Change, they claim, is the only enduring thing in the world. And the same can be observed in ancient structures, metropolises, railway tracks, or even amusement parks throughout the globe. And some of these utterly dilapidated and deserted locations all over the world possess a phantom-like and spine-chilling essence linked to them.
Beneath all this grime and decay, there exist untold accounts associated with these deserted locations all over the world. Continue reading to acquire further knowledge concerning these forsaken places.
Deserted Buildings: Palaces and Manor Houses
1. Bannerman Castle, Pollepel Island, New York
Francis Bannerman VI constructed an immense storage facility subsequent to procuring surplus military equipment from the Spanish war. However, a significant part of the castle was obliterated due to a massive ammunition explosion in 1920. As a result, the remnants of the castle were forsaken.
2. Dundas Castle, New York
The refined New York castle was designed by architect Bradford L. Gilbert for his Scottish spouse – Anna Dundas. However, even before the completion of the structure, Gilbert passed away and Dundas confined herself to a sanatorium. Consequently, although no one had the opportunity to reside in it, there exist tales about the apparition of Dundas that wanders through the corridors of the forsaken castle.
3. Miranda Castle, Belgium
Count Liedekerke Beaufort, a Belgian political activist, was compelled to vacate his residence and relocate with his family to a neighboring property during the French Revolution. In 1866, the English architect Edward Milner was commissioned to construct a summer residence. Nevertheless, prior to the castle being finished, Milner passed away. Subsequently, the castle served as a camp for the Nazis during World War II, a vacation camp under the National Railway Company of Belgium, and an orphanage. Eventually, due to the exorbitant maintenance expenses, the castle was abandoned in 1991.
4. Kilchurn Castle, Scotland
Constructed in the mid-1400s, Kilchurn Castle has functioned as the residence for some of the most influential individuals in Scotland. However, despite its remarkable location, it was abandoned in the 1700s and remains solely as a premier spot for photography.
5. Bodiam Castle, England
Established in the 14th-century in East Sussex (England) with the purpose of defending the region against the French, the castle endured numerous wars before it was ultimately deserted. Presently, it stands as a sought-after attraction for tourists in England.
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6. Witley Court, Worcestershire, England
The Witley Court, a grand palace from the 19th century, was never able to fully recover its former magnificence after the devastating fire in 1937. Despite some restoration work on the vast estate, this once abandoned place is now open to tourists. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the gardens and admire the impressive Perseus and Andromeda fountain.
7. Dome Homes, Florida
Located a short distance off the coast of Marco Island in Cape Romano, Florida, the Dome Homes were originally constructed as vacation residences. However, due to a series of hurricanes and the gradual erosion of the coastline, these unique structures resembling alien spacecraft eventually became abandoned.
Abandoned Cities, Towns, and Villages
8. Craco, Italy
This small hill town in Basilicata, southern Italy, was established in 540 AD. However, the town’s location proved to be its downfall. Craco faced challenges such as poor agricultural conditions, a major landslide in 1963, a devastating flood in 1972, and the ongoing instability of its sloping terrain. As a result, Craco was completely abandoned by the early 1990s. Interestingly, it gained attention again when it was featured in the popular film, The Passion of The Christ.
9. Kayakoy, Turkey
Situated amidst the Taurus Mountains, the town of Kayakoy in Turkey has remained deserted since the 1920s due to a political population exchange with Greece. With more than 350 empty houses, it has become one of the renowned abandoned places in the world.
10. Fordlandia, Brazil
Established in 1927 by Henry Ford, the founder of Ford motors, Fordlandia was envisioned as a sprawling rubber plantation in the Amazon forest. Ford had plans to create a corporate city complete with luxurious amenities such as swimming pools, a golf course, bungalows, and even a venue for traditional American dances. However, the native workers were enraged by the idea of a liquor ban and responded by throwing cars into the river and driving the managers into the jungle in 1930. Since then, the city has been left abandoned.
11. Varosha, Cyprus
Varosha was a contemporary tourist area in the early 1970s in north Cyprus. Its opulent beaches and hotels attracted celebrities including Brigitte Bardot and Elizabeth Taylor, who sunbathed directly on Varosha beach. However, following the Turkish invasion in 1974, the situation changed dramatically and the entire population fled the area out of fear of a massacre. Since then, due to tense political circumstances, the area has remained deserted.
12. Pripyat, Ukraine
The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant catastrophe of 1986 caused a city-wide release of nuclear radiation. Formerly a settlement for thousands of plant workers and their families, Pripyat had to be evacuated promptly.
13. Villa Epecuén, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
The former tourist village of Villa Epecuén on the shores of Lake Epecuén was highly popular during the 1920s – early 1980s. However, when the dam detaining the lake’s waters failed in 19085, the entire village was submerged. Although the water subsided, what remained of the village has been forsaken since then.
