This church located in a small town in Ontario, Canada looks as though it has not been inhabited for some time and is in desperate need of a community to come and revive it.

With the sun shining through its windowless frame it looks quite inviting, and whoever was passing by this church and snapped the photo clearly felt inspired at the moment.

This former submarine base used to be one of the Soviet Union’s top-secret naval bases. Based in a town called Balaklava, it was decommissioned in 1993 and much like the metro system tunnel it was said to be able to withstand a nuclear attack.

This site isn’t actually abandoned as today it is home to the Ukrainian Naval Museum, also known as the “Cold War Museum” and hosts an exhibition on the Crimean War.

This image was taken from the inside of an abandoned subway tunnel which makes up part of the metro system in Kiev, Ukraine. As you can see, it remains unfinished with the bottom of the tunnel flooded and the natural phenomenon of stalactite growing down from the roof.

It is said that all of the metro tunnels in Ukraine are also purpose-built to withstand a nuclear attack, and so in the event, the population of Kiev could take shelter in the tunnel system.

These intricately designed wooden houses, situated deep in the forests of Russia are still a thing of beauty. They were designed in the style of the architect Ropet, although we don’t know if he developed this specific one.

They date back to the 19th century and were most likely built by wealthy industrialists who wanted a suburban getaway. Due to their remote location and strong timbers, they have managed to remain mostly intact.

The hotel was originally built alongside the Tequendama falls in 1928 and was supposed to serve as an upmarket retreat for Colombia’s wealthier holiday goers. It was soon discovered that the Tequendama falls were actually contaminated which meant no one was interested in visiting it.

The hotel stood alongside empty and abandoned. The building is still there today and has a haunted quality to it.

This beautiful old train station was abandoned in 1993 after the war between Georgia and Russia and fell into a state of disrepair.

The conflict between the two regions caused the area to be isolated, and the station was neglected. If you were to try and visit, you would still be able to see some of the intricate colonnades and rosettes on the ceiling in the plasterwork. There is also still some mahogany furniture in situ.

Just by Ardley Cove in the middle of Antarctica is a sunken yacht called Mar Sem Fim. It has since been salvaged, but the history behind this sunken yacht is that a group of Brazillian documentary filmmakers had bought the yacht to the area. Due to strong winds and harsh conditions, the crew was forced to, quite literally, abandon ship.

The icy waters took hold of the yacht and caused it to freeze under the waves and sunk the boat.

The Valley of the Mills in Sorrento gives us a clue as to what life would be like without humans. This building was originally a mill for grinding up wheat, there was also a sawmill in the area. The buildings are said to date back to the 13th Century, but when wheat milling was moved to nearby pasta mills, the buildings became obsolete and fell into disrepair.

The mills have also been separated from the sea by the construction of Tasso Square which increased the humidity in the region, causing people to leave in search of a more livable climate.

This building which used to be the home of the communist party was shaped like a UFO and is just as intriguing from the inside as it looks from the outside. The building was only in use for ten years from 1981 – 1991, but with the fall of the communist government, the building was abandoned and neglected.

There have been discussions into restoring it to its former glory, but so far no work has commenced on rejuvenating the building.

The 102-Year-Old floating forest is located in Homebush Bay, Sydney, Australia. The forest has grown out of the remains of the old SS Ayrfield, which was a large ship used during the Second World War. When the war ended, the boat was left to rot in the bay, and the trees started to sprout out of it, and the other ships that were left alongside it.

The derelict vessels are offset by the growing trees which gives an interesting juxtaposition, where the living meets the dead. It makes for a beautiful photograph.

The town of Kolmanskop in Namibia benefited from the diamond rush in the early 1900s. During this time German’s settled in the area and capitalized on the boom taking place in the area, investing in mines and enjoying the wealth that came with the discovery of diamonds.

The rush ended shortly after the Second World War and the population moved on, leaving the town empty and desolate. It is still a popular site with tourists who like to come to visit and in the hope of finding a diamond in the ruff.

Opened in 1829, the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia was one of the USA’s first modern prison’s and remained open until 1971. It was the first of its kind to be built using a wagon wheel design, which at the time seemed revolutionary but is now the commonly accepted design for prisons.

Eastern State Penitentiary was home to some of the United State’s most famous and dangerous criminals, including Al Capone and Willie Sutton. Thinking of the types of people who used to walk the halls in a building like this give it a creepy feel, and now as an abandoned building, you get that feeling twice as much.

Częstochowa was once a thriving town, nestled between Russia and Poland. This was mainly in thanks to the Warsaw-Vienna Railway which after it was built in 1846 went through the city and allowed its train station to become a hub, linking it to both cities as well as the rest of Europe.

