ADVERTISEMENT

Our fascination with architecture runs deep. We pay attention to the structures around us because of the way it shapes our experiences and tells stories about the culture. To really understand our environment, we can explore cities by strolling down the main streets and learning about history by admiring famous landmarks. For some of us, however, the view from the bottom and from a safe distance is simply not enough.

So today, we’re giving center stage to people who yearn for adventure and choose the path less traveled. We’re talking about urban exploration, often referred to as urbex, that attracts artists and thrill-seekers who wish to document the gradual process of architectural decay. They traverse through buildings full of wrecks and ruin, finding buzz and inspiration in the forgotten structures and the stories they tell.

Let us introduce you to the 'Abandoned Beauties' Facebook page, dedicated to sharing captivating images of deserted places and objects. Both past and present. We have gathered a collection of breathtaking photos that capture the essence of the uncanny and undiscovered wilds that aren’t generally seen by the public. So continue scrolling, hit upvote your favorite ones, and let us know if they encouraged you to go on a real-life adventure!

Psst! After you’re done admiring the pictures, be sure to check out Part 1 of this feature right here.

#1

400 Yo Yew Tree In Muckross Abbey, Ireland

400 Yo Yew Tree In Muckross Abbey, Ireland

Abandoned Beauties Report

Add photo comments
POST
sarahmessiter avatar
Laroo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Muckross Abbey is neither abandoned nor forgotten. Its just not used as an Abbey anymore. It’s a tourist attraction. It’s free to visit and open year round!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

Polar Bears At An Abandoned Soviet Weather Station On Kolyuchin Island

Polar Bears At An Abandoned Soviet Weather Station On Kolyuchin Island

Abandoned Beauties Report

Janine Pendleton, a photographer and creator of Obsidian Urbex Photography, told Bored Panda that her interest in documenting derelict buildings started in August 2015 with an impromptu trip to an abandoned theme park near her hometown.

"I used to go here as a kid with my parents, so seeing its dilapidated and desolate state some 15 years later struck a chord somewhere inside me," she revealed. "I was instantly hooked! I spent the rest of 2015 trawling the UK in search of abandoned places, making new friends along the way." Later on, when she had her first trip to Europe in the spring of 2016, her hobby started to escalate and she never looked back.

Janine now travels the world to look for mysterious and other-worldly places, hoping to find an opportunity to capture stunning pictures and share them with everyone online. From the eerie aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster to the captivating abandoned places in Pennsylvania, she has seen it all.

#4

Abandoned House In The Republic Of Karelia, Russia

Abandoned House In The Republic Of Karelia, Russia

Abandoned Beauties Report

Add photo comments
POST
sarahmessiter avatar
Laroo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Abandoned yes, forgotten? No. There’s a track going around the house.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

"Quite simply, I find a lot of beauty in natural decay. No two buildings decline in exactly the same way," the photographer added. "It is always interesting to see what happens to these places when they are neglected and forgotten. Visiting [them] is like stepping back in time. You get a glimpse of a time decades in the past."

She pointed out that even when you enter the space for a fleeting moment, your own journey and that of the abandoned place are aligned as you explore. "With a click of the shutter, you capture the state of a building at a single point in time."

"With digital photography, that moment can be preserved (in theory) forever. It is rendered as millions of pixels, uploaded to computers and servers. That single snap can be shared with people all over the world through the internet and social media. In this way, these places and moments can live long after a building (and even the photographer) is gone," she said.

#6

Dunalastair Castle, Scotland

Dunalastair Castle, Scotland

Abandoned Beauties Report

#8

An Abandoned Victorian Home Has Been Dramatically Restored In Rarden, Ohio, USA

An Abandoned Victorian Home Has Been Dramatically Restored In Rarden, Ohio, USA

It was built in 1900 by Lafayette Taylor who made his fortune mining sandstone and milling lumber in the Rarden area. Rarden has a population of just 159 people. Top taken in 1973, bottom taken in 2013

Abandoned Beauties Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

We also managed to get in touch with Ola and Arek, a couple extremely passionate about history, photography, and running their blog called Urbex Travel. The duo explained they got into urban exploration because of an old gasworks in their neighborhood. "We were watching this place every day and wanted to get inside," they told us.

One day, they woke up at 4 AM, took a ladder, and just climbed over the wall. They had to run very quickly to avoid bumping into the security guard, but once they managed to get inside, the building and what they saw was astonishing. "Many people think there is nothing interesting in the empty places, but they are wrong. Well-preserved architecture which reminds us of the 19th century ... made us want to see more places like this," they noted, adding that this is how their love for the hobby started.

