What is it about abandoned places that make them so appealing? Perhaps it’s getting an unaltered glimpse into the past, or maybe it scratches a very specific, creepy itch. Or it could be that deserted places are undeniably photogenic—overgrown with vegetation, covered in graffiti, and surrounded by beautiful, encroaching nature.
Whatever the reason, people sure do love ghost towns, ghost buildings, and ghost amusement parks. That’s why we rounded up some of the most eerily beautiful abandoned places around the world, including subway stations in New York City, former Olympic villages in Bosnia, once-luxurious beach resorts in Cyprus, and old whaling stations in Antarctica. (And that’s just for starters.)
Without further ado, enjoy these 45 abandoned places around the world that will have you awed and creeped out at the same time.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.