Amazing ruins where nature has taken over

The places where nature rules

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From prehistoric settlements and wonders of the ancient world to classical palaces and entire cities, some of the planet’s most amazing sights haven fallen victim to the forces of nature. Some were beaten into oblivion by severe weather and others were simply abandoned by their human inhabitants, allowing nature to run its course. Here, we pick some of the world's most fascinating spots, all but forgotten by mankind, but ravaged by Mother Nature.

Poenari Castle, Romania

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This eerie abandoned castle, high in the mountains of northwestern Romania, once belonged to Vlad III Dracula – or Vlad the Impaler. The notorious Wallachian ruler, whose name was later adopted by Bram Stoker for his famous Gothic horror novel, favored the 13th-century citadel for its lofty location and defensive potential.

Poenari Castle, Romania

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However, when Vlad the Impaler died in the 15th century, his castle quickly began to crumble, and a landslide in 1888 caused even more damage. Today the ruins remain, weatherbeaten and tucked amid sprawling forestland. They can be reached via an arduous climb of almost 1,500 steps but the views over this remote part of Romania's Argeș County are spectacular.

Bankhead ghost town, Canada

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Canada is peppered with abandoned mining towns given up to the whims of Mother Nature – and one such former settlement is Bankhead, in Banff National Park, Alberta. The town was established in 1903 in order to mine coal for the Canadian Pacific Railway and a local hotel. But, unfortunately, the fossil fuels found here weren’t up to the job.

Bankhead ghost town, Canada

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The coal deposits were difficult to access, and the fuel that could be mined was brittle and unfit for purpose. Industrial strikes put the final nail in Bankhead’s coffin, and the mine eventually closed in the 1920s. Today an interpretive trail winds through the settlement's remains, and you can see a rusting old mine train and plaques among the wilderness. There are also exhibitions in the historic transformer building.

Eduard Bohlen shipwreck, Namibia

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Namibia has little shortage of haunting shipwrecks, with hundreds of them scattered along the country’s sparse Skeleton Coast. One of the most striking is Eduard Bohlen, a German cargo ship that ran aground in the early 20th century on its way from Swakopmund to South Africa’s Table Bay.

Eduard Bohlen shipwreck, Namibia

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It’s thought that a thick fog forced this fated vessel off course, and today it lies about a quarter of a mile (400m) from the shore, almost completely swallowed by sand. The ship is now the domain of adventurous travelers and wildlife such as the occasional jackal, and one of the best ways to see it is from the air. See more amazing pictures of the world's shipwrecks here.

Town of Spectre, USA

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On Jackson Lake Island in Millbrook, Alabama, you’ll find the curious town of Spectre, a decaying settlement that was actually built as a movie set. It was erected for 2003 fantasy film Big Fish, which was directed by Tim Burton and sees protagonist Will Bloom embark on adventures inspired by his late father’s whimsical tales.

Town of Spectre, USA

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Once filming was finished the movie set was left behind, and today rickety houses sit among the woodland, which includes a pair of styrofoam trees that were part of the film’s own “enchanted forest”. You’ll also see free-roaming goats – the town’s only residents – wandering about the place.

Craco, Italy

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Hugging a hill in Italy’s Matera province, this striking ghost town has a long and tumultuous history. A devastating plague and attacks from outlaws have tested Craco’s mettle over the centuries, but it ultimately survived into the 1900s. However, a series of landslides and earthquakes in the 20th century meant the hardy town was finally abandoned.

Craco, Italy

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Now greenery sprouts from crumbling brick and Craco’s cobbled streets sit deserted save from visitors on guided tours. The ghost town has also been used as a set for movies including 2008 James Bond blockbuster Quantum of Solace.

Villers Abbey, Belgium

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This haunting Cistercian abbey in the Wallonia region dates to the 12th century, when it began life as a home for some 17 monks of the order. Since then, the abbey has been rebuilt numerous times, first in the Romanesque, then the Gothic and finally the Neo-classical style. It has suffered a turbulent history too. Villers Abbey has been invaded numerous times over the centuries and was eventually wrecked and pillaged during the French Revolution.

