Chilling Discoveries Not Suitable For All Viewers
By | November 28, 2022
Abandoned gift shop and restaurant still has untouched plushies 20 years after it was closed
Who doesn’t like looking at old things from the past? When we see interesting items from days gone by, we want to shout, in the words of Indiana Jones, “That belongs in a museum!” From priceless treasures to crumbling buildings and from abandoned vehicles to historic artifacts, these photos of cool old stuff will make you appreciate – or question – the past.
Remember back twenty-plus years ago when everyone was buying up collectible plush toys because they were certain that they would be so valuable in the future that they could pay for their children’s college education by selling off their plushies? Yea, that was a crazy time. Wonder how much these plushies are worth today, after sitting untouched on the shelves of a shuttered restaurant’s gift shop. Do you think selling these dusty relics would net enough money to pay for tuition, room and board, and books at an Ivy League college?
A trove of 24 bronze statues was just discovered in a network of baths built by the Etruscans in Tuscany, dating back 2300 years.
This bronze statue is one of 24 statues that were found in early 2022 in San Casciano dei Bagni, a town that was known for its thermal baths that is located in the Siena province in Italy. The perfectly preserved statues were protected by the heated water and mud of the natural hot springs. The statues were the works of the Etruscans who built a series of baths in Tuscany to take advantage of the geothermal activity in the region. Archaeologists estimate that the statues are at least 2,300 years old.
This is one of many hair ropes used during the reconstruction of Higashi Hongan-ji Temple in 1895 in Kyoto.
When the Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, built in 1602 in Kyoto, Japan, was destroyed by fire in 1895, the partitioners committed to rebuilding the structure. But there was a problem. The thick wooden beams were simply too heavy to hoist using the ropes they had on hand. The ropes kept breaking. It was the female devotees who came to the rescue. They cut off their long hair and tightly braided it into thick ropes. The hair ropes were strong enough to get the job done. Some of the ropes are still on display at the temple.
A 16th century gold locket worth 2.5 million pounds that was discovered in the UK in 2010, by a 3-year-old boy playing with his father's metal detector
Lucky kid! In 2010, then-three-year-old James Hyatt was messing around with his father’s metal detector in a Hockley field when the machine started beeping. Young James and his father, Jason, dug down and saw a glimpse of gold. What they unearthed ended up being a rare and valuable locket pendant from the 16th century that was engraved with an image of the Virgin Mary and the five wounds of Christ. Depictions like this were common themes in the late medieval era. The locket has an estimated value of 2.5 million English pounds, or nearly $3 million USD.
The Nanhai One is a Chinese merchant ship with over 60,000 items on board, which sank into the South China Sea in the 12th century. Discovered in 1987
The Nanhai One, an ancient Chinese merchant ship, sank into the South China Sea in the 12th century fur the Southern Song dynasty. It sat at the bottom of the ocean until it was discovered in 1987 by a group of English maritime explorers who were actually searching for a different shipwreck. Discovered with the Nanhai One shipwreck were about 200 porcelain pieces, coins, silver bars, and gold chains. In all, there were between 60,000 and 80,000 items recovered with the ship. The ancient ship was raised in 2007.
An abandoned military camp in Germany with Third Reich flag on the ceilings
This is the Wunsdorf military complex in Zossen which is commonly called the ‘Forbidden City’. During World War I, the base served as a holding pen for prisoners of war. It because the headquarters for the German army in 1935 and was the World War II command center for the Nazi military … which explains the flags. During the Cold War, it was the largest Soviet military base outside of the USSR. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, followed by the collapse of the Soviet Union, the base was no longer needed. The last military troops left the Forbidden City in 1994 and it has been abandoned ever since.
The world's oldest spear, the Clacton Spear Point, is 400,000 years old and was probably made by Neanderthals in Essex, England
This spear, called the Clacton Spear, represented the oldest known worked wooden tool. It was discovered in Essex, England, in 1911 by an amateur archaeologist. The spear, which was probably made by Neanderthals, has been dated to be as old as 400,000 years old. It was made out of yew wood, was shaped into a point, and was likely a hunting tool. The Clacton Spear is currently on display at London’s Natural History Museum.
