Largest Abandoned Urban Areas, Also Known as Phantom Towns, Across the Globe
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From the desolate towns of Europe to the eerie historic sites in Paris, there is a sense of mystery and intrigue that surrounds abandoned cities and ghost towns. Let's embark on a journey to explore some of these fascinating locations.
Kangbashi, Ordos, China (Hia Bagx District or Hia'bagx District) is a district in inner Mongolia that was designed for civic status but has never been fully populated. With only a few thousand people living there, it offers a unique glimpse into a city that was meant to be bustling but remains eerily quiet.
Oradour-sur-Glane, France was a peaceful village during World War II, but was tragically destroyed by Nazis, claiming close to 700 lives. Today, the town serves as a preserved monument, attracting visitors from around the world to read the history of bloodshed in its ruins.
Another haunting reminder of a nuclear disaster can be found in Pripyat, Ukraine. The city was one of the cities affected by the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 and is now a zone of alienation, offering a glimpse into the worst nuclear disaster in history.
In the Middle East, the city of Agdam, Azerbaijan was once home to almost 40,000 people, but is now an almost entirely uninhabited ghost town.
Across the globe, in Turkey, Kayaköy was primarily composed of Greek residents before the Greco-Turkish war in the early 20th century. It is now run over with overgrowth and weather decay, but the memories in the 350 odd homes still remain.
Varosha, Cyprus was once a popular tourist destination, favored by celebrities, but was abandoned during a Turkish invasion in 1974, leaving it as a desolate town of decaying buildings.
Plymouth, Montserrat became a ghost town in 1995 when the Soufrière Hills volcano became active and raised concerns for the town and its residents, leading to its evacuation.
In Africa, Kolmanskop, Namibia came into existence in the early 20th century due to the discovery of diamonds, but declined when diamond production stopped and now requires a permit to visit.
Historical adventures can also be found in Europe, with the former industrial sites in the Minette region of Luxembourg (Esch-sur-Alzette, Differdange) offering a glimpse into the past with old blast furnaces and factories. The mysterious, largely deserted villages of the Amari Valley on Crete, Greece, and the eerie historic sites in Paris, France, such as the Catacombs, the Conciergerie prison, and Père-Lachaise cemetery, are also worth visiting.
Lastly, Hashima Island, Japan was a home for undersea coal miners and featured high-rise buildings, public amusement, and modern facilities. However, it was decommissioned in 1974 and is now a popular tourist attraction.
Join us as we continue to explore the world, uncovering the stories behind these fascinating abandoned cities and ghost towns. Stay informed, stay updated, and stay curious with our platform magazine.