Villers Abbey, Belgium

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Following the revolution, the abbey was abandoned and fell into further disrepair. Beaten by rain and shrouded by vegetation, it became the domain of Romantic poets and artists. It wasn't until the end of the 19th century that efforts were finally made to restore and preserve the ruin. Today Mother Nature shares the abbey with tourists, who drink in its majestic ruins and enjoy the well-kept grounds, now home to a medicinal herb garden.

Valle dei Mulini, Italy

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A string of crumbling, vine-cloaked mills can be found in Sorrento, the Italian town known as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. It's thought that the so-called Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills), a deep ravine formed 35,000 years ago, was once home to 25 working mills. The abandoned flour mills here date back to the 13th century, and the gorge was also home to a sawmill and a laundry.

Valle dei Mulini, Italy

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The industrial buildings thrived until the 20th century. They were abandoned by the 1940s, reportedly due to their challenging location and humid conditions, as well as the increased competition from elsewhere. Now the decrepit mills are overcome by greenery, which scales the stone walls and forces its way through the glassless windows. You can peer into the depths of the gorge from the Via Fuorimura.

St. Nicholas Fortress, Croatia

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You'll find this imposing fortress, one of the oldest in Croatia, off the shores of the city of Šibenik. The formidable structure, dating back to the 1500s, was built by the Venetians to fend off potential attacks from the Turkish. It remained in use by the military right up until the 1970s, when its hulking stone expanse was finally abandoned.

St. Nicholas Fortress, Croatia

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Today, determined greenery and battering waves are the only invaders of the fort's stalwart walls, which remain in remarkable condition. St. Nicholas earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2017, and you can now visit it on a boat tour organized by the Public Institution for Nature of Šibenik-Knin County.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park castle, USA

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Now an empty shell, the castle in Ha Ha Tonka State Park was the vision of businessman Robert Snyder. He began the construction of this one-time fairy-tale fortress in the early 20th century, though construction was halted when Snyder was killed in a motoring accident. Snyder's sons made good on their father's vision, completing the castle by the 1920s. But the structure was short-lived as a fire ripped through it in 1942.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park castle, USA

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The fire completely gutted the property and it soon fell into the clutches of Mother Nature. Over the years, the castle has been devoured by greenery, with trees populating the empty "rooms", vines replacing paintings and grass growing where there were once fine carpets. The ruins are now protected as part of Ha Ha Tonka State Park and visitors can see them on an independent hike. Discover the eeriest abandoned attraction in every state and DC here.

Belchite, Spain

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It was humans who first ravaged the town of Belchite which came under fire during the Spanish Civil War. Initially controlled by the Nationalists, the town was seized by Republican forces in 1937, but not before a brutal battle completely destroyed the settlement. Now this time-worn town in Spain's Zaragoza province serves as a reminder of both the devastation of war and the power of Mother Nature.

Belchite, Spain

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Piles of rubble still sit among the crumbling walls which are scarred with bullet holes and bleached by the sun – and now weeds are forcing their way into the cracks and crevices too. Tourists can visit Belchite on an organized tour during the day or after sunset, and a local guide will explain more about the town's history and give you a chance to take in the eerie ruins.

Ross Island, India

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Part of India’s remote Andaman archipelago, Ross Island became a colonial British settlement in the 18th century. But, due to the intense heat and changeable weather, these settlers soon left. The British returned in 1857 when they turned the jungle-clad island into a penal colony for Indian revolters. As the prison expanded to the other Andaman isles, Ross Island became its administrative headquarters.

Ross Island, India

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As the Indian rebels suffered in makeshift barracks, the British ensured the rest of Ross Island was transformed into their own lavish base. Comfortable houses and a grand church were built by the prisoners for the colonizers. But by the early 1940s, the prison had ceased operation and, once India gained independence in 1947, Ross Island was altogether abandoned once more. Today the crumbling buildings are wound with vines and dwarfed by trees.

