I’ve seen enough horror movies to know that I should never purchase an abandoned building. In fact, I probably shouldn’t even step foot in one, unless I want to be traumatized for the rest of my life. But in reality, abandoned places don’t have to be scary and unsettling. In fact, they can be beautiful and inspiring!
The Abandoned World subreddit has been around since 2022, and it has amassed an impressive number of followers. Currently, the community gets 1.5K visitors each week, making over 65 contributions. The group is dedicated to sharing “anything worldwide abandoned that is considered beautiful and amazing,” and clearly, members have no shortage of photos.
If the photos on this list are inspiring you to get out and start exploring your own city or region, you might be interested in urban exploration. According to EcoFlow, this refers to the hobby of visiting abandoned buildings and locations that are often hidden, off-limits, or inaccessible to the general public. These might include industrial complexes, underground spaces, tunnels, rooftops, and more.
Also referred to as “Urbex,” this pastime comes along with a certain code that people are expected to follow when going on adventures. It’s basically the same mantra that outdoor explorers are expected to follow: “Take nothing, leave nothing.” Respect the space that you’re visiting, and don’t tamper with it in any way. Don’t take any souvenirs, and ideally, don’t go anywhere that requires you to trespass.
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If you’re interested on embarking on your own urban explorations, EcoFlow has some advice that you’ll probably want to follow. First, plan to go during the day. The idea of exploring at night might sound exciting, but it can be much more dangerous, as you can never predict when an accident will happen. It’s also wise to go prepared. Wear suitable clothing, and bring supplies to keep you safe. Gloves, masks, flashlights, and clothing that will cover your entire body are wise, just in case.
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Depending on how intense the journey will be to the abandoned location, it might be a good idea to bring hiking essentials too. You’ll want snacks and water, a first aid kit, a portable phone charger, and of course, a buddy. Venturing out on your own can be a bad idea if you encounter anything dangerous. But it’s also just more fun to experience a new, mysterious place with a friend by your side!
Recently, urban exploration has exploded in popularity on TikTok. But the BBC warns that safety should be your utmost priority if you want to partake in this pastime. Something to consider before entering any abandoned space is whether or not the air is actually safe to breathe. Apparently, one group of teens in Manchester entered an abandoned asbestos factory without any concern for the potential cancer risks. And once content like this ends up on social media, others will be inspired to follow in the poster’s footsteps.
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The BBC notes that young urban explorers on TikTok have also been seen entering power stations, slaughterhouses, care homes, bunkers, and even private residences. They spoke with one young explorer who has been in former factories, nightclubs, schools, and hospitals. While he agrees that this isn’t a safe hobby for children to partake in, he’s unsure of how to stop them, especially once they’ve been exposed to videos promoting urbex.