Ola and Arek explained that urbexing is a specific pursuit that is a fusion of a passion for history, travel, and photography. "There is a story connected with each facility and events [that influenced] the fate of their inhabitants," the couple added. "Nowadays, these people may be no longer in this world, but the buildings are the silent witnesses."

ADVERTISEMENT

"We can see how various architectural styles intertwine and how the former industrial kings competed in the markets all over the world. In the halls, you seem to be listening to working machines, and the air still is filled with the smell of grease and steam," they continued. "It is fascinating to be able to touch upon this story that was happening right where we are."

#12

A 14th Century Abandoned Castle In Scotland

A 14th Century Abandoned Castle In Scotland

Abandoned Beauties Report

Add photo comments
POST
sarahmessiter avatar
Laroo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Castle Stalker in Loch Laich. Again: not abandoned or forgotten. You can visit it! It’s very nice inside (set up so you can see how people lived there in the past), even has electricity.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

Abandoned Castle In Italy

Abandoned Castle In Italy

Abandoned Beauties Report

Add photo comments
POST
zselyke_szekely avatar
UpupaEpops
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Castle of Sammezzano, is an Italian palazzo in Tuscany featuring Moorish Revival architectural style. It is located in Leccio, a hamlet of Reggello, in the Province of Florence. -Wikipedia

View more commentsArrow down menu

Janine seems to share their devotion to urban exploration. "I spent most weekends and literally all of my holiday allowance from work traveling and exploring all over the world," she revealed. "I think something inside us all wonders what the world would look like if all the humans suddenly disappeared, leaving nature to reclaim the planet and out man-made trapping. I think these abandoned places give us a glimpse of that."

But while venturing into decayed buildings is a fun, exciting, and educational experience, it also comes with some risks. People are often eager to rush off to uncharted wilds of forgotten places and forget to think about their own safety. "The most important thing when embarking on anything potentially dangerous, including exploring derelict buildings, is to always be aware of your surroundings," Janine advised. "Check and double-check floors and ceilings for signs of instability, and if in doubt, always take another route."

ADVERTISEMENT
#15

Lennox Hospital, Glasgow

Lennox Hospital, Glasgow

Abandoned Beauties Report

Add photo comments
POST
ignaciocuadra avatar
otplus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that looks like the origin place of several victorian era lab monsters

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Md-160 “Lun” Class Soviet Ekranoplan

Md-160 “Lun” Class Soviet Ekranoplan

Abandoned Beauties Report

When asked about some of the main rules to know before getting into exploring abandoned places, Janine explained that different groups of people have their own code of conduct and acceptable limits for what lengths they are willing to go to to get inside a building. "I would (hope to) say the vast majority, including myself, are entirely against any form of theft or causing damage of any kind."

"The rather cliche over-quoted 'Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints' is something you will hear often in association with this hobby," the photographer mentioned. "In essence, my advice is whatever you do in life, you need to be prepared for the consequences of your actions and follow your own moral compass."

#19

Amazing 19th Century Staircase On An Abandoned Building

Amazing 19th Century Staircase On An Abandoned Building

Abandoned Beauties Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#20

Entrance Of An Abandoned Castle, France

Entrance Of An Abandoned Castle, France

Abandoned Beauties Report

Ola and Arek added that those considering getting into urbexing must not let the place be ruined or wrecked by vandals. "To get inside the object, we never force ourselves. There will always be an entrance, but you are not allowed to break windows or break locks," the pair explained. "If we were to do something like that, then it would be an ordinary break-in, not urbex."

They asked you to remember that even the most spectacular places can be visited, but they often require a permit. "If you see an object like Kelenföld Power Plant or Óbuda Gas Works, don't even try to get there in your own way. There is always a security guard who may catch you. There is also the risk of destroying beautiful places like this."

#22

Mcdermott's Castle, Abandoned Fairytale Irish Castle In The Middle Of A Lake, County Roscommon, Ireland

Mcdermott's Castle, Abandoned Fairytale Irish Castle In The Middle Of A Lake, County Roscommon, Ireland

Abandoned Beauties Report

Add photo comments
POST
maggieodowd avatar
Michelle Kozac
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Outside of my town of Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Featured in the tv series 'Moone Boy' with Chris O' Dowd.

raquel-nassau avatar
RaqJT
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My family castle on my maternal grandfather’s side ❤️ I’ve been there (not TO the castle, but across the lake)

kathrynbaylis_2 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like there’s a sinkhole in front of it? Could that be the reason it’s abandoned?

ktigress avatar
K Tigress
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kind of looks like it was originally built on a old meteor crater.

odietamo012291 avatar
Jan Eivroc
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks so good! It's like a ship floating on top of gray clouds lol Hope this gets restored!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Abandoned Villa With Sea View

Abandoned Villa With Sea View

Abandoned Beauties Report

"Many people often even unknowingly contribute to the destruction and theft of these amazing places," they said. "First of all, you cannot take 'souvenirs' because it is the most ordinary theft and losing the idea of ​​exploring an abandoned place. We only take with us a camera full of photos and a head full of memories of a fantastic trip."