The station was eventually closed, and now, the depot sits abandoned with its trains. This train graveyard still attracts thousands of rail enthusiasts a year to come and see the trains in a state of disrepair. It might be a sad sight for them to see, but they can’t seem to stay away.

The complex of about 60 buildings was initially designed to be a sanitorium but became a military hospital during World War 1. Adolf Hitler was in fact treated here for an injury to his leg which he received fighting in the Somme. In 1945 it was taken over by Red Army and remained as a military hospital until 1995 under the Soviets.

When the Soviets finally withdrew, sometime after reunification, there were attempts to privatize the hospital. Some were successful, and there is now a neurological rehabilitation center on the grounds and a center for the care of those with Parkinson’s disease. Other buildings including the psychiatric ward or surgery were successfully taken over and had been left abandoned since 1994 and unsecured giving rise to graffiti and a feeling of a ghost town.

The Dadipark which opened during the 1980s was primarily a giant playground, with structures such as giant slides and swings for visitors to enjoy. Unfortunately, as more advanced theme parks have come into the mix, the original excitement for this kind of experience lost its sparkle, and the park decided to close in 2002.

What is it about abandoned parks and playgrounds that feel so creepy?

The micronation of Sealand, which is located off the coast of Suffolk, England has claimed ownership of these derelict structures. They were originally installed during the Second World War to help protect the River Thames and the route to London.

The forts were never dismantled after the War and were never maintained, giving them a rusted and creepy appearance.

The Domino Sugar factory was functioning up until 2004 when it closed down. The end came for the 150-year-old factory after 250 members of staff went on an extended strike. The company eventually decided to cease all operations and closed the factory.

It was such an iconic part of the Brooklyn skyline that the factory and a few of the other buildings in the same complex were awarded landmark status in 2007.

The city of Scicheng in China was over 1,300 years old, but around 50 years ago the government decided to flood the area for the Xin’an River Hydro Plant intentionally.

Having a city like this, which was thriving and immaculately maintained and essentially sinking it underwater is a fantastic opportunity for Scooba divers to explore, getting up close to some incredible history.

The massive size of this structure is enough to creep us out, but its water cooling station is also starting to be overtaken by nature which is adding a creepy natural element.

This power station was once a fundamental structure for the city, and now it sits unused.

The Holy Land park, which was designed by taking inspiration from various biblical passages, used to be a favorite theme park. In its prime, between the 1960s and 1970s, it used to welcome up to 40,000 visitors a year.

The park was eventually closed in 1984, but the grounds are still maintained, so it doesn’t feel as spooky as some of the other abandoned places on our list.

This beautiful station located in the heart of New York City and was designed by Rafael Guastavino, whose distinctive arched tiled designs also featured in Grand Central Station and the US Supreme Court. Unfortunately, because the station was only receiving an average of 600 passengers a day, it was decided that in 1945 it should close.

Today it is used as a location for film sets but hopes it might one day be restored to a working train station a fading.

This island in Japan was once upon a time inhabited by over 5000 miners and their families. They were there to mine for coal and sent it back to the mainland. The island went into decline as petroleum started to replace coal as Japan’s first choice for energy.

We can see from the picture that the building looks run down and dilapidated. It may have been built in a hurry when coal was first discovered here. Due to its fascinating past, Hashima Island has been the subject of a number of documentary films.

Although the castle is located in Belgium, it was actually built by French aristocrats who had left France during the revolution. In the years after and as the Second World War approached, it was turned into an orphanage and functioned as one until 1980 when the building was abandoned.

Strangely the family refused any help to restore the building from the government, and as a result, it is now in a state of disrepair. It is also said to be haunted, and so lots of people visit in search of ghosts and thrills.

At first glance, this abandoned lighthouse looks idyllic, situated in the seas between the East coast of Russia and Japan. In reality, the building used to serve as a prison for some of Russia’s most dangerous criminals.

The prison has since been closed down, but the island remains under Russian control with the lighthouse now derelict and the island uninhabited.

Lake Buena Vista on Disney’s Discovery Island may not too look too dangerous or creepy, in fact, it seems picturesque. However, rumor has it that the lake is the reason why this attraction was closed. Unfortunately, the water in the lake carries a bacterium that is so dangerous to humans that it could cause death.

It’s better to be safe than sorry, so this lake will remain out of bounds, and Discovery Island will ironically be abandoned.

This park is dedicated to the story of Gulliver’s travels, as we can see from the giant Gulliver lying down in the middle of the park.

The Japanese government tried to keep the property open but unfortunately not even that could save it. Now, despite its bright facades, the park lies empty and derelict. A sad end for Gulliver.

Then in 2008 they decided to make the building weatherproof and fitted it with an outer layer of glass costing a huge $150 million. Much of the hotel remains unfinished to this day, despite having a polished look from outside.

