Humberstone (Chile)
Humberstone, located in Chile, is an abandoned town that represents a testimony to the country’s industrial and saltpeter past. Founded in the late 19th century, it was a prosperous saltpeter mining town with a growing population of workers and their families. It had schools, theaters, churches and even a swimming pool. However, with the decline of the saltpeter industry and the introduction of new technologies, Humberstone began to lose its relevance and was abandoned in the 1960s. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an industrial museum that allows visitors to explore its ruined structures and learn about its saltpeter past.
Agdam (Azerbaijan)
Agdam, located in Azerbaijan, is an abandoned city that bears the scars of a devastating conflict. Formerly a thriving town in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, during the Azerbaijani-Armenian war in the 1990s, it was occupied and destroyed by Armenian forces. The population of Agdam was forced to abandon the town, which was left in ruins and desolate. Today, Agdam is known as the «Hiroshima of the Caucasus», with destroyed buildings and a harrowing atmosphere reminiscent of the aftermath of the war and territorial disputes in the region.
Al-Ula (Saudi Arabia)
The abandoned city of Al-Ula, located in Saudi Arabia, is a historical and cultural treasure that has witnessed centuries of civilization. Its stunning desert landscapes are dotted with ancient tombs, petroglyphs and rock-cut Nabataean settlements. Of particular note is the city of Madain Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its monumental tombs and unique reliefs. Al-Ula is also home to the ancient city of Dadan, an important commercial and religious center of antiquity.
Animas Forks (United States)
Animas Forks, located in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, United States, is an abandoned town that offers a glimpse into the past of the Wild West. Founded in the 1870s as a thriving silver mining camp, the town reached its heyday in the 1880s. It boasted stores, hotels, schools and even a newspaper. However, with the decline of the mining industry, the town began to depopulate and was abandoned in the early 20th century.
Balestrino (Italy)
Balestrino, located in Italy, is an abandoned village that evokes a mysterious and melancholic atmosphere. This ancient medieval town is located in the Liguria region and was gradually abandoned throughout the 19th century due to unstable terrain and landslides. The cobblestone streets and the ruins of the old houses and buildings have been reclaimed by nature, creating a fascinating landscape. Despite its abandonment, Balestrino continues to attract curious visitors and history lovers, who can explore its narrow alleys and admire the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Hashima Island (Japan)
Hashima Island, also known as Gunkanjima, is a small abandoned island located off the coast of Nagasaki, Japan. For much of the 20th century, the island was a thriving coal mining center, becoming one of the most densely populated places in the world. However, with the decline of the coal industry, the island was abandoned in 1974. Today, Hashima’s crumbling structures and abandoned buildings attract tourists, who can explore its deserted streets and get a unique glimpse of an abandoned industrial community in the middle of the sea.
Kadykchan (Russia)
Kadykchan, located in Russia, is an abandoned town that represents the legacy of the mining industry and economic collapse in the region. Founded in the 1930s, it was a prosperous coal mining settlement in the Magadan region. However, with the decline of the industry and the depletion of the deposits, the town began to lose its vitality. In the 1990s, most residents left Kadykchan due to lack of economic opportunities. Today, the town lies in ruins and nature has reclaimed much of its space, leaving a desolate landscape that shows the consequences of deindustrialization.
Kayakoy (Turkey)
Kayaköy, located in Turkey, is an abandoned town that tells a story of cultural mixing and uprooting. Formerly known as Levissi, it was a thriving Greek community with a rich history dating back to Byzantine times. However, after the Greek-Turkish war of 1919-1922 and the exchange of population, the Greeks were expelled and the town was abandoned. Today, Kayaköy is a popular tourist destination, with its ancient ruined stone houses offering a glimpse into history and the opportunity to explore the region’s multicultural past.
Craco (Italy)
Craco, located in the Basilicata region of Italy, is an abandoned town with a captivating history. This ancient city was founded in the 8th century and features unique medieval architecture, with cobblestone streets, churches and castles. However, due to problems of soil erosion and natural disasters, such as earthquakes and landslides, the population was forced to abandon the town in the 1960s. Despite its abandonment, Craco has been the setting for several film productions and has become a tourist attraction, fascinating visitors with its melancholic atmosphere and the ruins of a past full of history.
Kennecott (United States)
Kennecott, located in Alaska, USA, is an abandoned town with a fascinating history. It emerged in the early 20th century as a thriving copper mining camp. The Kennecott mine was one of the largest and richest in the world, attracting thousands of workers and their families. The town boasted a school, hospital, stores and even a tennis court. However, falling copper prices led to the mine’s closure in the 1930s, and the town was abandoned.
Kolmanskop (Namibia)
Kolmanskop, located in the Namib Desert, Namibia, is an abandoned town that tells a story of wealth and decadence. Founded in the early 20th century due to the discovery of diamonds, it became a thriving mining town. German settlers built luxurious mansions, a casino, a school and even an ice skating rink. However, with the depletion of the diamond deposits, the town began to decline and was abandoned in the 1950s.
Oradour-sur-Glane (France)
Oradour-sur-Glane, located in France, is an abandoned town that carries with it the grim memory of World War II. In 1944, during the Nazi occupation, the town was the scene of a brutal massacre in which more than 600 inhabitants, including men, women and children, were killed. As a memorial to the horror, the decision was made not to rebuild the town, leaving its ruins as a permanent testimony. Today, Oradour-sur-Glane has become a memorial site, visited by people from all over the world to honor the victims and remember the horrors of war.
Plymouth (Montserrat)
Plymouth, located on the island of Montserrat, is an abandoned town that was buried by the devastating volcanic eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano in 1995. Before the eruption, it was the capital and economic center of Montserrat. However, the volcanic activity forced the evacuation of the population and the city was submerged in ash and lava. Today, Plymouth is known as the «Ghost City of the Caribbean». Its streets and buildings are covered in rubble and the city is under an exclusion zone, a grim reminder of the force of nature and the lasting impact of natural disasters.
Ross Island (India)
Ross Island, located in the Andaman Islands of India, is an abandoned town that carries with it British colonial history. During British rule, the island was the administrative headquarters of the Andaman Islands and was known as the «Paris of the East». It boasted luxurious mansions, churches, a social club and a hospital. However, after suffering damage during the 1941 earthquake and World War II, the town was abandoned. Today, Ross Island is a tourist attraction with its overgrown ruins, which tell a colonial-era story and offer a fascinating glimpse into the past.
Virginia City (United States)
Virginia City, located in Nevada, United States, is an abandoned town that evokes the gold rush and frontier era. Founded in 1859, the town became a thriving mining center during the silver rush. Its cobblestone streets, Victorian-style buildings and history-filled saloons transport visitors back in time. Virginia City was home to famous characters such as Mark Twain and was the site of the Comstock Lode, one of the world’s largest silver bonanzas. Today, tourists can explore its mines, museums and enjoy themed events that bring its glorious past to life.
