This impressive bit of land in Herta Scotland was once home to an entire
village, back in the 1930s. However, due to political change in the region,
the citizens chose to leave and live somewhere else. In
August 1930, the last remaining inhabitants left resulting in this completely
deserted village. These stone homes now stand tall, unchanged, after 80
years. Many of them appear to be repairable, so who knows what the future stores
for Hirta.
These
dome homes were built on the coast of Marco Island in 1980. Originally
planned as vacation homes, they were hit by hurricanes - shifting coastlines
sent them into the water and now suffering from decay. Coastline agencies have
determined that they are too expensive to fix, leaving them abandoned. Today, it
is nearly impossible to find one of these dome homes that hasn't been left to
crumble into the ocean. Would you have liked to see these fully operational? We
think they would be amazing!
The
strange thing about this villa in Lake Como, Italy is the complete mystery
behind it. Locals understand that this villa was constructed in roughly the
1800s, but there are no records to indicate this. Rumors
state that the home was left alone after a gruesome murder or suicide -
but still, no one knows. Today, it is left largely alone and visitors are
advised to stay away from it. To us, it looks like the scene of a new horror
film!
Berlin
- in Nevada, not Germany! - became popular
in 1897 in the midst of a mining boom. Unfortunately, the industry never quite
took off and was essentially abandoned by 1911. No one stayed around to maintain
it or turn it into something else, so it hasn't changed all the way up until
today. At the time of
writing, it is part of Nevada State Park. Visitors can explore the area and see
what it looked more than 100 years ago.
Upon first glance, you'll be fooled into
thinking it's a picture painted on a canvas. It's actually a real photo of
Kolmanskop, Namibia. Founded in 1908, the town was formed after a man found a
diamond in the rough. Suddenly, many outsiders flocked to the area hoping to
strike it
rich. When no more diamonds turned up, villagers also exhausted all other rare
and natural resources. Everyone soon left, leaving the town abandoned by 1954.
No one visits it today.
This city opened its doors on February 4, 1970. Pripyat is situated near the
Belarus border and is a Soviet nuclear city. At the time, it was home to
many of the workers who commuted to Chernobyl. After the Chernobyl disaster in
1986, the entire city was evacuated due to the extremely high levels of
radiation. To this day, you are allowed to visit - but only with an escort and
you must have your radiation levels checked afterward. You have been warned!
Today, Kilchurn Castle is one of the most photographed castles in the world. It
was built in the 1400s and has sadly been left to decay since the 1700s. The
untouched estate attracts people from all over the world who marvel at its
incredible presence despite being neglected for 300 years. In its time, it
housed some of the most influential families and officials when they visited the
country. It's something we can imagine in the next James Bond film!
This small Turkish town sits 8km south of Fethiye in the Lycia province.
According to sources, its entire Indigenous population was moved to Greece after
being expelled by the Ottoman Empire. The town today is deserted - leaving 350
buildings completely empty and neglected since 1914. Moss and ivy have made them
home now, with no humans spending time there. It is unsure if Turkey has
plans to restore Kayakoy into a new town or to keep it how it is. What do
you think they should do with it?
The boat, the
SS Ayrfield, was constructed in 1911 in the UK. It was registered as an
Australian steam collier but became a Navy transport vessel in WWII for American
soldiers. It operated until 1972, when it was retired in Sydney along the
Homebush Bay. The bay is known specifically as a 'ship graveyard' and the SS
Ayrfield has a new life as host of a mangrove tree and lush greenery. Visitors
can observe it from a distance.
This monastery is almost 900 years old! It was built in 1192 inside of the Black
Forest of Germany and still stands tall today. Sadly, the church was struck by
lightning three times in a row during a particularly powerful storm. It was
burnt down and no one chose to rebuild it. If a church was struck three times,
we think it should be left alone! We wonder what happened inside it for someone
or something to strike it three times!
This temple sits 3.5 km northeast of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. After the demise of
the 17th-century empire, it was abandoned and has been left alone even to today.
Over the hundreds of years since its abandonment, the jungle has engulfed it and
claimed the temple as its new territory. Even though it is unused, locals
maintain it to make sure the powerful jungle doesn't completely destroy it.
Today, it is kept as a monument where people can explore it.
These sea forts were designed by Guy Maunsell and constructed in 1942.
Originally, they were situated on the Thames and Mersey, intended to protect the
UK during WWII. It was less than 10 years until all of these forts were shut
down and decommissioned. For a while, they were used by people to broadcast
illegal radio stations, but that also stopped in time. Today, they are entirely
empty - or is that what they want us to think?
During the Hundred Year War, a soldier built Bodiam Castle to protectEast
Sussex from the French. It served as a defensive castle throughout the medieval
times, but soldiers eventually left the castle. Today, it reminds visitors of
the rich history in Britain. Tourists simply cross a moat - yes, a moat -
and can journey through the building and witness the history. Although not
'abandoned', it is no longer used to protect the British from the French.
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