SS Ayrfield, Australia

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Often dubbed a “floating forest”, the shipwreck of SS Ayrfield in Sydney’s Homebush Bay is so overgrown with mangrove trees that only its bow is visible. The area was once a busy port and trading boats would frequently pass through the waters here, carrying war supplies and other freight. But when trading slowed after the Second World War, many ships were decommissioned and simply left in the bay.

SS Ayrfield, Australia

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Many of these once mighty freighters lie wrecked beneath the water’s surface but the SS Ayrfield, first commissioned in 1911, miraculously stayed afloat. Though its stern is red with rust and near busted by tree trunks, the ship remains above water today.

Tarban Creek Asylum, Australia

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Tarban Creek Asylum, later renamed Gladesville, in New South Wales has a dark history indeed. Opened in 1838 and perched on the shores of the Parramatta River in the Sydney suburb of Gladesville, the psychiatric hospital was tipped as the first purpose-built asylum in the area. The facility was originally intended for just 60 patients but it's reported that more than 100 people were admitted here by the 1840s.

Tarban Creek Asylum, Australia

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Much has been written about the horrific treatment that patients suffered at this asylum in its earlier years, including shock 'therapies' and physical abuse, and many of the patients were eventually buried on site, leading to mass graves. The facility was eventually closed in the 1990s. Today a huddle of haunting structures remain, overgrowth shrouding their wasting walls.

Paronella Park, Australia

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Paronella Park was the brainchild of Spanish-born José Paronella, who snapped up a small plot of land by Mena Creek Falls. His lush site eventually consisted of a concrete castle, plus a swimming pool and some 7,000 trees.

Paronella Park, Australia

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José sadly passed away in the 1940s and by the 1970s, the park had been sold outside the family. A devastating fire, as well as several cyclones, also ripped through the castle, leaving it in a decrepit state. Now preservation work has been carried out by the current owners and tourists still come to marvel at the castle's shell and wander the leafy grounds. Find more of Australia's most eerie abandoned buildings here.

North Brother Island, USA

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North Brother Island, an eerie plot in New York City’s East River, has a macabre past. It was ravaged by a fire in 1905, leading to the loss of hundreds of lives, but it’s most well known as the place where so-called “Typhoid Mary” was held. Mary Mallon, an immigrant cook living in the city in the early 1900s, was the first presumed carrier of bacteria linked to typhoid, after several of her co-workers contracted the disease.

North Brother Island, USA

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Mallon was confined to the Riverside Hospital, which was built in 1885 on the otherwise empty island. She attempted escape several times to no avail and died on the island in 1938, along with many other patients quarantined on account of their infectious diseases. The island, off limits to visitors, is still the site of the corroding, now-vacant hospital, as well as clumps of wild woodland. It also acts as a bird sanctuary run by New York City Parks.

St Dunstan's in the East, England

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This once ornate church in London, originally built around 1100, was nearly razed to the ground during the Second World War. The bombing campaign on the city during the Blitz left the church almost entirely in ruins – but several of the walls and the soaring tower and steeple (added between 1695–1701 by Christopher Wren) remained intact. The church had previously been rebuilt following the Great Fire of London in 1666.

St Dunstan's in the East, England

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St Dunstan's remained tattered until the 1960s, when the city council decided to convert it into a public garden. Now the church is dotted with benches, trees and fountains, and acts as a serene bolthole away from the bustle of the city.

Pompeii, Italy

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This Roman city in southern Italy was famously destroyed and buried beneath ash in AD 79 when Mount Vesuvius erupted spectacularly on 24 August. Around 2,000 people perished within the city and it remained buried under tons of ash, rock and pumice until its sprawling ruins were rediscovered in 1748. It’s Europe’s richest archaeological site.