However, the project was never completed as there wasn’t enough money and some a series of car accidents gave the area a negative connotation, and the project ground to a halt just two years later. These pods may still look ultra-modern even if a long time has passed since they were last touched.

The enormous Ryugyong Hotel was a project under the North Korean dictatorship, and with 105 floors it would be one of the tallest hotels in the world. However, the country was plagued by famine and work on the hotel ground to a halt.

Then in 2008 they decided to make the building weatherproof and fitted it with an outer layer of glass costing a huge $150 million. Much of the hotel remains unfinished to this day, despite having a polished look from outside.

This house dates back to 1908 when it was built in Belgium. It definitely has the potential for grandeur with its spires on the roof, bay windows, and high ceilings. It is surrounded by a cornfield and benefits from being set back off the road so would be nice and quiet.

Unfortunately, it has been abandoned and has been left to decay. Half of the windows are broken or shattered, many of the floorboards are broken or creaking, and the wallpaper is peeling off which is probably to do with a rising damp issue. The building definitely has a creepy feel to it, with its boarded-up windows and crumbling walls.

This is La Villa Zanelli which was built in 1907 and located in Savona, Italy. It was originally built by Nicolo Zanelli for him and his family who inhabited the villa until 1933 when it was sold to the Milan municipality. Later, during World War II it was used as a field hospital to help those soldiers wounded in battle. After the war ended, it maintained its function as a medical facility and was a heart center until 1998 when a frightening event happened, and the ceiling collapsed.

It was shortly after this that the building was abandoned and suffered from neglect. Local vandals came and graffitied on the walls and left it in a terrible state. Recently some people have taken an interest in restoring the building, setting up a page on facebook to raise awareness as well as a crowdsourcing page to help raise money for the restoration.

The Manchester Convalescent Home or Barnes Hospital was completed in 1875 and can be noted as an example of gothic revival architecture is a Grade II listed building. It was initially built to be in a rural setting, but now the area around Cheadle is surrounded by roads. It was inspired by the nursing of the great Florence Nightingale but was eventually closed in 1999. The building was left to rot and fell into a state of neglect.

It has been sold and resold from one developer to the next for as much as 12 million Euro’s, and eventually, construction began on the building to convert it into residential units. The construction company must be careful to preserve the building as it is protected. The building has been used as a set for the 1974 horror film, “Let sleeping corpses lie” and in 2005 to film an episode of “Most Haunted Live.” This is the perfect setting for a horror film as an abandoned gothic hospital certainly has a creepy feel to it.

This area is named after the Pegasus plane which crashed in the area on 8 October 1970. The model of the aircraft was a C-121 Lockheed Constellation. The weather conditions that day had been poor and can change quickly meaning pilots have to think mid-air soon whether or not it is safe to continue or to turn the plane around and go back to New Zealand.

On this occasion, they had already passed the Point of Safe Return (PSR), and there was not enough fuel to get them home safely, so they decided to make an emergency landing in Antarctica. Amazingly none of the 80 passengers on board that day were injured despite the terrible weather conditions.

This abandoned cottage which is now more moss than bricks and mortar can be found along the Kerry Way walking trail. This trail is a 133-mile-long circular trail that usually takes around nine days to complete and starts and ends in Killarney. Along the way is the beautiful scenery of County Kerry including, Muckross Lake, the Torc Waterfall, and The Black Valley.

It was first proposed in 1982 and cost approximately 60,000 IEP to complete. It forms part of the E8 European Walking Route which runs all the way from Dursey Island in County Cork to Istanbul in Turkey. If you thought you needed to get fit for the Kerry Way, just imagine how in shape you’d need to be to complete the E8!

This is an image of the Maid of Harlech, a United States Air Force Army (USAAF) fighter jet which is believed to have crashed during a training exercise off the coast of Wales in 1942. The pilot at the time, Robert F. Elliot was amazingly unharmed and managed to land the plane on its belly in the water. The only damage to the aircraft was a wing tip that was sheared off in the shallow waters. It wasn’t until 65 years later when the wreckage was discovered, with plans to retrieve it.

The rescue operation was announced by charity, The International Group for Historical Aircraft Recovery. The idea is to donate the plane to the British Museum for historical aviation enthusiasts to enjoy. Specialist knowledge in how to preserve an aircraft that has been submerged in sea waters for decades needs to be applied to ensure the wreckage is kept intact.

This beautiful sight is called the Jiancing Historical Trail and is located near the Taipinshan Villa in Taiwan. It was originally made up of 5.5 km of log railway. Over time, trains stopped using the track, but visitors still enjoyed the natural beauty of the area and would use the path as a hiking trail.

