Perhaps some were once hotspots for vacations or old military bases. Some are theme parks, some are train stations. All have a certain mystique about them, whether they are abandoned vehicles or entire islands, and we want to discover the stories that led to them being deserted. Come and join us…
Amazing Autumn in Germany
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.
An Abandoned Store Lies Desolate In Fukushima
In March 2011 a huge earthquake and tsunami hit the region. This led to a nuclear power plant having 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 result of this disaster.
Christ Of The Abyss At San Fruttuoso, Italy
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.
Cars Left By US Soldiers In Belgium
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.
Smoking volcano on Mount Sinaburg
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 years 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.
Fishing Hut On A lake In Germany
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 this 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.
This VW Bug Is Part of an Underwater Museum in Cancun, Mexico
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 that 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 with five other Mexican artists.
The museum is comprised of three galleries that 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, the classic of Volkswagens, is now home to all different kinds of sea life.
A Storm Approaches An Old Abandoned Farm in Ontario
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.
Russian Shipwreck in The Red Sea
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, were found in 1988 in the waters of the Red Sea.
As with many things they aren’t what they appear at 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.
The Last House on Holland Island, U.S.A
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 from 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.
Abandoned House of Bulgarian Industrialist, Pencho Semov
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.
The Oldest British Warship To Have Been Found in The Great Lakes Of Ontario
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.
Abandoned Hotel in Colombia
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.
Beautiful Picture Of Old Helensburgh Railway Tunnel Australia
Built back in the 1880s, this tunnel was one of a network of seven tunnels that 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 to 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 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, so visitors are no longer allowed to enter the tunnels.
Michigan Central Station in Detroit, U.S.A.
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 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. But, in 2018, Ford Motor Company acquired it in order to rework the facility.
The Wreck Of SS America, Canary Islands
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.
Partially Sunken Ship in Roatan, Honduras
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.
Abandoned Mining Town On Silver Islet, Lake Superior, Ontario, Canada
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.
Lucy The Elephant Hotel, New Jersey
Lucy the Elephant was originally built in 1881 and comprised six floors which were topped off by a magnificent Howdah, which is a set used to ride an elephant. There was a winding staircase that 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 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 was formed to have her saved and restored to her former glory. They were victorious, and she is now fully functioning and open for business.
Old Power Station in Belgium
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 as 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.
Sunken Boats Moreton Island in Queensland, Australia
It seems strange to have this many shipwrecked boats in one small area. The reason is 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 create 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.
Abandoned Castle in Italy
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 as winding staircases, 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!
Abandoned Dome Houses in Southwest Florida
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 that 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.
Love Finds a Church in Iceland
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 of the original graveyard.
Six Flags in New Orleans, USA
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.
Former Treatment House (Pavilionul de Bai) From Baile Govora, Valcea County, România
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 pressure 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.
Abandoned Rollercoaster, Nara Dreamland, Japan
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 the 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!
Atkins Halls Apartments, Cork These apartments, St. Anne's Asylum
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, and 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 imagining what may have taken place here in the past, as we know the treatment of the mentally ill was not kind.
Huge Man Hole Spills Diamonds For Decades
The 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.
Abandoned Railroad Track in A Forest
This beautiful sight is called the Jianqing Historical Trail and is located near the Taipinshan Villa in Taiwan. It was originally made up of a 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 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.
Submerged US WWII Lockheed P-38 Lightning Discovered in Wales After 65 Years Under
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 that the wreckage was discovered, with plans to retrieve it.
The rescue operation was announced by the 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.
London Readers Continue To Browse At A Bombed library, WWII
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.
Abandoned Cottage at The Kerry Way Walking Path Between Sneem And Kenmare in Ireland
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 IEPs 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!
The Remains Of The Pegasus in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
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.
An old Victorian Gothic Building Which Was Also A Hospital
The Manchester Convalescent Home or Barnes Hospital was completed in 1875 and can be noted as an example of gothic revival architecture. 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 euros, 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.
