13 Eerie & Abandoned Places Reclaimed by Nature
Curious about what happens when places are left alone? We’ll explore abandoned spots where nature has made a comeback.
Join us as we uncover the stories of these quiet, nature-filled places that show just how powerful and creative Mother Nature can be.
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1. Floating Forest, Australia
Have you heard about Sydney’s Floating Forest? It’s an amazing sight where nature has turned an old ship, the SS Ayrfield, into a beautiful mini forest! It’s fascinating how nature can take over, transforming an abandoned vessel into something so alive.
2. The Initiation Well, Portugal
Nestled in the enchanting town of Sintra, the Initiation Well isn’t your ordinary well. It’s a magical subterranean spiral that leads through mysterious tunnels. At 88 feet deep, it’s more than just a hole in the ground; it’s a journey to a different time.
The well at Quinta da Regaleira was actually used for secretive ceremonies, and it’s lined with symbolism that will make your heart race with excitement at each twist and turn.
3. Ross Island, India
Once upon a time, in the Bay of Bengal, Ross Island was a bustling hub for British rulers. Now, it wears a cloak of roots and leaves as nature has softly, yet grandly, reclaimed its land. Peep through the tangles, and you’ll find a place where history nods at the wild beauty of the earth taking over.
In Ross Island, or Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island as it’s now known, you’ll see the dance of decay and growth. It’s a curious sight, where the past and present merge beneath the shade of green canopies and chirping birds overhead.
4. Vallone Dei Mulini, Italy
Did you know there’s a secret world of green nestled in the heart of Sorrento? The Vallone dei Mulini is a lush valley that nature has pretty much made its own. This spot shows off ruins dating back centuries, sitting in a deep gorge that’s a sneak peek into history.
Around 35,000 years ago, a huge volcano blew its top and shaped this hidden crevice. Nowadays, the place is a dream for seekers of the unusual, letting you peek into a time when nature hadn’t quite taken over.
5. Kolmanskop, Namibia
In the heart of the Namib Desert, your adventure awaits at the sand-swallowed town of Kolmanskop. Once the site of a diamond rush, it’s now a photographer’s dream, with dunes spilling into houses and nature’s artistry at every corner.
6. Ta Prohm, Cambodia
Discovered beneath a cloak of forest, the ancient ruins of Ta Prohm tell a unique story. Once surrounded by a thriving city, it now stands in a serene embrace with nature. With massive tree roots entwined around the 12th-century stone, the temple offers a magical scene as if from an adventure tale.
7. Spreepark, Germany
At the Spreepark in Berlin, vines and trees mix with old roller coasters and Ferris wheels. This once-buzzing amusement park opened in 1969, becoming a dreamland for many until it closed in 2001. Now, it’s like a secret garden, but instead of flowers, you’ll find a carousel from days gone by.
8. Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse, Denmark
Nestled on Denmark’s coast, the Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse is a sight to behold. Once guiding ships, it now stands tall, surrounded by nature’s embrace. Despite the sand’s claim over time, in 2019, a big move saved it from falling prey to the sea.
Now 70 meters back, it sits, still a beacon of history. You can soak up the wild beauty where the lighthouse, perched since 1900, teases the imagination of what once was.
9. Houtouwan Village, China
Once a bustling spot for fishermen, Houtouwan Village on Shengshan Island tells a story of nature’s silent conquest. Covered in a lush green blanket, the village offers a surreal peek at a world where human footprints have faded.
Where homes stood filled with laughter, vines and leaves now drape gracefully over the deserted structures.
10. Gouqi Island, China
In the east of China, the magic of nature has transformed an old fishing spot on Gouqi Island into a scene right out of a fairy tale.
Once bustling with fishermen, this village is now cloaked in a blanket of ivy and flourishing greenery. This hidden gem is part of the Shengsi Archipelago, a collection of nearly 400 islands.
11. Grossinger’s Resort, New York
Once a bustling hotspot, the Grossinger’s Resort is now a scene straight out of a fairytale book. In Liberty, New York, this grand getaway, which welcomed guests with open arms in its heyday, is now locked in an embrace with ivy and tree limbs.
Ballrooms where elegant parties once glittered now see sunlight stream through broken windows—the floors sprouting green with new life. Where people once lounged by the pool, there’s now a tranquil pond, hosted by frogs and dragonflies.
12. Tunnel Of Love, Ukraine
The Tunnel of Love in Klevan, Ukraine, is a leafy green corridor that was once just an ordinary stretch of railway. Nature has taken over the railway, wrapping the tracks in a vibrant green archway that seems to glow with life.
During spring and summer, it’s a tunnel bursting with shades of green. As autumn arrives, it transforms into a corridor of gold and fiery red leaves. Although it spans a mere three miles, the beauty packed into this space is colossal.
13. Beng Mealea, Cambodia
Beng Mealea is a hidden jewel tucked away in the Cambodian wilderness, an ancient temple, where nature has woven a green cloak across stone walls. Built a millennium ago, it’s a wonder of massive stones and encroaching tree roots creating a magical scene.