About 2 km’s of the track was lost, and the path measured a distance of 2.3 km. This was until a typhoon hit in 2013 and destroyed all but 900 m of the hiking trail. It was sad to lose a lot of the trail, but people still visit and enjoy a short walk with spectacular views.

he Mir Diamond Mine is the second largest man-made hole in the world. The only one larger is the Bingham Canyon open-pit copper mine in Utah, USA. Between the years of 1957 – 2001, this was a rich source of diamond and was nicknamed, the “Navel of the Earth.” This aerial view shows how creepy it looks from above to have a massive hole in the earth next to an industrial area.

Originally constructed by Stalin it was eventually abandoned as the cost of keeping the mine open became untenable. It’s crazy to think what humans are capable of, especially when you see it this starkly in a photograph.

Atkins Halls. Located in Cork, Ireland, used to function as a mental asylum back in the 1800s. Today, half of the units have been converted into modern apartments, the other half remained abandoned and are suffering from major conservational and structural problems.

The asylum was built as a three-story building, with a complex of buildings in a long line. As well as accommodation and treatment rooms for the patients, there was also a gate lodge and a church. We are sure the renovated sections of the building are beautiful, but it might feel a bit creepy imaging what may have taken place here in the past, as we know the treatment of the mentally ill was not kind.

This was a theme park in Japan that was said to be inspired by the ever-popular Disneyland parks. The Nara Dreamland park was initially opened in 1961 and was a popular attraction at one time. However, by 2006, it was agreed the park should close and now seems to be frequented by urban explorers and the occasional security guard. Some of the old rollercoasters still stand, such as this one named the Screw Coaster.

There is another abandoned roller coaster in the park named Aska. If you’re an urban explorer, make sure you have a permit as the guards here have a tendency to hand out tickets for trespassing. Frankly, it doesn’t look like the safest place to explore anyway!

This is the Pavilion de Bai, which acted as a treatment center and sanitorium. It was located in Valcea County in the heart of Romania. Designed by architect, Ernest Doneaud, construction started in the early, and the center became operational in 1915. The building was shaped like an E, and there were 145 rooms in total. There were plans to add an additional 19 rooms after the treatment house was officially opened, but these were halted when war broke out.

Among other therapies, the center was equipped to offer water-based therapies, electrotherapy, and compressed air cabinets. This was cutting-edge at the time and helped patients with upper respiratory problems, as a result of inhaling toxic fumes during the war. Using extreme air pressures allowed these ex-servicemen to breathe again. When the area was taken over by communism, these kinds of institutions were starved of funding and as a result and became neglected. There is still hope that this building will be restored as the community around it appears to be growing again.

The Six Flags Jazzland park was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina, which struck New Orleans on 25 August 2005. Despite several investors showing interest in regenerating the park no one has been able to bring this place back to life. It’s still a hot favorite with photographers who can channel a creepier side to their photos.

Abandoned theme parks are definitely one of the spookiest places to be, especially when you think about that terrible day when the hurricane hit and destroyed everything in its path. Much of New Orleans and the surrounding areas are still suffering the after-effects of the hurricane and have yet to be rebuilt to their former glory.

In the small Icelandic town of Búðir, on the Snæfellsjökull peninsula lies a secluded church called Búðakirkja. It is a picturesque spot, popular with photographers, newlyweds and travelers alike, thanks to its simple color palette of black and white. It is rare to see a church using just black and white as we are used to more ornate stained-glass windows, but there is something simplistic and beautiful about this design.

First built in 1703, it is surrounded by lava fields, and the only other building nearby is a small hotel. The church was reclaimed in 1987 and restored. The original bell and chalice still feature, as do remains or the original graveyard.

Located on the Southwestern coast of Florida sit a group of small and uninhabited domed structures on Cape Romano. They were built in 1981 to serve as a holiday home to the oil mogul Bob Lee, but have since been left empty and now look neglected and run down. They were originally beautiful structures which were powered by solar energy and were self-sustaining, but they were wrecked by hurricanes.

No one is sure what will happen to these buildings in the next few years, but a circular home is indeed an interesting way to live. You can be sure there will be no dusty corners. In 2005, hurricane Wilma caused considerable damage to the properties as well as to the coastline and now what is left of the buildings can only be reached by boat.

Finding an abandoned castle in Italy is not a unique occurrence. There are several for sale, some which have already been restored and refurbished and others which are in a state of disrepair, a “fixer-upper.”

However, each castle has its own unique style, layout, and character. They may all have some similar features such a winding staircase, basements, servants’ quarters, secret passageways and even dungeons but each has its own personal twist when it comes to design. Exploring a castle like this probably requires a hard-hat and being accompanied by a professional. Who knows, an abandoned castle like this probably has some kind of sinister past and might be haunted too!

It seems strange to have this many shipwrecked boats in one small area. The reason being that these were sunken here on Moreton Island on purpose to make a safe harbor for some of the smaller boats on the island.

