Hashima Island was once the most densely populated island in the world; now it’s completely empty. People became interested in the island after finding an underwater coal deposit directly under it. As time went on, tightly packed apartment complexes were constructed for … Read More
Author Archives: IAM SAM
Power Plant IM – Charleroi – Belgium
Originally built in 1921, the Power Plant IM used to be one of the largest coal burning power plants in Belgium—its massive cooling tower (pictured) was able to cool down 480,000 gallons of water per minute in its heyday. But … Read More
Kangbashi – Ordos – China
Welcome to the most modern ghost town you’ll ever see. Located in the city of Ordos (a subdivision of Inner Mongolia), Kangbashi New Area was intended to be a 130-square-mile residential area built to accommodate some one million people. Construction … Read More
El Hotel del Salto – Colombia
During the Roaring Twenties, this structure was built as an architect’s mansion—one that would make Gatsby gawk. Since then, the cliffside structure has has a few major makeovers. It became the 18-story Hotel del Salto in the 1950s, but was … Read More
Kennecott – Alaska
Nearly $200 million worth of copper was processed in Kennecott (located in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park) from 1911 to 1938, a self-contained mining town with its own hospital, skating rink, tennis court, and dairy. But most of the buildings have now … Read More
Haludovo Palace Hotel – Krk – Croatia
Haludovo Palace Hotel is clearly not of our time, but it’s hard to tell exactly when it is from. The design and modular shapes feel futuristic, but the state of decay places it firmly in the past. In reality, the hotel complex … Read More
Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital – Germany
If this old German hospital looks disturbing, well, it is. Just check out its chilling resume: Between 1898 and 1930, the Beelitz-Heilstätten complex served as a tuberculosis sanatorium. It also housed mustard gas and machine gun victims during World War I, including … Read More
Łapalice Castle – Poland
Imposing and ornate, Łapalice Castle resembles many of Eastern Europe’s legendary spooky castles. Only Łapalice Castle was built in 1979—and it’s not even technically a castle. The grand building was originally built as a studio for artist Piotr Kazimierczak, which … Read More
Kolmanskop – Namibia
You wouldn’t guess by looking at it now, but the town of Kolmanskop was once the spot of diamond mining and extravagance in 1908. But once the fair-weather inhabitants discovered more diamonds south of Kolmanskop, the site instantly became a ghost … Read More
Great Train Graveyard – Uyuni – Bolivia
Uyuni is mainly known for its salt flats and red lakes, but the Bolivian region has another unusual tourist attraction—a “cemetery” of abandoned, antique trains. In the early 19th century, plans were made to extend Uyuni’s transportation network and build more … Read More