Pompeii, Italy

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Preserved by the volcanic ash and debris, the city remained incredibly intact and has helped archaeologists learn a great deal about Roman society and everyday life. The site is enormous – you could spend days exploring its streets and buildings (villas, baths, gardens, temples, brothels and amphitheaters) – and the wealth of artifacts, mosaics, statues and frescoes that survived despite the cataclysmic event is astounding. It's thought between 12,000 and 15,000 people lived here. Take a look at Pompeii's secrets that are only just being uncovered.

Herculaneum, Italy

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The brooding form of Mount Vesuvius looms over the Bay of Naples and while it has erupted many times since, it was the AD 79 event that proved the most disastrous. As well as Pompeii, it also completely decimated the small coastal town of Herculaneum, which was discovered buried under layers of rock at the western base of the mountain.

Herculaneum, Italy

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The people of Herculaneum suffered a similar dreadful fate to Pompeii but they faced a massive pyroclastic surge that cascaded down Vesuvius’ slopes. As the town was entombed beneath a layer of lava, it was better preserved than Pompeii and its compact size makes it easier to explore in a day. The eerie feeling is inescapable as you wander the ancient streets and wonder at the fate of those who left it too late to flee.

Knossos, Crete, Greece

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It’s thought Thera’s colossal eruption may have played a part in destroying the entire Minoan civilization too, which came to end around 50 years later. The remains of the ancient Minoan palace of Knossos – the vast and elaborate home of King Minos of the labyrinth and Minotaur fame – have given some clues to the cause of the Minoans' demise.

Knossos, Crete, Greece

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Debate rages as to whether it was earthquakes, a tsunami, climate change brought about by Thera's eruption, fire or simply invading Mycenaeans (who later ruled Minoan sites) that eventually undid the Minoans. Theories abound but the evocative ruins of the elaborate Minoan palace show it was destroyed and rebuilt at least twice during the several thousand years it was occupied due to numerous earthquakes. It was completely abandoned in 1375 BC.

Skara Brae, Orkney, Scotland

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There are several ideas about what caused Skara Brae to disappear, including one that a huge sandstorm engulfed this Neolithic settlement in the Orkney Islands around 2,500 BC. It was uncovered by forces of nature too – in 1850 a violent storm stripped away grass and sand to reveal the well-preserved ancient stone houses that had been lost beneath a vast sand dune.

Skara Brae, Orkney, Scotland

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Today these structures are considered the best-preserved group of prehistoric houses in western Europe. They give an insight into the everyday lives of the farmers, fishermen and hunters who lived in this once-thriving village. Remarkably you can still see their stone dressers and beds while the visitor center has an amazing collection of artifacts including gaming dice, hand tools and pottery. Sadly, there are fears that Skara Brae could once again be lost to us as climate change threatens more severe and frequent storms, and rising sea levels that could damage the site. Find more of the world's landmarks under threat from climate change.

Petra, Jordan

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Capital of a once powerful trading empire, the rock city of Petra was home to the Nabateans between 400 BC and AD 106. In AD 363 a massive earthquake and aftershocks destroyed many of its buildings and crippled its essential water supply system. Despite this, Petra remained inhabited in parts for a further 300 years until it was finally abandoned and lost for centuries amid the rugged desert canyons and mountains of Jordan.

Petra, Jordan

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The towering structures carved into the rose-colored sandstone cliffs have made this lost city one of the world’s most intriguing archaeological sites. Entrance is via the awe-inspiring Siq – a mile-long narrow gorge that emerges onto the Treasury, the city’s most famous monument. Petra was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and also named as one of the "New7Wonders" of the world. It’s thought much of the city is yet to be excavated.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt

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One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was severely damaged by earthquakes between the 10th and 14th centuries. The impressive construction sat on the small island of Pharos outside of the Egyptian harbor and was the tallest building in the world for many years. It was built between 280 and 247 BC by the Ptolemaic Kingdom.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt

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It dominated the Mediterranean coast for centuries until it was damaged irreparably by earthquakes. It was then demolished in 1480 to make way for the Citadel of Qaitbay. Some stones from the Lighthouse were used in the construction of the medieval fort which still stands on the site. Further remains have since been discovered on the floor of Alexandria’s harbor along with other remains of the ancient metropolis. Now take a look at what the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World would look like today.