Today the rusting metals against the blue and green waters creates a feast of colors for the eyes. Now that we know this was done on purpose, we can understand why the boats are arranged the way they are. It looks like these sunken boats, which dated back to 1963, were previously barges or steam dredges that were no longer in use. They were repurposed to make the harbor a safer place for the small boats to be.

This building, called Gentzrode was designed by Carl von Diebitch on a piece of that was purchased by Johann Gentz in 1840. It took some 21 years for construction to start. It was Johann’s son Ludwig who had grand plans for the property adding landscaped gardens and a mausoleum and was eventually completed between 1876-1877 at a far greater expense than originally anticipated. This caused Johann to file for bankruptcy and left the family in a desperate state.

Gentzrode passed from one owner to the next for a tenth of what it cost to build. One owner tried to grow sugar beets on the land but failed due to the inadequate quality of the soil. The next owner, Paul Hoepffner was only the proprietor for a year until in 1934 the area was overtaken by the Nazis and they seized control of the property, and then later to the Soviets who left it in a state of ruin. In 2010 it was purchased by a Turkish investor with hopes to restore the property, but plans were halted when live ammunition from World War II was thought to have been found on-site which required proper disposal.

Built in 1921, this abandoned power plant in Belgium is intimidating enough just to look at. At the time of completion, it was one of the largest coal-burning plants in the country. It was previously used a water-cooling station, capable of cooling down 480,000 gallons of water per minute. It was once a significant feature of the town and by 1977, was the primary source of energy for the town of Charleroi.

A power plant of this magnitude is going to be a considerable source of pollution, so it wasn’t surprising when it was discovered that this plant was responsible for 10% of all of Belgium’s carbon dioxide emissions. Unsurprisingly Greenpeace started to take notice of the plant and protested for it to be closed down, which eventually happened in 2007. Security guards are often stationed around the plant to stop people looting for scrap metal.

Lucy the Elephant was originally built in 1881 and comprised of six floors which were topped off by a magnificent Howdah, which is a set used to ride an elephant. There was a winding staircase which led through the elephant-shaped structure. Lucy the Elephant suffered many disasters, which included a fire and having its Howda blown off the top of the building.

Eventually, the building was so damaged and was suffered such severe neglect that the city condemned it and said it should be torn down, with a new developer for the area wanting to have Lucy removed altogether. When news got out that Lucy was to be destroyed a committee formed to have her saved and restored to her former glory. They were victorious, and she is now fully functioning and open for business.

You’ve heard about the gold rush in Australia, well this was a silver rush in a small town on the banks of Lake Superior in Ontario, Canada. Supplies of silver were discovered in 1845 but attempts to mine it proved difficult due to challenging weather conditions which included storms and ice surges. Miners were not able to successfully retrieve the silver, which was worth $3 million until a breakwater made of concrete and rocks was built in the lake which meant they were able to control the surging waters.

The mine functioned until 1883 when there was a lack of funding for the fuel required to power the furnaces and the water-filled shafts. The mine lays abandoned until this day.

The area of Rotan is home to a number of shipwrecks. The one in this image is the Dixon Cove wreck which happened in the 1970s and according to legend was wrecked in a storm and then pushed into the channel where it became stranded and eventually abandoned. It was rumored to have some valuable materials on boards. Some believed it to be wood, while others claimed it was marble and some claim that it was a different ship entirely.

Local thieves came aboard the ship to loot whatever they could, and the wreckage has been left abandoned ever since. The Caribbean has always been a favorite for explorers and for many divers a ship wreckage is a fascinating thing to explore as it is full of intrigue and mystery.

The SS America was built in 1940 and was primarily used as a passenger ship until it was caught up in a wreck in 1994. During World War II the ship was used by the Navy, but somehow two Nazi spies had managed to infiltrate the ship and were sending vital intelligence back to the German army. It was later discovered that these spies were part of Duquesne Spy Ring, who along with 31 other spies were convicted of espionage when they were uncovered by the US army, which was the largest conviction in US history.

The wreck which eventually killed the ship took place in 1994 when it got caught up in a storm just off the coast of the Canary Islands that essentially severed the ship in two. What was supposed to be a glorious 100-day journey ended in misery as the ship was destroyed and abandoned.

Wedged between two modern looking properties is the small and charming original Victorian home in San Francisco. This was possibly owned by an artist or a writer who would be able to sit in the bay window watching the world go by and letting the imagination run wild.

There is a lovely garden to the front of the property which looks like it has fallen into a state of disrepair, much like the building itself, which has a hole in the roof. We imagine that when the house was inhabited, the garden was well maintained and a source of joy for the owner.

This little love bug of a car has been totally abandoned on Milnerton beach in South Africa. Maybe this was the result of a soured love affair or that the car didn’t live up to the expectations the owners had for it. Perhaps this little gem of a car couldn’t drive on the sand, and the owners had to abandon it.