'Haunted House' Built in 1908 in Belgium
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.
Ryugyong Hotel – Pyongyang, North Korea
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 the outside.
Gulliver’s Travels Park – Kawaguchi, Japan
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.
Disney’s Discovery Island – Lake Buena Vista, Florida
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.
Aniva Rock Lighthouse – Sakhalinskaya Oblast, Russia
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.
Chateau Miranda – Celles, Belgium
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, so lots of people visit in search of ghosts and thrills.
Hashima Island, Japan
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.
City Hall Station – New York City, New York
This beautiful station is 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.
Holy Land USA – Waterbury, Connecticut
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.
Pripyat, Ukraine
In April 1986 a meltdown at the nuclear plant in Chornobyl caused a widespread disaster. Whole towns and cities were evacuated including the town of Pripyat in Ukraine. This was to try and stop the residents from 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 what a post-apocalyptic world might be like.
Abandoned Castle In Ireland Built in 1586
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.
St. Joseph Frozen Lighthouse on Lake Michigan
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 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!
Oodnadatta Track in South Australia
The Oodnadatta Track is a 383-mile-long road that 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.
Abandoned Power Plant – Belgium
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.
Abandoned Domino Sugar Factory — Brooklyn, New York
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.
Red Sands Sea Forts – Sealand, United Kingdom
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.
Dadipark – Dadizel, Belgium
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?
Military Hospital – Beelitz, Germany
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.
Częstochowa Train Depot – Poland
Częstochowa was once a thriving town, nestled between Russia and Poland. This was mainly 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.
Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Opened in 1829, the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia was one of the USA’s first modern prisons 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 gives it a creepy feel, and now as an abandoned building, you get that feeling twice as much.
Kolmanskop, Namibia
The town of Kolmanskop in Namibia benefited from the diamond rush in the early 1900s. During this time Germans 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 in the hope of finding a diamond in the ruff.
102-Year-Old Floating Forest in Sydney, Australia
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, as the other ships that were left alongside it.
The derelict vessels are offset by the growing trees which give an interesting juxtaposition, where the living meets the dead. It makes for a beautiful photograph.
House Of The Bulgarian Communist Party, Bulgaria
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 about restoring it to its former glory, but so far no work has commenced on rejuvenating the building.
Abandoned Mill, Italy
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.
Train Station, Abkhazia, Georgia
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.
El Hotel del Salto – Colombia
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 them.
The hotel stood empty and abandoned. The building is still there today and has a haunted quality to it.
Subway Tunnel in Kyiv, Ukraine
This image was taken from the inside of an abandoned subway tunnel which makes up part of the metro system in Kyiv, 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 Kyiv could take shelter in the tunnel system.
Submarine Base in Balaklava, Ukraine
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.
Church In The Snow, Canada
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.
Kennecott Concentration Mill in Alaska
The 14-story Kennecott concentration mill is one of many preserved buildings in the town of Kennecott, Alaska, which became a ghost town in 1938 when the Kennecott Copper Corporation left without notice, leaving everything behind.
This included buildings, personal belongings, and professional equipment. Nowadays, visitors can tour the ghost town to get a glimpse of what life in it was like and listen to fascinating stories.
Abandoned Railway Station in Spain
At the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees, within the village of Canfranc, lies an out-of-use railway station. The Canfranc International Railway Station operated between 1928 and 1970 and was once upon a time a hub for railway traffic between the Spanish and French borders. It was so big, it used to be referred to as the "Titanic of the Mountains."
After being shut down, it stood empty and neglected for over five decades. The good news? It's being renovated as we speak! Funding for the project was approved by the EU in 2020, and the wheels are in motion. Literally.