14. Kolmanskop, Namibia
The town was established in 1908 in the Namib desert by German pioneers in search of diamonds. However, the resources were depleted by the mid-1950s and the town was abandoned thereafter. Today, the homes are filled to the brim with sand, creating an eerie yet stunning image of the town.
15. Sanzhi, Taiwan
Sanzhi, the city of the UFO houses in Taiwan, was developed as a vacation destination for the US military officers returning from their positions in Asia. However, unfortunate car accidents and loss of investments led to the closure of this site in 1980. The structures were completely demolished in 2010.
16. Ghost Town of Bodie, California, USA
In 1876, miners discovered abundant deposits of gold and silver in the town. However, the city quickly gained a reputation as a ‘vice city’ due to its countless brothels and bars. Before long, it went bankrupt in the 1940s and transformed into one of the most well-preserved abandoned towns in the world.
Deserted Islands
17. Gouqi Island, China
Situated on the Yangtze River in China, the fishing village of Gouqi island is renowned for its verdant structures adorned with foliage and ivy.
18. Ross Island, India
Formerly the British administrative center for the Indian Penal Settlement, Ross Island was an uninhabited island in southern Andaman until recently. It is currently maintained by the government and serves as a major tourist attraction in Andaman. The cemetery and the dilapidated church create an unsettling atmosphere on this deserted island.
19. Hirta Island, Scotland
Once a lush island inhabited by a substantial population, Hirta Island has remained abandoned since the 1930s due to the risk of famine and the severe weather conditions.
20. Hashima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
Commonly known as the Battleship Island, Hashima Island housed a coal mining facility, a hospital, a school, and numerous eateries during its heyday (late-19th century to mid-20th century). However, all of these are now in a state of disrepair.
21. Island of Dolls, Mexico
The Island of Dolls is located on the outskirts of Mexico City. The narrative tells the tale of the island’s former guardian who stumbled upon a deceased girl in the canal that borders the island. In order to satisfy the spirit of the deceased girl, he started collecting dolls from the garbage and hanging them up all over the island. Curiously, the lifeless body of the guardian was discovered in 2001 at the exact spot where he claimed to have seen the deceased girl.
22. Poveglia Island, Italy
Situated in the Venetian Lagoon of Italy, Poveglia island became a dumping ground for victims of the plague during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. It was later transformed into a mental asylum before being completely abandoned.
Deserted Amusement Parks
23. Six Flags, New Orleans, USA
The former amusement park was devastated by the Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which wrecked around 80% of the attractions. Due to the exorbitant costs of restoration, the amusement park was eventually abandoned.
Also in the USA: Discovery Island Theme Park in Florida and Holy Land Theme Park in Connecticut
24. Wonderland Amusement Park, Beijing, China
Designed to be Beijing’s response to Disneyland, the Wonderland Amusement Park has the potential to become nothing more than one of the deserted locations across the globe. The cost of land led to the construction being halted in 1998. Local farmers are currently utilizing a portion of the land to cultivate crops. Additionally, there are plans to demolish the abandoned structures in order to make way for a shopping center.
25. Dadipark, Dadizele, Belgium
Dadipark was one of the stylish amusement parks in Belgium that ceased operations over ten years ago due to the unfortunate incident where a young boy lost his arm on one of the rides. Despite numerous reports about renovations and plans to reopen, the park has only witnessed decay, graffiti, and underground skate parks.
26. Nara Dreamland Theme Park, Japan
Inspired by Disneyland, the Nara Dreamland Park was inaugurated in 1961 but was ultimately forced to close in 2006. Since then, it has become one of the eerily abandoned places in the world.
27. Spreepark, Berlin, Germany
Established in East Berlin under Soviet rule in 1969, Spreepark was the lone amusement park in the region at that time. However, as time passed, the Berlin Wall fell and larger, more impressive parks emerged. Consequently, the amusement park ceased operations in 2001 and has since remained abandoned.
28. Gulliver’s Travels Park, Kawaguchi, Japan
Opened in 1997, the Gulliver’s Travels Park in the Kawaguchi region of Japan could not sustain itself beyond a decade despite receiving financial assistance from the Japanese government.
Other stunning abandoned places in the world
29. Floating Forest, Sydney
Constructed in 1911, the SS Ayrfield was retired in 1972 and deposited in the ship graveyard in Homebush Bay, west of Sydney. However, what sets it apart from the rest is the majestic mangrove trees and greenery growing out of the vessel.
30. Hotel del Salto, Columbia
Once an opulent hotel, the Tequendama Falls Hotel was constructed in the early 1920s in the city of San Antonio del Tequendama. However, with time, the Bogota river became polluted and tourism declined. Eventually, the hotel was closed down and is now reputed to be haunted.
Don’t these pictures send shivers down your spine? And if you still crave more, there are numerous other abandoned places in the world that you might want to explore. Take a look!