Port Royal, Jamaica

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It’s hard to believe that small and insignificant Port Royal at the mouth of Kingston Harbour was once the largest city in the Caribbean. In fact the bustling port was renowned as a center of piracy and prostitution. Until that is, it was destroyed by an almighty earthquake in 1692. Much of the town, including several forts, sank into the sea never to be seen again. It’s thought around 2,000 people, half of the town’s population, perished.

Port Royal, Jamaica

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The port never regained its status, becoming a British naval station then slipping into life as a sleepy fishing village. In 1969, underwater archaeology pioneer Edwin Link discovered a pocket watch which revealed the exact time the city was sent to its watery death – it had stopped at 11:43. Many of the 17th-century buildings remain intact underneath the waves. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Port Royal's lost city is considered one of the world’s most important underwater sites. Now check out these photos of jaw-dropping underwater attractions.

Phnom Kulen, Cambodia

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The ruinous medieval city of Mahendraparvata was rediscovered buried beneath the dense vegetation of the jungle-clad plateau of Phnom Kulen, the most sacred mountain in Cambodia. The extensive remains were unearthed in 2012 by Australian archaeologists who undertook airborne laser scanner surveys on the area.

Phnom Kulen, Cambodia

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Subsequent surveys on the national park identified the remains of an almighty city comparable to Angkor Wat – a vast network of temples, palaces, dwellings and waterworks infrastructure. Archaeologists had long sought the rumored lost hilltop capital Mahendraparvata (which means "the mountain of the great Indra, king of the gods") that was founded in AD 802 and was the birthplace of the great Khmer civilization. When the city was abandoned, the tropical forest reclaimed its land.

Beng Mealea, Cambodia

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Nature has run riot in many of Cambodia’s other jungle ruins, including the large and enigmatic temple of Beng Mealea that has been dramatically devoured by the surrounding forest. Clambering around these remote and overgrown ruins, where crumbling blocks are covered in lush vegetation and seemingly suffocated by strangler figs, is a reminder of the force and endurance of nature.

Ani, Turkey

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The eerie ruins of this once almighty capital of the Armenian Bagratid dynasty sit in the remote highlands of northeast Turkey near the Armenian border. The imposing walled city and cultural hub of medieval times (it was said to rival Constantinople) was devastated by a massive earthquake in 1319 and faced subsequent earthquakes, invaders, wars and vandalism later in history.

Ani, Turkey

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Known as the ghost city of Ani, its crumbling ruins sit abandoned and little visited. They include churches, palaces, city walls and an intriguing Zoroastrian fire temple. The imposing remains of the Cathedral of Ani can still be seen although its dome collapsed in the earthquake.

Sabratha, Libya

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Founded by the Phoenicians on Libya’s Mediterranean coastline around the 4th century BC, this ancient trading post later fell under Roman rule. Sabratha's stunning seaside amphitheater with its grand three-story backdrop is a legacy of this. It’s remarkably well-preserved considering the city has been struck with several earthquakes – the most devastating one in AD 365. Discover the Roman ruins around the world you probably don't know about.

Sabratha, Libya

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After the earthquake, the city was rebuilt by its Byzantine governors but it never regained its magnificence. Today the site, which includes a Roman forum, baths and temples, is threatened once again by nature – coastal erosion is an ongoing problem. Sadly, Sabratha was also one of five UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Libya placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger because of damage caused by conflict and the further threat posed.

Kolmanskop, Namibia

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Desert sand seeps into every crevice of Kolmanskop, a ghost town in the Namib. It covers the floors of now derelict houses, forcing doors off their hinges as it reclaims the space. A mere century ago, Kolmanskop was a thriving miners’ town. In 1908, a local railway worker stumbled across what he thought was a diamond in the area. Once his find was verified, predominantly German miners rushed here in the hope of making their fortune.