The Ruins of the Nakagusuku Hotel in Okinawa, Japan
This beautiful, abandoned place also has a spooky story behind it, so grab a seat by the figurative bonfire. The Nakagusuku hotel also named the Royal Hotel or Kogen Hotel, was in fact never completed. Its location was chosen due to the breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, but the owner refused to listen to warnings about the multitude of graves located across the hotel's construction site.
After quite a few mysterious accidents, workers refused to continue the construction, coming to believe the area was cursed.
The Bay of Abandoned Hotels in Croatia
This special abandoned place is rich in history. The Bay of Kupari used to be a fancy resort for military officers back in the 60s. Later on, in the 80s, it also opened its gates to wealthy tourists from overseas. But in 1991, after the onset of the Yugoslavian War, the resort suffered serious damage.
What was once a luxurious resort is now a bunch of half-ruined, empty, debris-filled buildings. The view of the Adriatic Sea is still spectacular, though.
Underwater Prison in Estonia
The Rummu Prison in Estonia is now an attraction for beachgoers, but it used to be home to laboring inmates, slaving away in the quarry adjacent to the prison. It was built by the Soviet Union in the 40s and abandoned in 1991 when Estonia got its independence back.
The water that seeped into the quarry created a lake, filling up and sinking many of the prison's facilities. If you go there today, you could still see parts of the old prison sticking out of the water. Oh, and you could also snorkel to see the underwater ruins.
The Hachigo Royal Hotel in Japan
This abandoned hotel is located on Hachijō-Jima island, not too far away from Tokyo. It opened in 1963 as a luxury hotel and went through quite a few sessions of closing and reopening throughout the years until it finally closed down in 2006.
Today, it sits empty amid overgrown greenery. Visitors still come to the island for its attractive diving spot, but that's pretty much the only reason you'll ever see any tourists on this tiny island.
Half-Sunken Church in Romania
This abandoned church in Geamăna, Rosia Montana is a sad but beautiful sight. At one point, the church had been flooded by a lake, so all one can see is its top half sticking out of the water.
Though the water surrounding it is polluted, it's hard to deny the beauty of the lake along with the surrounding trees and mountains. Makes you wonder what it was like for churchgoers back in the day.
A Ghost Town in Italy
Don't you just love ghost towns? Well, we do. There's just something about looking at old buildings and imagining the life people led there. The medieval ghost town of Craco is located on a hilltop in the Basilicata region in Italy, overlooking the Cavone river valley.
Due to its location in a seismically active region, the town was highly prone to natural disasters. In 1991, when a number of landslides threatened Carco, its people ran away, and the town remained unpopulated since.
An Abandoned Fishing Island in China
This picture was taken in the Houtouwan village, located on Shengshan island in China. The island used to be home to a lively community of fishermen, but nowadays it sits empty.
Its brick houses, formerly homes to people of the community, are now abandoned and almost entirely hidden by greenery. It's hard to imagine actual people living and working there, but once upon a time, that was the case.
The St. Nicholas Church in North Macedonia
The partially submerged St. Nicholas Church is located in the national park of Marvoro in North Macedonia, not next to, but inside the Marvoro Lake. This lake was artificially created in the 1940s when the Marvoro River was dammed, submerging some buildings in the area.
The St. Nicholas Church was the only one of those buildings to remain standing (well, kind of). The fact of it being submerged (or not) actually depends on the amount of rainfall the area gets. Surprisingly, when it's not submerged, people can come inside and have a look.
The Grand Theater in Lebanon
This formerly magnificent, abandoned theater, also called the Grand Théâtre des Mille et Une Nuits, is located in the city of Beirut in Lebanon. Built in the 1920s as part of a larger commercial center and featuring no less than 630 seats, it hosted both film productions and international performances from various countries, like the French Ballet des Champs-Elysées and legendary Egyptian singer Um Kalthoum.
In the image, one can see its uniquely decorated domed ceiling. During the Lebanese civil war, it suffered severe damage and went out of use.
