years ago, and eventually, they hunted this one down. It only took three years of dedicated searching for them to discover the HMS Ontario.

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This Ferris Wheel at an Abandoned Theme Park in Japan

At the now-defunct Kejonuma Leisure Land, which first opened in 1979, this massive Ferris Wheel and dozens of other attractions were enjoyed by guests from all over. More than 200,000 people a year came to spend time in the park.

Source: Reddit

Kejonuma Leisure Land offered various lodging options, including campsites and modest cottages for those who didn’t need luxury. There was a hotel nearby for those who weren’t so keen on the outdoors. This park’s owner closed down the property to the public in 2000.

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The Magnificent S.S. America Wreck in the Canary Islands

The S.S. America launched in 1940 and was primarily a passenger ship that went by various names until its accident in 1994. Two Nazi spies were on-board the ship in 1941 when the Navy was using it. As members of the Duquesne Spy Ring, they and 31 other spies were later convicted by the FBI. 

Source: Reddit

At the time, it was the most significant espionage conviction ever made in American history. The ship carried on for decades after this incident. However, in 1994, at the start of what was planned to be a 100-day expedition, the ship was caught up in a storm and ran aground just off the coast of the Canary Islands.

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A Church in Iceland

Young Icelandic couples flock to Búðakirkja, Iceland’s most popular wedding venue, for its stunning interior. As far as churches go, there aren’t many black and white ones. Found in Bir, Iceland, this chapel is situated adjacent to a beach and lava field, with a volcano in the distance. 

Source: Reddit

This church was erected in 1703, then demolished and rebuilt in 1987 after a campaign was launched to support its return. The first church’s bell and chalice, as well as an old graveyard, are still standing.

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Abandoned Gentzrode in Neuruppin, Brandenburg, Germany

Gentzrode may have been cursed because numerous well-thought-out ideas for this location fell apart. After moving to the estate, Carl von Diebitch’s son, Ludwig, planned a castle-like residence, complete with exquisite planted gardens and a family tomb. Although finished in 1876-1877, it cost significantly more than he intended.

Source: Pinterest

It then went through a series of owners, some of whom had it for less than a year. Poor soil quality thwarted one of the owners’ plans to grow sugar beets. While under Nazi control, it plummeted into ruins.

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A Crumbling Castle in Italy

In Italy, there are numerous deserted castles to discover. You can even purchase fully-restored castles or hunt for a bargain and restore it to its former glory. It is common to see a variety of decorations when exploring these abandoned palaces.

Source: Pinterest

Art covers the ceilings and walls of many Italian castles. The layouts and rooms of every castle are distinct, making each one unique. You can find winding stairs, balconies, and even secret passageways in several of them.

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Wheatfields Surround This Abandoned Oregon House

Numerous homes have been abandoned since Boyd, Oregon, was de-incorporated in 1955. Until recently, Boyd was a bustling community. In addition to poor wheat prices, the Great Depression significantly impacted the town’s downfall.

Source: Pinterest

Without a steady stream of customers, local businesses had little hope for survival. There are old decaying outhouses among the deserted homes and businesses. However, a dilapidated wooden grain elevator is still producing grain.

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An Abandoned Mining Settlement on Lake Superior's Silver Islet, Ontario, Canada

In 1845, a considerable amount of silver was found in this small village, but mining the silver was nearly impossible due to Lake Superior’s varying weather conditions and turbulence. For decades, the miners battled storms, tidal waves, and ice surges to no avail.

Source: Reddit

They ultimately succeeded in recovering $3 million worth of silver by erecting a barrier of rock and concrete. All activities halted in 1883 due to a shortage of funding for fuel to keep the furnaces and water-filled shafts running. This picture was taken in 1911.

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Bennett College (Formerly Halcyon Hall) in Millbrook, New York

When it was first built in 1890, Halcyon Hall was a five-story, two hundred-room luxury hotel catering to the privileged. Unfortunately, the hotel’s performance fell short of expectations, and it was forced to close in 1901. 

Source: Pinterest

In 1907, a New York teacher transferred her girl’s school there, turning it into Bennett College. As the number of coed colleges increased in the 1970s, it began to accrue debt and, as a result, went bankrupt in 1977, forcing its closure. Bennett College was demolished in 2014, despite being on the National Register of Historic Places.

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An Abandoned Home in Nebraska, USA

A photographer captured this image during a lightning storm in 2015. When he snapped the picture, he managed to capture an act of nature at just the right moment. The photographer had no idea how intense the lightning was going to get while he was sitting in his car taking these shots.