A 17th century feathered cape created by the Tupinambá people of Brazil, now housed at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
The Tupinambá people of Brazil were fine craftsmen, as we can see with this 17th century feathered cape that is on display at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. Birds were sacred to the Tupinambá people. When a shaman wore a cloak made of the features of birds, it was believed that he would have the power to move from the world of the living to the world of the dead, and back again. As you can imagine, these capes are incredibly fragile. There are only 11 feather capes from the 16th and 17th centuries still in existence today.
Abandoned church in Germany, near to Burg Eltz
This abandoned, yet beautiful old church is located in Berg Eltz in Germany, not too far from the famous Eltz Castle. While this church has fallen into disrepair, the castle has been perfectly preserved. Unlike most the castles of Germany, Eltz Castle emerged from numerous wars, including World War I and World War II, intact and unscathed … and in possession of the same family for nine centuries. A fairytale castle, it attracts year-round tourists who come to admire the medieval architecture. If you are in the neighborhood of Eltz Castle, seek out this awesome abandoned church, too.
3 Kawasaki Motorcycles in the Basement of an Abandoned House
It is easy to think that Kawasaki motorcycles were a product of the 1960s. After all, that’s when the Japanese-made machines enjoyed a tremendous spike in popularity and helped spawn sportsbike competitions. But the company was actually founded in 1896 by Shozo Kawasaki. Motorcycles were just as small part of the Kawasaki Heavy Industries company. The bikes, however, played a huge role in World War II. In 1960, Kawasaki took over Meguro motorcycles and became a major player in the industry. It is too bad this trio of bike didn’t get to see much action.
The famous Etruscan terracotta sarcophagus is an example of the outstanding craft skills of the Etruscans. The artifact was found in 1881 in the Banditaccia necropolis in Cerveteri
This terracotta sarcophagus affectionately known as the ‘Sarcophagus of the Spouses’, was discovered in the 1800s during an archaeological excavation of the Banditaccia necropolis in ancient Caere. It features a man and a woman reclining on cushions. The detail on the terracotta is impressive. You can see the braids in their hair, the pleats in the cushions, and drape of their clothing. This beautiful sarcophagus is now at a museum in Rome. Another ‘spouse’ sarcophagus that is so similar that it may have been crafted by the same artist was also found in the region. That sarcophagus is now in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
A 1700-year-old Roman-era Good Shepard gold ring bearing an engraving of a boy holding a sheep on his shoulders, an image used by early Christians to symbolize Jesus.
In a passage in the Bible, Jesus refers to himself as the ‘Good Shepherd’. In was common in the Roman era for jewelry and artwork to depict Jesus as a shepherd. We see that in this 1,700-year-old ring that features a boy holding a sheep on his shoulders. This ring, along with hundreds of silver and bronze coins, bronze bells, figurines, and more, was discovered in 13-feet of water off Israel’s Mediterranean coast amid the remains of an ancient shipwreck.
Entrance to the Arnstein, a medieval robber knight's hideout in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Saxony, Germany
These steps carved into the rock lead to the entrance to Arnstein Cave, which was once part of Arnstein Castle, also known as Ottendorfer Raubscholoss, or Ottendorfer Robber’s Castle. Built in the 14th century, the cave was used as a dungeon for the castle and, later, as a hideout for robbers. The castle’s owners mortgaged the castle to a robber baron named Siegmund von Wartenberg from Tetschen who used the fortress as his headquarters when embarking on raids through Saxony. He was eventually overthrown, but the castle fell into disrepair. This narrow passageway through a rock crevice still remains.
An 11th century “ornamental shield” that was carved from an elk's antler, found in the funerary chapel of Louis the Pious in Metz, France
This beautiful ornamental shield made from an elk antler is often referred to as “Charlemagne’s shield” but it was probably not used by the great leader who has been called the “Father of Europe.” Charlemagne was the King of the Franks beginning in 768, the King of the Lombards starting in 774, and the first Emperor of the Romans starting around 800. This carved shield has been dated to the 11th century. It was discovered in the funerary chapel of Louis the Pious in Metz, France. Louis the Pious was the son of Charlemagne and his successor.
