Introduction
These ghost towns and deserted metropolises once thrived with activity, but now they stand abandoned and forgotten. Join me as I count down 15 of the most eerie abandoned cities, each with its own unique story and history.
Fatur Sikri
Built to be the capital of the Mughal Empire, Fatur Sikri was a grand city meant to symbolize unity among people of all faiths. However, due to environmental challenges, it was abandoned in 1610 and now stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kayakoy
Kayakoy, once inhabited by Turkey’s Greek community, was deserted during the Greco-Turkish War in 1923. Today, it stands empty, serving as a testament to its past with Greek Orthodox churches and abandoned homes.
Kaba
Kaba, Alabama, was the state’s first capital city but declined after losing its status to Tuscaloosa in 1826. Eventually, most residents moved out, and the remaining buildings are now part of the Old Kaba Archaeological Park.
Bodi
Bodi, a former mining town in Eastern California, boomed in the late 1800s but declined after the gold rush ended. It now stands as a National Historic Landmark, showcasing the remnants of its wild west past.
Mistra
Once a fortress turned city in Greece, Mistra was an important center of Byzantine learning and culture. After being abandoned following the Greek War of Independence, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ross Island
Ross Island, off the coast of India, served as a British and Indian settlement before becoming a prison colony during the Indian Rebellion. Despite its abandonment, it offers guided tours and stands as a reminder of its colonial past.
Plymouth
Plymouth, the modern-day equivalent of Pompeii, was once the capital of Montserrat until a volcanic eruption in 1995 forced the town’s complete evacuation. Today, it remains abandoned, with only a fraction of the population returning.
Colmanskop
Colmanskop, a diamond mining town in Namibia, thrived in the early 1900s but was abandoned after richer diamond deposits were found elsewhere. Today, it stands as a ghost town reclaimed by the desert.
Pripyat
Pripyat became famous after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, leading to the complete evacuation of the city due to nuclear radiation. Today, it remains abandoned, with eerie reminders of its past as a bustling city.
Kitsault
Kitsault, a modern mining town in British Columbia, was abandoned shortly after its construction due to falling mineral prices. It serves as the province’s last true mining town, now reclaimed by nature.
Centralia
Centralia, Pennsylvania, was once a thriving coal town until a coal fire started in 1962, leading to the evacuation and eventual condemnation of the town. Today, it stands as a ghost town with abandoned streets and empty fields.
Ko
Ko, a picturesque city in Italy founded in the 8th century BC, was abandoned in 1980 due to mudslides caused by unstable soil. It now serves as a filming site and a place of religious significance for locals.
Famagusta
Famagusta, in Cyprus, was a bustling city turned ghost town due to political turmoil and conflicts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. While parts have reopened for tourists, the city remains a poignant reminder of its past.
Hashima Island
Hashima Island in Japan was once a coal mining colony, abandoned after the closure of the mine in 1974. Despite its eerie atmosphere, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, causing controversy over its history.
Fordlandia
Fordlandia, Henry Ford’s failed rubber-producing city in the Amazon, was abandoned after a series of missteps and cultural clashes. Today, it stands as a reminder of American capitalism’s darker side and misguided ventures.
Related Questions
1. What led to the decline of Fatur Sikri as the capital of the Mughal Empire?
– The drying up of a nearby lake made living in Fatur Sikri unsustainable, leading to its abandonment.
2. Why did Kayakoy become deserted during the Greco-Turkish War?
– Kayakoy was exchanged for Turks in a compulsory population exchange, leading to the abandonment of the Greek Orthodox community.
3. How did the Chernobyl disaster impact the city of Pripyat in Ukraine?
– The Chernobyl disaster led to the complete evacuation of Pripyat due to high levels of nuclear radiation, leaving it abandoned to this day.
4. What factors led to the decline of Centralia, Pennsylvania, and its subsequent condemnation?
– Centralia faced a coal fire that started in 1962, causing health and environmental hazards, leading to the town’s evacuation and condemnation.
5. Why did Fordlandia, Henry Ford’s rubber-producing city in the Amazon, ultimately fail?
– Fordlandia failed due to mismanagement, cultural clashes, and economic challenges, leading to its abandonment and significant financial loss for Henry Ford.