Abandoned Village in St. Kilda, Scotland
The cleits (stone huts) in the image belong to the once-populated, medieval village of Hirta in the Scottish archipelago of St. Kilda located in the North Atlantic Ocean. The sea cliffs in Hirta are the highest ones in the entire United Kingdom.
The village was never packed with people: its number of residents varied between a few dozen and almost 200 residents for a few centuries. It was finally evacuated in 1930 due to illness brought by tourists and the First World War. Nevertheless, it remains a popular destination among scientists and conservation workers.
The Ghost Town of Berlin in Nevada
The Berlin, NV ghost town, built in the 1890s, is now part of the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park on Highway 50. A large portion of the town's buildings was preserved (not in top shape, obviously), as well as some old vehicles and other historic items.
This image shows an old car that we can only imagine was once driven by a former town resident.
The Kilchurn Castle in Scotland
The ruins of the Kilchurn Castle can be found in Loch Awe, Argyll, and Bute, Scotland. Built in the 15th century to serve as a base for the Scottish Clan Campbell, it was later abandoned by members of the clan and ruined by 1770.
During the summer, visitors can still come and explore the preserved site and see what's left of the castle, now belonging to the Historic Environment Scotland.
The Abandoned Village of Kayaköy in Turkey
In southwest Turkey, 8 km south of Fethiye, lies the now-empty village of Kayaköy. The village was almost entirely depopulated of its Greek residents during World War I, and a 1923 treaty between Turkey and Greece officially barred the former villagers from ever returning.
The preserved Kayaköy now serves as a museum village, filled with Greek houses and churches for tourists to explore.
The Hoyle Mansion in White Oaks, New Mexico
This abandoned mansion in White Oaks, New Mexico was built in 1983 by an owner of the Old Abe Mine. Legend has it that the man built this impressive Victorian building for his fiancée, but she broke his heart when she announced she wasn't coming to White Oaks after all.
He stopped the building soon after and never resumed it, leaving the inside of the mansion incomplete.
The Ghost Town of Calico in California
Calico used to be an active, up-and-running mining town in the country of San Bernadino, California. It was founded in 1881 only to be abandoned soon after, in the middle of the 1890s, after a major decrease in the value of silver.
In the 1950s, almost all buildings in the now-ghost-town were restored and it was officially defined as a historical landmark. Today, Calico continues to be a tourist attraction and offers restaurants, shops, hiking trails, and even camping sites.
The Tahawus Ghost Town in the Adirondacks
It turns out that other than the incredible view of blue lakes and green forests they offer, the Adirondack Mountains also have their very own ghost town called Tahawus. Ghost village, to be precise – and the home in the image is one of its abandoned buildings.
Founded in the 1820s for mining purposes, the village was abandoned by residents twice – once in 1858, and later again in 1989. Today, visitors can see the few remnants left of ghostly Tahawus.
All Saint's Abbey in the Black Forest in Germany
Amid the mesmerizing scenery of the Black Forest in Germany lie the ruins of All Saint's Abbey. The abbey was founded in 1192 and in time became one of the most important religious and cultural institutions in the area. Throughout the following centuries, big fires ruined parts of the abbey, until the final one in 1804 damaged it irreversibly.
If you visit the area today you could find a few other buildings surrounding the ruins of the abbey, among which are a chapel, a café, and a museum.
The Ta Prohm Temple in Cambodia
The Ta Prohm temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia was founded and built in the late 12th century as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university. What's unique about it is, it was preserved almost impeccably and is very similar today to what it looked like back then.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, it's a highly visited tourist site. Most of the temple complex has been restored and some parts have been thoroughly reconstructed. As the image shows, it blends in beautifully with the jungle around it.
The Bodiam Castle in England
This super ancient, lovely-looking castle was built in the 1380s by Sir Edward Dallingridge and his wife Elizabeth, who were both thoroughly immersed in the English high society of the time. Think "Bridgerton" but real. And a few centuries older.