#24

Abandoned 19th Century Greenhouse, France

Abandoned 19th Century Greenhouse, France

Abandoned Beauties Report

#25

Abandoned Chapel In France

Abandoned Chapel In France

Abandoned Beauties Report

Add photo comments
POST
spoot avatar
Nimues Child
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looked perfectly intact until I scrolled down to see the foliage.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

Abandoned Villa Zanelli, Built In 1907 Savona, Italy

Abandoned Villa Zanelli, Built In 1907 Savona, Italy

Abandoned Beauties Report

This is one of the reasons why some photographers are hesitant to reveal details about the precise locations of their taken pictures. This way, they prevent dozens of visitors from rushing to the place and protect the locations and objects from vandalism. Janine explained she avoids sharing information about specific places with people she doesn’t personally know. "In recent years, this hobby has gained attention and more people seek pretty locations to fill their Instagram feeds or YouTube channels. The more people that visit, the greater the chance of theft and damage. Likewise, the arrival of frequent visitors is more likely to draw the attention of locals," she wrote. "When suspicions are raised in these ways, locations soon get sealed."

#27

End Of Line

End Of Line

Abandoned Beauties Report

#29

Raniji Ki Baori Or "Queen's Stepwell" Was Built In 1699 By Rani Nathavati Ji, Who Was The Younger Queen Of The Ruling Rao Raja Anirudh Singh Of Bundi In India

Raniji Ki Baori Or "Queen's Stepwell" Was Built In 1699 By Rani Nathavati Ji, Who Was The Younger Queen Of The Ruling Rao Raja Anirudh Singh Of Bundi In India

Abandoned Beauties Report

See Also on Bored Panda

When it comes to snapping stunning pictures that evoke a sense of mystery and uncovering past secrets, Janine explained that abandoned places often tend to be darker than we expect. "Firstly, ensure you bring a torch for safety (and a backup!). Additionally, you might want to bring a tripod to mount your camera/phone on. You can use a torch to light up a dark room, but you will often get a nicer photo using the natural light if you use a tripod and a slow shutter speed (long exposure)," she advised.

#30

Navigator's Position On A Tu-104 Ok-Ldc In Petrovice, Czech Republic

Navigator's Position On A Tu-104 Ok-Ldc In Petrovice, Czech Republic

Abandoned Beauties Report

Add photo comments
POST
2010fredmabbutt avatar
Cat the rat queen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m just getting Star Wars vibes from this and I bit of final space “Hue light-fold the engines”

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

Abandoned House In South Tyrol, Italy

Abandoned House In South Tyrol, Italy

Abandoned Beauties Report

Add photo comments
POST
zeljkoklaric78_1 avatar
Bernd Herbert
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow...what a pity. South Tyrol is awesome and that mansion could be really great

View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

In Russia: The Factory Is Located Next To A Marble Quarry, The Extraction Of Stone From Which Began As Early As 1768

In Russia: The Factory Is Located Next To A Marble Quarry, The Extraction Of Stone From Which Began As Early As 1768

Then the marble from the quarry was intended for the construction of St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Since then, the history of the factory, full of ups and downs, began. Having lost state orders, at various times the factory produced decorative stone chips, lime and gravel. The owners changed rapidly, for some time it was even rented by the Finns, and therefore marble from this quarry can be found in the facing of several Finnish buildings.⠀

In 1895, the first furnaces for burning marble and getting lime were equipped here. The stone was blown up and then crushed with sledgehammers into small pieces. The marble was lifted up on winches with trolleys and then pushed by hand to the stoves.⠀

In 1960, the factory began to specialize in the production of decorative crushed stone and lime. Crushed stone was used to decorate buildings throughout the Soviet Union, and lime was used by collective farms for liming soils.⠀

With the onset of the 90s, the kilns were extinguished forever, and in the early 2000s, on the site of the former quarry, which turned into a picturesque turquoise lake, the Gorny Park was created, which has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in northwestern Russia. Near the park, the same kilns have survived, the territory of which has now been cleared and gradually beautified, planning to create a full-fledged tourist facility and attach it to the park.

Abandoned Beauties Report

Add photo comments
POST
lyuben-petko avatar
Lyuben Petkov
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

like fairy tale, imagine this place as scene in the movie The fall (by Tarsem)

View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 72 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.