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There’s something so eerie and breathtaking about the places that haven’t seen a human for longer than they can remember. Sadly, in our increasingly urbanized world, there are not many corners left like this.

So today, we are taking you on a walk through the mysterious abandoned places where time stands still, and where yesterday and tomorrow don't exist. From ghost-like factories, ships, castles, islands, pools, and highways, below is a breath-taking collection that proves no force is as strong as that of nature. If left untouched, it swallows everything it crosses and that’s the whole beauty of it!

Scroll down, upvote your favorite ones, and be sure to check out more eerie pictures of abandoned places from this awesome subreddit with a whopping 1.4M followers!

We live in times of rapid urbanization. In fact, it's projected that by 2050, more than two-thirds of the world population will live in urban areas. With a whopping population of 7.9 billion, it seems like no place on Earth is left untouched by humans. But as that likely will be the prospect in the coming century, today at least, we still have some no man’s lands and abandoned places to visit.

#4

Abandoned Winter Garden Of An Abandoned Mansion, France

Abandoned Winter Garden Of An Abandoned Mansion, France

Abandoned_World Report

#5

Very Impressive Abandoned Lighthouse (Aniva Lighthouse, Russia)

Very Impressive Abandoned Lighthouse (Aniva Lighthouse, Russia)

lochanakalana Report

#6

The Beautiful Dietla Palace - Sosnowiec - Poland

The Beautiful Dietla Palace - Sosnowiec - Poland

Architechn Report

“Abandoned spaces are eerily fascinating to us because they bring human culture and nature together in unexpected ways,” Lisa Yaszek, a Regents Professor of Science Fiction Studies at Georgia Tech, told Bored Panda. Lisa researches and teaches science fiction as a global language crossing centuries, continents, and cultures.

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She explained further: “We tend to think of humans as active and nature as passive, and we assume that the monuments and cities we build by manipulating the material world and separating ourselves from nature will last forever.”

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#9

Most Impressive Ceiling I Have Encountered In An Abandoned Building

Most Impressive Ceiling I Have Encountered In An Abandoned Building

Abandoned_World Report

It turns out that our fascination with abandoned places may come from the fact that they “remind us that nature is also an active force that moves in strong, slow, and persistent rhythms that differ from but intersect with cycles of human time.”

“In short, these places remind us that humans exist in larger webs of being, and that we might not be the most powerful thing around. It’s both a humbling and exhilarating recognition—we are not alone here on Earth,” Lisa explained.

#10

Imperial Staircase Inside An Abandoned 18th-Century Palace

Imperial Staircase Inside An Abandoned 18th-Century Palace

explorationofdecay Report

#11

An Abandoned Shopping Mall Is Taken Over By Fish

An Abandoned Shopping Mall Is Taken Over By Fish

ducktapepictures Report

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Kira Okah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No they weren't. The flooded building became a breeding ground for mosquitoes so the locals introduced fish to the water to eat the larvae.

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#12

Abandoned Spaceship Ropeway, Japan

Abandoned Spaceship Ropeway, Japan

robinsche Report

Moreover, according to the professor, abandoned objects and places are also appealing because they invite imaginative play. “When we see worlds collide like this, we can’t help but wonder: what happened? How did things get this way? Then we get to exercise our deductive and storytelling abilities as we piece together clues to answer our own questions. Sometimes we do this for the sheer fun of it all.”

Lisa continued: “and other times, images of discarded objects and decaying places can even get us thinking about how we can make imaginative but real change in the real world: what economic, political, and social arrangements caused this to happen? How can I work with other like-minded people to make sure that doesn’t happen in my own part of the world?”

#13

Abandoned Train

Abandoned Train

airborneANDrowdy Report

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Ksenia M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

knew it looked familiar! That's in Russia, Permsky Krai, Shumkovo. Officially the trains are not abandoned, they've been left on those tracks for conservation after WWII as an emergency reserve in case of a new war. USSR fell, the trains were no longer needed, security was mosly removed. There are quite a few of them there, some are old, some are newer, some are even open. There's another currenly functioning train 'parking lot' (what's the word in English? it's like a winter base?) nearby. Some old trains have been recently removed but most are still there, it's a rather popular destination for photographers and fans of adandoned locations.

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Kevin Warner
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wish they would make USE of the materials since they were refined and shaped to begin with

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Seabeast
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are railway preservation enthusiasts who would love to get their hands on these.

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Tony Gong
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is from the Soviet Union I think cuz there is a star at the front

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Kanga9ine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought I could I thought I could. Karma will get Thomas. Just you wait.

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Sheila Stamey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sleeping Beauty and the train 🚂...new fairytale. Must write!

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I I
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the scrap man wouldve had that if it was in my area

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Monkey Love
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A whole m***a f__kin train. You're really going to get out of a whole ass train and forget where you parked it? This is just bizarre to me.