Source: Pinterest

There are no trees in sight, which raises the intriguing question of where the lightning might strike if it does come down in this area. Because of the dramatic sky in the background, it’s easy to forget that there’s an abandoned house right there.

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Maunsell Sea Forts In England

Even though these sea forts look like something straight out of an H.G. Wells novel, the looming metal towers in the Thames estuary were built to protect England during WWII from the German air raids. Decommissioned in the 1950s, the abandoned giant towers were used by pirate radio operators in the decades that followed. 

Source: Getty Images

One nearby fort is managed by the micronation Principality of Sealand, which can be safely witnessed from a boat or the shores of Shoebury East Beach on a clear, beautiful day. 

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Haludovo Palace Hotel In Croatia

This stunning hotel is not from our time, yet it’s hard to distinguish what era it is actually from. The state of its decay places it in the past, but the modernistic design and shapes make it feel futuristic. In the traditional style of Communist-era brutalist architecture, the hotel was built on the island of Krk in 1971. 

Source: Piranka/ Getty Images

It spent some of its prime decades hosting actors and world leaders who visited the former Yugoslavia. However, when war broke out in the 1990s, tourists stopped going, and the hotel’s last guests were there in 2001 before it closed its doors forever. Visitors can still go and appreciate the skeletal remains of a once-golden palace. 

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Fordlândia In Brazil

American industrialist Henry Ford had big plans to establish a rubber plantation right in the center of the Amazon rainforest in the 1920s. Securing a gigantic plot of land from the government of Brazil, he built a remarkable micro-city that had a power plant, hospital, golf course, and thousands of houses. He called it Fordlândia. 

Source: Paralaxis/ Getty Images

Fordlândia didn’t last long, however. Malaria, unproductive plants, and rioting workers all contributed to its eventual downfall. In 1945, the bizarre riverside establishment was sold back to Brazil. But, a lot of its original buildings are still standing (as well as the iconic water tower), and some travelers can explore the eerie ruins on Amazon tours. 

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The Former Fishing Village Of Houtouwan In China

Located about 87 miles southeast of Shanghai, Houtouwan used to be a fishing village on Shengshan Island. For several decades, it’s been a ghost town, but it’s not like all the others. Rather than being covered in rubble and dust, the buildings are almost all covered in ivy and lush vegetation. 

Source: Getty Images

Truly, the results are more incredible than they are devastating. Even though a large quantity of the village’s original residents moved inland during the early 1990s, some people still live on the island – they sell water to interested tourists and photographs. 

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The Great Train Graveyard In Bolivia

Uyuni, in Bolivia, is primarily known for its salt flats and red lakes, but there’s an unusual tourist attraction that’s even more intriguing. There exists a graveyard of abandoned and antique trains. 

Plans in the early 19th century were made to build more train tracks throughout the city as part of the intention to extend Uyuni’s transportation network. But, the project was halted due to technical difficulties and issues with indigenous locals.

Source: Getty Images

However, trains were still utilized to transport minerals to Pacific port cities, but the minerals petered out in the 1940s. The miners left and the equipment was just sitting abandoned in the desert. Salty winds and time have led to the corrosion of the trains, lending it the name of the Great Train Graveyard. 

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City Methodist Church In Indiana

Known for being the birthplace of Michael Jackson, Gary, Indiana, is also the site of one of the most beautiful and eeriest abandoned churches in the U.S. Initially built in 1926 from money donated by the U.S. Steel, the church is a marvelous sight with nine stories. It consists of gorgeous Gothic architecture, stone pillars, and stunning stained glass windows. 

Source: Kevin Key/ Getty Images

The steel industry would falter over the next several decades, which also resulted in Gary’s dwindling population. In 1975, the church was shut down. The church has been the home of some movie shoots, as well. 

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A Decaying Hospital In Poveglia, Italy

Located less than half a mile from the Venice canals, Poveglia Island was a quarantine zone for victims of the bubonic plague. It was also a storage place for Napoleon’s weapons and the eerie site of an early 20th-century mental institution. 

Source: Ray Harrington/ Unsplash

According to The Travel Channel, the asylum played a gruesome part in horrifying medical experiments. Finally, it closed its doors for good after a doctor thrust himself off the bell tower of the institution. Although it’s illegal to visit the island today, you can still see its remains and the decaying hospital nearby from the beaches of Lido. 