From the background it looks like something is on fire, perhaps there is a volcano that is erupting, and the driver and passengers just had to run for their lives abandoning this vintage vehicle which had gotten stuck in the sand.

At the time when it was built between 1912 and 1913, it replaced the original depot in downtown Detroit after a fire in 1913 forced its closure. Michigan Central Station was forced into an early opening before it was fully completed, but it was still the tallest train station in the world and continued to function as a train station until 1988 when the Detroit train line closed down. Upon opening it would see over 200 trains coming into and out of the station each day, but by the World War II it was primarily used by the military and went into a steady decline as people started to use trains less, and their personal cars more. By 1988 the station was closed entirely.

Despite numerous attempts to find an investor to regenerate the building and bring it back to life in a different form, none have been successful, and the building has been abandoned. Recognized for its beauty and unique design it was recently awarded “Landmark status.” So, the building is here to stay – we just hope someone sees its potential for a new project soon.

Built back in the 1880s, this tunnel was one of a network of seven tunnels which linked the countryside between Waterfall and Otford in Australia. The landscape is very hilly, so it was decided it is easier to cut through the landscape instead of trying climb the steep hillsides. However, in 1920 it was decided they needed a two-track railway instead of a single lane one and so instead of extending the existing tunnel, a completely new tunnel was built in a different location.

This left the original tunnel as superfluous, and it was eventually closed down. There is an innate beauty and mystery to these abandoned tunnels, which until recently could be visited by tourists. They have since been subject to some vandalism, and so visitors are no longer allowed to enter into the tunnels.

This beautiful old hotel sits on a cliff overlooking the shores of the Bogata River. This was once the perfect vacation spot, with views of the river and the waterfall in the distance. However, this came to an abrupt end when the Bogata river was flooded with industrial waste and became contaminated.

The authorities either didn’t care or were just unable to fix the contaminated river and the contamination problem became uncontrollable. As a result, people stopped visiting the area, and there was no longer a need for a hotel which was subsequently forced to close, leaving it abandoned. It was also rumored that people used to jump into the river to commit suicide which adds to its creepy nature.

This graveyard of old Harley Davidson’s is located in Lima, Peru and owned by the National Police od Puente Piedra. There had been some budgetary issues, and the police were unable to keep the bikes in working order, and so they were taken out of circulation and abandoned in this parking site.

Harley Davidson parts need to be replaced by original parts, which may have been hard to obtain or afford. Some of these bikes may have been sold by Harley Davidson to some of their enthusiastic customers who would relish to opportunity to fix up an old bike and restore it to its former glory. These bikes in their current condition would be sold for about $1,300 but polished up and refurbished could reach an amazing price of $12,000. There are some big profits to be made!

In this image, we can see an abandoned railway bridge located in Pennsylvania. This is just one of many bridges and stretches of railroad around Pennsylvania that have been abandoned as a result of the decline in popularity of the train as a method of transport.

Back in the day, the train was the most popular mode of transport, but when cars started to be more readily available, they soon took over as the preferred way to get around, and as a result, many of the railroads were neglected. As trains are not popular enough anymore, there are not sufficient funds to invest in them and improve their state.

This former British warship was found in the Great Lakes. Known as the HMS Ontario, it is believed to have been sunk in 1780 with 130 men on board, all of which died. Amazingly, when it was found, somewhere between Niagra falls and Rochester in upstate New York, in 2008, over 200 years later it was still mostly intact.

It took many years to track down this sunken ship. Jim Kennard tried 35 years earlier to find it but did not succeed until he joined forces with Dan Scoville and the two used all of their expertise to find the vessel. Amazingly after years of hard work, they were able to locate it.

Pancho Semov was known as the Bulgarian Rockefeller thanks to his fantastic wealth. Born in the small village of Bagrovo, he was Bulgaria’s ultimate story of going from rags to riches and made his billions through banking, trading and more. He was the proprietor of a number of properties, and when he made out his will, he intended that his home would become a retirement home. He intended for two further buildings to be used as boarding schools for girls. One would be free of charge and would be made available to some of the most impoverished girls in the community. The other was intended for those families who could afford it and for this they would be charged a small tax which would presumably cover the running costs of both schools.

When he died in 1945, his wishes were not carried out, and the government seized control of the buildings. The mansion which was intended as a retirement home was turned into a ward for those suffering from infectious tuberculosis. At least it is still functioning with the aim of helping those in need.

Holland Island, located in Chesapeake Bay used to be a thriving coastal community with shops, a school, a church, and many beautiful Victorian houses like we see here. In its prime, around 1910 the island was home to approximately 360 residents, but the island was under threat from erosion. Slowly but surely the island was getting worn away by the sea, and it didn’t matter what they tried nothing could stop it. They had stones shipped into the island to try and build defensive walls in 1914, but that didn’t work and even sunk some ships in the surrounding waters to try and slow down the erosion, but this was also to no avail.