Kolmanskop, Namibia

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The community thrived for several decades but the diamond boom was ultimately short-lived. Following the war, the trade plummeted dramatically – by 1954, there was no longer any mining activity in Kolmanskop and the final inhabitants soon moved on. Save from tourists weaving between the sand-filled properties and the occasional film crew, the town has remained abandoned ever since.

Glenrio, New Mexico/Texas USA

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Between the 1940s and the 1960s, the busy Route 66 sent thousands of travelers through the town of Glenrio. Built on the border between New Mexico and Texas, the town offered motorists a road stop with gas stations, diners, bars, motels and even a dance hall. However, when the I-40 was built in the 1970s, the travelers bypassed the former desert oasis.

Glenrio, New Mexico/Texas USA

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Listed on the National Register of historic Places, the Glenrio Historic District includes the old Route 66 roadbed and 17 abandoned buildings as well as cars. The broken signs welcoming non-existent motorists to the Little Suarez Diner and the State Line Motel are especially creepy.

Houtouwan, China

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Originally a thriving fishing village, this abandoned settlement on China's Shengshan Island is now entirely at the mercy of Mother Nature. The population once totalled more than 2,000 people, but the remote location presented a challenge for the town's inhabitants. Competition from Shanghai's fishing industry (40 miles away) ultimately sealed Houtouwan's fate. Through the 1990s, the village began leaking residents and, by the early 2000s, it was almost completely deserted. Take a look at incredible photos of abandoned islands the world forgot.

Houtouwan, China

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Today almost every inch of Houtouwan is covered with green. Lush vegetation climbs the abandoned houses, many of which contain decaying furniture left behind by former inhabitants. The village has also become popular with adventurous tourists and keen photographers, who make the long journey to hike among the moss-covered hills, trees and vine-clad buildings.

Chippewa Lake Amusement Park, Ohio, USA

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Chippewa Lake Amusement Park opened in 1878, and its story spans an entire century. It began as a humble resort with a ballroom, steamboat and a roller coaster that relied on manpower to reset it after every ride. But after the turn of the century, Chippewa was acquired by ambitious businessman Mac Beach. A Ferris wheel, a modern Big Dipper and a beloved Tumble Bug (pictured) joined the ranks, and fast-food shacks and vibrant ticket booths peppered the site. The Hotel Chippewa was another highlight, and the park established itself as a must-visit.

Chippewa Lake Amusement Park, Ohio, USA

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Eventually, an ageing Beach sold his park onto Continental Business Enterprises in 1969 but despite an ambitious set of plans from the new owners, local interest dimmed. In 1978, CBE closed Chippewa Lake. Trees broke the backs of roller coasters and fell through the roofs of derelict ticket booths, and weeds forced their way into every crevice. The historic ballroom and hotel were eventually destroyed by fire. Though redevelopment plans have surfaced over the years, none have stuck – the site was chosen as the location for 2010 horror film Closed for the Season, but otherwise remains in disuse.

San Juan Parangaricutiro, Mexico

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In 1943, the Parícutin volcano in the Mexican state of Michoacán erupted, marking the beginning of an eight-year period of devastating volcanic activity. During this time, the village of San Juan Parangaricutiro was swallowed by lava. Luckily, the townspeople had time to flee but the settlement itself was all but destroyed. Houses and other public buildings were buried beneath a carpet of lava – the village church, however, remained remarkably unscathed.

San Juan Parangaricutiro, Mexico

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Though the villagers eventually erected a new church elsewhere, the original holy building still rises proudly from the volcanic landscape. Its façade is half-buried by the lava field and many locals believe the church's lucky escape was down to an act of God. Whatever the explanation, the breathtaking ruin is preserved for locals and hardy tourists alike, who can take in the structure on an independent or guided hike. Check out the world's most fascinating ghost towns you can visit.