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Ksenia M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i'd guesss, it wasn't forgotten, it was decomissioned and left to rot because dealing with taking it apart is more expensive than the parts you'll be able to sell

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#14

Abandoned Restaurant In Victorville, California

Abandoned Restaurant In Victorville, California

Ed Freeman Report

#15

Bob Jagendorf: Detroit Train Station

Bob Jagendorf: Detroit Train Station

ElectronicRhubarb841 Report

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spirit wolf
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Has a very Grand Budapest vibe to it, someone please pour some pastel paint on it and serve some Courtesan au Chocolat.

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#16

Bethlehem Steel, The Factory That Built NYC

Bethlehem Steel, The Factory That Built NYC

urbexandchill Report

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Kristine Scott
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Bethlehem, its a monument to our past. That portion was left on purpose or can we say recycled as living history. There is a trellis you can walk where you can learn the history of the Beth steel and how it build this country not just NYC. If you are from this area for more than one generation likely someone in your family worked at the Steel. For me: my dad, uncle, grandmother and great uncle to name a few.

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#17

Abandoned Indigenous House In Papua New Guinea

Abandoned Indigenous House In Papua New Guinea

Redd1tor_ Report

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Tomáš Houdek
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen documentary about a tribe that builds houses like this. They build it incredibly fast (few days). Whole tribe lives there including little kids, they can even make fire on stone foundation without worry as the wood used to build this is so hard it doesnt burn.

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#18

Former Hydraulic Laboratory At Cornell University

Former Hydraulic Laboratory At Cornell University

corneliusvancornell Report

#19

King Alfred's Tower, Somerset County

King Alfred's Tower, Somerset County

lochanakalana Report

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Robert T
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't exactly abandoned as it was never lived in. It is what is known as a folly. A lawn ornament for ridicously wealthy aristocrats. This one has been featured on BP before.

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#20

Abandoned Psychiatric Hospital

Abandoned Psychiatric Hospital

theshutteredworld Report

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Jody Brown
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one would be super creepy to run through, especially at midnight on Halloween.

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#21

My Great Great Great Grandfather Built This House

My Great Great Great Grandfather Built This House

ThermalScrewed Report

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Shona
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow thats a cute little house, just pop it on the top of a hill!

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#22

Electric Car Company Lot Left To Rot After Bankruptcy

Electric Car Company Lot Left To Rot After Bankruptcy

WideEyes369 Report

#23

Moorehall, House And Estate Built 1795 In Mayo, Ireland. It Burnt Down 1923 During The Irish Civil War And Has Been Abandoned Ever Since

Moorehall, House And Estate Built 1795 In Mayo, Ireland. It Burnt Down 1923 During The Irish Civil War And Has Been Abandoned Ever Since

westcoastcdn19 Report

#24

Flooded Church In The City Petrolândia State Of Pernambuco Brazil

Flooded Church In The City Petrolândia State Of Pernambuco Brazil

TheBoom1001 Report

#25

Abandoned Chuck E. Cheese Animatronic Found In A Landfill

Abandoned Chuck E. Cheese Animatronic Found In A Landfill

Import Report

#26

Staircase In Derelict

Staircase In Derelict

WideEyes369 Report

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#27

"Michelangelo da Vinci" Restaurant In Italy That Was Closed In 2014

"Michelangelo da Vinci" Restaurant In Italy That Was Closed In 2014

EnigmaQQ Report

#29

Military Housing In NJ

Military Housing In NJ

urbexandchill Report

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Psycho Cat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's amazing to see numerous abandoned houses in the US and numerous homeless people who cannot resolve their homeless problem, because they can't find work because they're homeless. Ah, the irony.

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#30

Old Tanks Left Underwater

Old Tanks Left Underwater

zem204 Report

#31

Abandoned Airplane

Abandoned Airplane

Perfect_Gas Report

#32

Nature Takes Over This Abandoned Industrial Building But Adds A Rooftop Pool

Nature Takes Over This Abandoned Industrial Building But Adds A Rooftop Pool

modianos Report

#34

An Abandoned School In Taiwan

An Abandoned School In Taiwan

JoeyKaotykGWC Report

#35

Neat Reflections Inside An Abandoned Factory

Neat Reflections Inside An Abandoned Factory

abandoned_adventures Report

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Skyler Sage Tang
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know why... but this reminds something from my childhood that is buried right there. This gave me so many emotions for no reason at all.

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#36

Graveyard Of Disused Ships

Graveyard Of Disused Ships

MathDant Report

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Jody Brown
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"my name is Boat and wen im tired (but shipping werk is still required) then all I want is lyttle snooze i turn to side i blok the Sooz" by @krfabian

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#37

Found On A Hike Through The Woods In The Middle Of Nowhere, West Virginia. Nothing Else Around, No Buildings Anywhere

Found On A Hike Through The Woods In The Middle Of Nowhere, West Virginia. Nothing Else Around, No Buildings Anywhere

BootyIsAsBootyDo Report

#38

This Was Once Someone's Home

This Was Once Someone's Home

Rfdshir Report

#39

Looking Down An Abandoned ICBM Silo In Russia

Looking Down An Abandoned ICBM Silo In Russia

Beneficial-Cucumber1 Report

#40

Failed Housing Project Outside Of Tehran

Failed Housing Project Outside Of Tehran

JohnnyShadows Report

Note: this post originally had 68 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.