February 2010
Monthly ArchivesIn Pictures: Vulcan XH558 – Last of a Legend
This mighty delta forms the unmistakable outline of the iconic Vulcan bomber, Britain’s Cold War nuclear deterrent. The Vulcan in the picture, XH558, is the last flying example of the type, kept alive by a dedicated team of enthusiasts and the unconditional support of her fans. But not all Vulcans have been so lucky…
Is there Beauty in Urban Decay?
The answer is highly subjective, but many urban explorers and those fascinated by hidden history would say “yes”. Smashing Magazine explores the subject of urban decay in a fantastic must-see photo essay, while this collection of 42 stunning images should help you decide. Please let us know what you think!
The Abandoned Town of Centralia, Pennsylvania
In the small town of Ashland, Pennsylvania, Route 61 takes an unexplained detour, while a sign saying “Keep Out” straddles the original highway. Anyone who ignores the warning will arrive in the abandoned town of Centralia, where an underground mine fire has been burning since 1962.
The Pinnacles Desert, Western Australia
The spellbinding Pinnacles in the eponymous Pinnacles Desert are among Australia’s most impressive limestone rock formations. Created from the seashells of an ancient ocean rich in marine life, the shells were broken down into lime rich sand blown inland to form high dunes. From these dunes, the formation of the Pinnacles emerged.
Belgium: Urban and Industrial Decay in the Capital of Europe
Belgium is a beautiful country full of picturesque little villages and quaint medieval towns. It is also home to the European Union. But there is an underbelly of urban decay that eludes the cultural fanfare and escapes a mention in the Lonely Planet. This article explores some of Belgium’s urban and industrial abandonments.
The Semi Submerged Church at Curon Venosta
Some time ago Weburbanist did a fantastic article entitled 7 Submerged Wonders of the World, highlighting an astounding selection of underwater cities, monuments and statues. Here’s one with a twist! This semi-submerged bell tower is all that can be seen of the church at Curon Venosta, a small Northern Italian town flooded to make way for an artificial lake.
6 Overgrown Cemeteries, Tombs and Catacombs
We’ve all experienced those cliched opening scenes of horror films where the wind whistles through the trees of an overgrown cemetery. But some cemeteries are so eerie that it’s hard not to be taken in by the tangled grave stones fit for any Hammer Horror production and catacombs worthy of Indiana Jones.
The Enigmatic Nasca Lines
The mysterious Nasca Lines etched into the desert of Peru are among the world’s most puzzling ancient geoglyphs. Photographer Christian Haugen has captured one of the many carvings fantastically, which also include stylised hummingbirds, monkeys, sharks, lizards and so on.
Abandoned Cincinnati Subway
Abandoned tunnels are enough to spur the imagination of most urban explorers. The subterranean world beneath some city streets is a labyrinth of deserted subways and abandoned stations. Cincinnati not only hides America’s largest abandoned subway, but one that was also doomed before the completion of the project could ever be realised.
Manchester’s Spectacular (and Deserted) Victoria Baths
City bosses are often quick to bulldoze deserted buildings that stand on prime locations. But thankfully that isn’t the case with Manchester’s spectacular Victoria Baths. Closed since 1993, the incredibly intact interior and Edwardian-era styling make the baths a photographer’s dream.
Riverview Mental Hospital: More From West Lawn
The West Lawn building of Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam, British Columbia, deserted since 1983, is a chilling abandoned insane asylum popular with urban explorers and reputedly haunted.
Silent Cinema: 8 Abandoned Theatres and Movie Palaces
The irony is all in the name! The abandoned Joy Cinema in New Orleans is a sorry sight today. And while their names may not pose such a paradox as “the Joy”, these 8 old movie palaces look like their best years ended with the passing of the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Hotels, Sanatoriums and Forts: 5 Unique and Diverse Abandonments
Most of the time, the locked doors of abandoned buildings give way to deserted hallways of peeling paint, junk and general emptiness. So what makes them so fascinating? And what makes us want to peer inside? This series of photos should help shed some light on this dusty matter…
Castle of Mesen: Urban Explorers Document a Haunting Ruin
Abandoned buildings are like magnets to urban explorers. The human imagination doesn’t need archives and relics to point out the direction of the past and the Castle of Mesen is so impressive that it’s impossible not to be drawn into its weird world.
6 Abandoned Buildings From Italy to Canada
Our normal daily routines take us past scores of abandoned places. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that anything exists on the other side of the walls…