Slowly but surely the buildings began to crumble as the land beneath them disappeared. One big hit to the community came in 1918 when a tropical storm hit the island and destroyed the church. Those who had stuck it out until this point decided that it might be time to leave, pick up what remained of their homes and rebuild them further inland. There was one further attempt to rejuvenate the island in 1995  until 2010 to preserve what was left, but they couldn’t fight the power of the waters. This house is the last one on Holland Island.

There are many sunken ships lying at the bottom of the Red Sea, but this one is known as the “Russian Wreck.” The remains of this ship which is believed to have been a fishing trawler named the Khanka was found in 1988 in the waters of the Red Sea.

As with many things they aren’t what they appear on first glance. On further inspection, the trawler was full of electrical equipment and batteries, so it was likely that the Russians were using it as a spy ship of sorts, for surveillance and communication in the open waters.

This is a puzzling scene. The house in the background is completely dilapidated with the wood on the exterior falling apart. The trees are completely bare which isn’t surprising seeing as we are in Canada. However, in the foreground is a perfectly manicured lawn.

This picture fills us with intrigue. Who could be taking such immaculate care of this patch of green grass but leaving the house behind in a state of ruin? This would be a great talking point if it featured in a portrait gallery or in someone’s home, especially with those looming clouds up above.  

This is a replica VW bug which is part of the exhibition at the Underwater Museum in Cancun. There are a total of 500 sculptures which make up the whole museum most of which were designed by a British sculptor named Jason deCaires Taylor. He created many of the installations along five other Mexican artists.

The museum is comprised of three galleries which sit between 3-6 meters below the water, making it a dream visit for those who love snorkeling or diving. This sculpture of the VW beetle car a classic of Volkswagens and now is home to all different kinds of sea life.

This picturesque house beautifully matches its surroundings with fields of dandelions. Up on its hilltop, it could easily be the setting for a movie. The abandoned house probably looked glorious when it was occupied but now could do with a coat of paint to restore it and bring it back to life. Sadly, this property was probably abandoned due to its location.

There are not many opportunities for young people in these remote parts, and so children leave home and head to the city where things are a bit more exciting, and there are better chances of finding a job. When the owners of these homes pass away, then there is no one left to look after them, and they end up being abandoned and desolate.

Deep within the mountains of the Berchtesgaden National Park sits a deserted old fishing hut resting on the waters of the Obersee Lake. By the time it was rediscovered the hut had been completely emptied with no signs as to who the previous owners were or when it was built. Nestled in such beautiful scenery, you can imagine the joy it must be to sit in total peace and quiet and fish from the surrounding waters.

We bet this is a popular lake with locals, as well as those from further afield thanks to its gorgeous setting and ample stocks of freshwater fish enjoy the solitude and the scenery as they wait for the big catch of the day.

The Selma Plantation estate, a 20-room mansion, used to stand in all of its glory on the 212-acre plot of land.  The original property was built between 1800 – 1815. The owners died suddenly, and the property exchanged ownership several times including to the Beverly family who owned the estate during the Civil War. The building, at one point, was destroyed by fire but was restored by Elijah B. White around 1896.

At some point in time, the property was completely abandoned, and the building fell into a state of disrepair with mold growing on the walls, smashed windows and creaky, broken floorboards. It was recently reported that the property was bought in 2016 and will be undergoing a restoration project to bring it back to its former glory. Watch this space for updates.

When the volcano Mount Sinaburg in Karo, Indonesia erupted, it filled the sky with smoke and ash where an abandoned church sat in its path of destruction. The Mount Sinabung volcano is highly active and in recent year has erupted several times. This has meant the local population has left the area, and so many buildings, homes, and churches have been left abandoned. Many fled the area when in 2015 another eruption took place and many residents decided to live in the path of a now active volcano was too significant a risk to take.

Sadly, those who left were leaving their homes and their livelihoods, many of them farmers and ended up staying in refugee camps. The hope is that once the volcano becomes dormant again, they will be able to return to their homes which currently lay abandoned, and rejuvenate their lives there.

In a small village in southern Belgium called Chatillion, there is a graveyard of old cars which once belonged to the US army. Their soldiers were given these cars while they were stationed in Belgium during World War II. When the war was over the soldiers needed to decide what to do with their cars. They were given the option of having them shipped back to the US which the individual soldier would have to pay for. In the meantime, they parked all of the cars at the top of a hill where they wouldn’t be in the way.

Unsurprisingly, once the soldiers returned back to their lives in America, they were not interested in shipping a car from Belgium, and as a result, they were just abandoned in what looks like a car graveyard.

