I Visit Abandoned Places, And Here's 22 Of The Spookiest Encounters From My Journeys

By far, the most eerie encounter I have had was with a creepy house on the outskirts of a quaint German town. I didn't have high expectations for that place. I had heard that it had lost some of its former grandeur, and it seemed unlikely that its condition would improve in the future. So, without hesitation, I decided to visit and witness the remnants of the once eccentric exterior of this small house. To my surprise, what I encountered there far surpassed my initial expectations.

Upon arrival, I met the owner who let me enter the yard, which proved more intriguing than the house's street-facing exterior. I began documenting the extraordinary surroundings, believing this to be the day's highlight. Little did I know what lay ahead. The owner opened the doors of the house, inviting me to enter, but I wasn’t sure whether to go further or run away. What I saw there literally took my breath away.

There was lots of stuff inside - skeletons, creepy dolls and much more. Finally, I entered the building and did several shots. I regret taking so few photos, but even though I like outsiders and weirdos, one moment I thought that all the skeletons in the house may be photographers who visited this place earlier, so I rather left it as soon as possible. This place will linger in my memory for its authenticity. It's not a museum with an entrance fee; instead, it's an old man residing in a haunted house, coexisting with skeletons.

During my childhood, I held a deep fascination for all things spooky and the horror genre. This fascination naturally drew me to the enigmatic ambiance of abandoned places. My journey commenced with a visit to Chernobyl, and later I sought out less conventional abandoned sites across Europe. The more I ventured, the more I uncovered the beauty of decaying interiors. Yet, over time, their allure began to diminish, and revisiting places I had seen countless times in photographs by others failed to evoke the same sense of discovery. I craved uniqueness and authenticity, so apart from abandoned sites, I began seeking out unusual places.

As a result, I have had the opportunity to visit extraordinary homes of outsider artists living far from civilization, as well as gardens full of spectacular decorations. I have also encountered intriguing sights that prompt one to ponder, "Why?" — such as trams on rooftops or trees adorned with phones.

Since abandoned places are often in bad condition, I explore them with caution, using all my senses. I evaluate the floor's stability before each step and ensure the beautiful rotten ceiling won't collapse when I aim to capture a photo. Climbing is the riskiest part, and while I haven't had any falls or injuries, I have encountered a few places requiring extreme care.

When I visit abandoned sites, the biggest challenge is often finding a way in without breaking anything, a rule I always follow. By carefully looking around, I usually discover a hole or a window to climb through. Adhering to this rule has kept me out of legal trouble. However, it can also make entering these places more challenging – sometimes I have to squeeze through tiny holes or perform acrobatics to access a second-floor window.

Abandoned places have an inherent aura of mystery, making them fertile ground for urban legends. A few years ago, I visited a decaying palace in Poland, known for its spectacular front gate. Some photographers referred to it as "The Suicide Palace" due to its deteriorating state, offering numerous ways to commit suicide for explorers of this site. Interestingly, I later stumbled upon a tale suggesting it was built on the grounds of a former suicide cemetery. While I remain skeptical about the veracity of this legend, one thing is certain: abandoned places provide a rich backdrop for the birth of urban myths.