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
Abandoned Places
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
City Methodist Church – Gary – Indiana
Famous for being the birthplace of Michael Jackson (and setting of The Music Man, obviously), Gary, Indiana also happens to be the site of one of the prettiest, eeriest, most abandoned churches in the country. Originally built in 1926 with money donated … Read More
The Maunsell Sea Forts – England – United Kingdom
Although they look like props from an H.G. Wells film adaptation, these giant metal towers in the Thames estuary were actually constructed to protect England from German air raids during WWII. The forts were decommissioned in the 1950s, and the … Read More
Dome Homes – Marco Island – Florida
If Luke Skywalker lived in Florida, you could probably find him meditating in one of the Dome Homes off the tip of Marco Island. The alien-looking houses were actually the brainchild of a retired oil tycoon, who built the structures in 1981 to … Read More
Houtouwan – Shengshan Island
Houtouwan—a former fishing village located about 87 miles southeast of Shanghai—has been uninhabited for several decades, but this is not your average ghost town. Instead of covered in dust and rubble, these buildings are almost entirely covered with creeping ivy … Read More
Gereja-Ayam – “Chicken-Church”
If you ever find yourself in the jungles of central Java, you might stumble upon a dilapidated church that’s equal parts awesome and confusing: Gereja Ayam, also known as the “Chicken Church.” The church (which the architect intended to be … Read More
Pripyat amusement park – Pripyat – Ukraine
The Pripyat amusement park in Pripyat, Ukraine was an upcoming amusement park. It was to be opened on May 1, 1986, in time for the May Day celebrations (decorations for this event are still in place in Pripyat today) but the plans were interrupted … Read More
Craco – Matera- Italy
Craco is a ghost town and comune in the Province of Matera, in the southern Italian region of Basilicata. The old town was abandoned in 1963 due to recurring landslides. The abandonment has made Craco a tourist attraction and a popular filming location. … Read More