This lovely abandoned cottage with its unusual blue tiled roof is located near Stradbally, in a clearing of this yellow forest which is quite stunning. This looks like the perfect place to hibernate and get away from the stresses of life for some rest, relaxation and rejuvenation, but being this secluded might get a bit lonely after a while. Its estimated that the cottage was built somewhere between 1800 – 1920, but with its tiled roof and cast-iron windows, it might be closer to the late 1800s.

There are hundreds of examples of abandoned cottages all over Ireland, and this looks like it could be a more recent example of one.

This statue of Jesus Christ was designed to be submerged into the sea to represent Christ offering a benediction of peace as he casts his eyes towards the sky and into heaven. The bronze statue was designed by Guido Galletti and placed in the Mediterranean Sea between Camogli and Portofino, which is near the spot where Dario Gonzatti, the first Italian scuba diver died.

The statue was taken out of the water in 2003 for restoration purposes as the bronze had started to corrode and the statue was covered in crustaceans. Once the statue had been restored to its original glory, it was put back into the sea in 2004.

In March 2011 a huge earthquake and tsunami hit the region. This led to a nuclear power plant to have a radiation leak meaning the entire population of the city needed to be evacuated from Fukushima. This was a mass exodus of more than 300,00 people. At the time the population of the town thought they might be returning home at a later date, but with the resulting nuclear leak, the area was deemed unsafe.

This is an image of an abandoned supermarket which is just one of the thousands of buildings, whether homes or businesses that were evacuated as a resulted of this disaster.

This is the Rakotzbrücke Devil’s Bridge which is located in Gablenz, Germany. It was built in the 19th century and when the light hits the water in the right way it forms a perfect circle. This is a favorite spot for photographers and artists. It would make for a romantic moment sailing down the river with this view.

Scenery like this makes for a perfect image for a puzzle or a canvas print. It would be beautiful any time of year, but it would be interesting to compare the colors you would see in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. This picture was taken in autumn and benefits from all of the beautiful fall colors in the surrounding scenery.

It’s not clear why this has been parked behind this building, and if it is indeed abandoned or if the owner thinks this is a good place to leave a jet when it’s not in use. It’s not very well disguised parked in this backyard, and it didn’t take long for local people to start asking about it and taking an interest.

Soon enough photographers began to appear to take photos of this abandoned plane. This image was taken from above, so it seems to have been captured by a drone. When the aircraft was tested there were still some moving parts that worked so we will have to wait and see as to whether this plane will fly again, maybe the people in this house would like their backyard back?

The Holland House Library originally formed the Manor House and the Manor of Kensington and was built by Sir Walter Cope in 1605. This image shows the wreckage of the library after a German bomb hit the building during the blitz in 1940.

It was almost entirely destroyed, but some of the bookshelves remained with men looking at what remains they could find to read in those dark and difficult days. Today, only the eastern wing of the building still stands. It was declared a Grade 1 listed building in 1949 and is owned and managed by the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The Oodnadatta Track is a 383-mile-long road which goes between Marree and Marla and passes via Oodnadatta. The track follows a traditional Aboriginal trading route and in 1980 was named the Oodnadatta Track by Adam Plate. The road itself is still well maintained and can be driven along, but along the way, you will see the ruins of old railway buildings, bridges, and sidings.

There is a well-maintained camping site called Coward Springs Campground with a natural spa for the more outdoorsy types to enjoy. The spa benefits from the fact that numerous springs exist along the route and feed into the Great Artesian Basin.

This doesn’t look as though it can be real but instead was imagined by an illustrator at Disney. Amazingly, this incredible ice sculpture sits on the banks of Lake Michigan, looking more like an ice castle than a frozen lighthouse.

The St. Joseph Lighthouse became completely covered in ice when temperatures dropped to an incredible -34C in December of 2016. Weather warnings at the time stated that just 10 minutes outside in these conditions would cause frostbite. This looks like a bad case of frostbite for this lighthouse!

This is McDermott’s Castle, which is situated in County Roscommon, a small island, given the apt name of Castle Island which is located on the southwest corner of Lough Key in Ireland. The original castle was built by the Mac Diarmada dynasty in 1184, but it was destroyed when the castle was struck by lightning which caused a considerable fire resulting in the castle being completely destroyed.

The castle was rebuilt in 1586 but came under siege, and Cormack McDermott was forced to surrender fleeing from the area and leaving the castle abandoned. In 2014 the castle appeared in an episode of Moone Bay and in 2018 was put up for sale for £80,000, which is approximately $102,000.

In April 1986 a meltdown at the nuclear plant in Chernobyl caused widespread disaster. Whole towns and cities were evacuated including the town of Pripyat in Ukraine. This was to try and stop the residents being exposed to dangerously high levels of radiation.

It will be many years before people will be able to return to these parts. In the meantime, it just makes us think of a post-apocalyptic world might be like.