While the inside of the medieval castle was ruined, its exteriors survived wonderfully, remaining a fascinating attraction for archeologists, and later on for tourists.
The City Methodist Church in Gary, Indiana
This abandoned church is all the rage among filmmakers! The City Methodist Church, located in Gary, Indiana, is a Gothic church sitting empty since the beginning of the 1970s. It may be a bit less of a historic relic compared to other buildings on this list, but Hollywood seems to think quite highly of it.
Movies like "Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Transformers 3" filmed scenes there, and they're definitely not the only ones.
The Bodie Ghost Town in California
The Bodie Ghost Town in California, which is in fact a state historic park, used to be a gold-mining town with a population of almost 10,000 people. The town was named after William Bodey, who found some gold near Mono Lake.
Presently, it's nothing but a tourist attraction, but a pretty decent one! In the image, you can see the general store of Bodie, preserved in tip-top shape.
The Bannerman Castle in New York State
This abandoned and ruined castle has a unique back story: it used to be a storage facility for weapons. Located on Pollepel Island in the Hudson River, New York, the Scottish-styled building is now owned by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
Most of it has been utterly ruined and neglected, except for the bits seen in the picture.
The Abandoned Burj Al Babas Resort in Turkey
This beautiful and abandoned site isn't as historic as most places mentioned here, as its construction only began in 2011.
It was meant to be an uber-luxurious project with a fairytale-like atmosphere inspired by European castles. However, due to numerous challenges, both legal and financial, it fell through, leaving behind a lovely ghost town of empty castles. So pretty, it hurts.
An Abandoned Spa in Romania
The historic Neptune Baths is a spa complex that was part of the Băile Herculane resort in Romania. The complex dates back to as early as 153 BC, and its current structure was built in the 1880s.
Many have enjoyed its facilities over the years, but it was abandoned in 1989, after the fall of communism in Romania, and it has been degrading further ever since. Although continuously decaying, remnants still indicate how majestic it once was.
The Ghost Town of Rhyolite in Nevada
Rhyolite, located not too far away from Las Vegas, was founded in 1905 as a gold mining camp and attracted numerous miners and gold seekers. But soon enough came the 1907 financial panic which damaged the biggest mine in the area, making many of Rhyolite's residents leave town.
It then became an attraction for tourists, as well as a popular place to shoot films. Just outside the ghost town lies the Goldwell Open Air Museum.
The Flooded Old Town of Kalyazin in Russia
The old town of Kalyazin was located on the Volga River, not far from Moscow. At the end of the 1930s, a large portion of the old town was flooded and submerged along with its major historical and architectural structures, due to the building of Uglich Dam.
The image shows the Kalayzin Bell Tower, a Neoclassical campanile that remained unruined and stands as a reminder of what the area used to look like.
The Abandoned Town of Umm el Howeitat in Egypt
At the beginning of the 20th century, the phosphate mining town Umm el Howeitat was founded near the port city of Safaga. By 1910, the town was already up and running with houses, hospitals, schools, shops, and mosques, reaching a not-too-shabby number of 16,000 residents.
In 1996, a major flood damaged the town heavily, resulting in mines closing down and residents moving out. It was ultimately abandoned altogether in 2000, and nowadays it's a ghost town visited by tourists.
A Partially Submerged Bell Tower in Graun, Italy
When the local power company decided to build a dam near the Italian-Swiss border, where the towns of Graun and Reschen were located, residents of both towns objected, but to no avail. So, an artificial lake was created, ultimately submerging both towns in 1950.
The one structure to remain above water was Graun's bell tower, seen in the image. It's pretty unfathomable to think that the beautiful lake in the picture has two whole towns buried underneath it.
A Replica of Paris in China
In 2007, the construction of a Chinese community meant to replicate Paris began in Hangzhou, the capital of the Zhejiang province in east China. The Paris-like Tianducheng neighborhood, made out of Parisian-styled apartment buildings, was built around a 354 ft replica of the Eiffel Tower.