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Gereja Ayam (“Chicken Church”) In Indonesia

If by chance you are ever in the jungles of central Java, you may find this awesome, yet confusing dilapidated church: Gereja Ayam, also named the “Chicken Church.” Opening in the 1990s, its architect originally intended it to be in the shape of a dove, which clearly didn’t work out so well! 

Source: Getty Images

It’s been both a rehab center and a center for all religions to worship there. Sadly, the construction costs became unmanageable and the project (and building) were neglected in 2000. The church has since become quite a tourist destination, with its interior being adorned with murals and stunning views of the surrounding forest through the beak. There’s a small cafe selling treats near the tail feathers, too!

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Tianducheng, China’s Attempt At An Eiffel Tower

Contrary to what many might think, this is not a photo of Paris after an apocalypse. Located about 40 minutes from Hangzhou, this Tianducheng district in China is a mini replica of France’s capital. The failed yet ambitious attempt at real estate development was built in 2007, with its very own Champs-Elysees and 300-foot Eiffel Tower.

Source: Guillaume Payen/ Getty Images

China’s attempt, unfortunately, to recreate the magic of Paris failed. Only a few thousand people remain in the city, although the streets are usually empty. 

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Detroit’s Abandoned Michigan Theatre

The Michigan Theatre was built on the spot of Henry Ford’s first workshop in 1926. It was once home to a booming downtown Detroit with seven stories, 4,000 seats, and $5 million worth of construction. It closed in 1967 due to the big boom of suburban movie theaters and living room televisions. 

Source: Getty Images

The space, since then, has been a multipurpose one and was finally repurposed as a parking garage in the late 1970s. While the cathedral ceilings and frescoed walls of this once-grand playhouse aren’t as beautiful as they used to be, it’s sure way better than any average parking structure! 

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SS Ayrfield Shipwreck In Sydney, Australia

During the early 20th century, Homebush Bay was once Sydney’s industrial crossroads and was full of coal-transporting ships and oil. However, it’s unfortunate that the waters became toxic and contaminated, most likely because of coal and oil. It was a problem that was only solved after the commercial boom of the 2000 Olympics. 

Source: Duncan Struthers/ Getty Images

Nowadays, the area is a residential suburb, although you can still see some remnants of Homebush Bay’s industrial past. The SS Ayrfield remains the most well-known rusted abandoned freighter, which has been overtaken by incredible mangrove trees. 

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Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital In Germany

We can’t quite imagine a creepier hospital than this one in Germany. The story goes that between 1898 and 1930, the Beelitz-Heilstätten hospital was a tuberculosis sanatorium. Also, during World War I, it housed mustard gas and machine gun victims, including a young soldier, Adolf Hitler. 

Source: Larry Washburn/ Getty Images

Later on, the hospital became a major treatment center for Nazi soldiers in the midst of World War II and also became a Soviet military hospital from 1945 until the Berlin Wall came down. Some wards are used to this day as a neurological rehabilitation center, but most of the grounds have been abandoned. 

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An Old Mining Town In Kennecott, Alaska

From 1911 to 1930, about $200 million worth of copper was processed in Kennecott (in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park). It was a self-contained mining town, complete with a hospital, skating rink, tennis court, and dairy. A majority of the buildings, however, have been neglected for around 60 years, but some have deteriorated too much to be saved. 

Source: Wendy Olsen Photography/ Getty Images

In 1998, many of Kennecott’s buildings and lands were acquired by the National Park Service. The visitor center is even open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and the recreation hall is open to rent for events.   

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Rummu Prison In Estonia

Estonia’s semi-emerged Rummu Prison just might be the creepiest (yet oddly beautiful) of all the underwater sites around the world. Built by the Soviet Union in the 1940s, the prison was filled with inmates who were forced to work in the limestone quarry nearby. 

Source: Westend61/ Getty Images

In 1991, the jail was abandoned when Estonia achieved independence. The lack of supervision led the quarry to fill up with water at a rapid speed. The prison is now a popular beach, specifically for scuba divers who explore the submerged buildings and mining equipment that lies below the surface. 

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The Town Of Kolmanskop In Namibia

In 1908, Kolmanskop was once the go-to spot for diamond mining and extravagance, even though it may not look like it now. Once the well-to-do inhabitants of Kolmanskop discovered a host of more diamonds south of Kolmanslop, the town became desolate. 

Source: Gleb Tarro/ Getty Images

The town is now known for its famously eerie sand-filled houses, which have made several on-screen appearances, such as in Dust Devil (1993) and The King Is Alive (2000). This site is just another testament to the fascinating and intriguing beauty of abandoned places!

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