It never turned into the real-estate success its creators dreamed it to be. Instead, it ended up becoming somewhat of a ghost neighborhood with vegetable fields surrounding the tower and barely any residents in its buildings.
The Mysterious "Ponyhenge" in Lincoln, Massachusetts
This one is not your usual beautiful abandoned place, but it still fits the bill and is rather intriguing. From 2010 to this very day, more and more plastic ponies and toy horses have been appearing on a lonely patch of grass in Lincoln, Massachusetts, referred to as the "Ponyhenge."
No one really knows how they keep getting there and who has been rearranging them every now and then, but the whole thing has become a real source of interest and enjoyment for both locals and out-of-towners.
The Ghost Town of Varoshia in Cyprus
In the 70s, the town of Varoshia, located in the Famagusta district in Cyprus, was a highly popular resort, both for in-country tourists and tourists from overseas. Today, though, Varoshia's beautiful beaches remain largely unvisited. What happened, then?
The Turkish army gained control over it and has been holding it captive, empty of residents since 1974. It's sad to think no one can enjoy it anymore.
The Chicken Church in Indonesia
Gereja Ayam, translating to "chicken church" in English, is a famous abandoned church in Magelang, Indonesia. Originally, its builder meant for it to look like a dove, but most people think it looks like a chicken – hence its nickname.
It was built in the 90s to serve as a place of prayer for people from all religions, but its construction was stopped in 2000 before it was completed. Today, the incomplete church structure is quite the attraction for tourists, wedding photographers, and even movies.
The Abandoned Water Park in Vietnam
Ho Thuy Tien is an abandoned water park located in the jungle near the Vietnamese town of Huong Thuy. The park was meant to be a big deal, and no less than 3 million dollars have been put into its construction. But things fell through – it opened to the general public in 2004 when it was only partially complete, and for some reason, it wasn't greeted with much enthusiasm among potential visitors.
Long story short – as an abandoned amusement park, it actually became quite popular among travelers, who often come to check out the broken rides and out-of-control weeds.
The Crystal Palace Subway in London, England
The Crystal Palace Subway is a beautiful relic from the 19th century. The station was built to allow passengers to visit the Crystal Palace, which was somewhat of an olden-day Disneyland. But after the Crystal Palace was burned to the ground in 1936, there was very little use to the station.
Many of its surroundings were ruined in the following years, but the station remained standing to this day. It still has a devoted fan base, and it turns out that it's finally being restored, and should open to the public very soon!
Olympic Stadiums in Athens, Greece
When Greece hosted the Olympics in 2004, it made a huge financial investment in everything that had to do with the monumental event. The Government spared nothing and created a spectacular Olympic park.
Hosting the games was so costly — with Greece building most of the stadiums specifically for the Olympic games — that the country couldn't afford to continue to invest in their upkeep after the games had ended. Now, most of these stadiums are empty and abandoned.
An Abandoned Airport in Nicosia, Cyprus
The passenger departure waiting area seen in the picture is part of the abandoned Nicosia International Airport in Cyprus. It went out of use when heavy fighting took place in the area between Greek Cypriot and the Turkish army in 1974, and never went back into use since.
Since the ceasefire that year, the airport was defined as part of the UN Controlled Buffer Zone between Turkey and Cyprus. It later became the UN peace-keeping mission headquarters in Cyprus and started hosting peace talks.
The Island of the Dolls in Mexico City
This rather creepy (but still beautiful) abandoned island in New Mexico is surely one worth mentioning here. La Isla de Las Muñecas (Spanish for 'Island of the Dolls') was once owned by a man named Julián Santana Barrera. At some point in the 50s, dolls started appearing around the island.
Santana believed they were there to help chase away the spirit of a girl who drowned on the Island (we told you it was creepy). After he passed away, the island became an attraction for tourists. Other than numerous dolls, it also has a small museum.