Abandoned WW2 Sherman Tank, Saipan
This Sherman Tank is a visual reminder to the people of the island of Saipan of the World War II Battle of Saipan. Part of Operation Forager, the battle took place from June 15 to July 9, 1944, on Saipan. In a failed attempt to defend the island, the Japanese military experienced the death of nearly 29,000 troops. Additionally, there was heavy civilian casualties in the battle. This event was one of the deciding factors that led Hideki Tojo, the prime minister of Japan, to tender his resignation.
An abandoned lighthouse, “Aniva,” on Sakhalin, Russia. Build by the Japanese in 1939 before this land was taken over by USSR
Although the Aniva lighthouse on Sakhalin, Russia, is no longer warning ships about the dangers of the rocky coast of the Aniva Cape in the Okhotsk Sea, it is a popular tourism attraction. The beautiful lighthouse was built in 1939 by the Japanese before the Russians kicked them off Sakhalin Island in the closing days of World War II. The Russians took over operations of the lighthouse in the 1940s and kept the light going until 1990. At that time, the lighthouse keeper was recalled, and the facility was outfitted with an automatic light. In 2006, the lighthouse was completely abandoned.
The Assyrian Winged Bull, 16 feet tall and 40 TONS, on display at the Oriental Institute Museum at the University of Chicago
This massive relief of the Assyrian Winged Bull was discovered in 1929 by a team of archaeologists that included Edward Chiera of the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute Museum. It was unearthed at Khorsabad in northern Iraq. The relief was originally found in the throne room of Sargon II, the King of Assyria, who reigned from 721 to 705 BC. We call it a winged bull, but the ancient Assyrians called it a ‘lamassu’ and believed it was deity that could turn an evil person away, which is why it was guarding the king’s throne. It was given to the Oriental Institute Museum by the Department of Antiquities in Iraq.
The golden dome ceiling of the Hall of Ambassadors at the Alcázar of Seville, done in the Mudéjar style. Spain, 15th century
This stunningly beautiful golden ceiling is found in the Hall of Ambassadors at the Royal Alcazars of Seville in Spain. The royal palace, technically a residential fortress, was built by Castilian Christians for King Peter of Castile. The Ambassador Hall was remodeled by Peter of Castile in the 14th century so that the room was the centerpiece of the palace. The walls were paneled with ornate tiles and the ceiling was arched to form a dome. The design was modeled after the Mudejar style.
The skull of a Viking man with filed teeth, found in a mass grave in Dorset. The purpose behind filed teeth remains unclear but some researchers believe that the teeth carvings were likely dyed
When archaeologists unearthed the skull of this Viking man from a mass grave in Dorset, the researchers were surprised to see the teeth. Notice the notches that appear to have been filed across this warrior’s teeth. Experts aren’t totally sure why his teeth were notched in this manner, but they have a theory. It has been speculated that the notches were filled with a dye or paint … probably bright red … to give this warrior a frightening and imposing appearance on the battlefield. It was an intimidation ploy.
Nature Consuming This Abandoned Japanese Hotel...
Several of Japan’s once-opulent hotels have been abandoned to nature. The Japanese have a word, ‘haikyo’, which has a dual meaning. It simultaneously means ‘ruins’ and ‘urban exploration’. For people who love the juxtaposition of grand old structures and overgrown spots that nature is reclaiming, ‘haikyo’ is right up their alley. There is something hauntingly beautiful about modern, grand places that have become derelict and abandoned … just like this hotel.
3,100-year-old jar full of burnt figs strung together by strings. Ekron, Israel, 12th century BC
String dried figs on a thread is kind of a thing in many parts of the Middle East. In fact, you can still purchase a string of dried figs. This photo shows that the practice of threading figs on a string goes at least three thousand years. Discovered in Tel Miqne-Ekron, Israel, this ceramic storage jar was unearthed in a Canaanite building that dated back to the end of the Late Bronze Age, roughly the 12th century BC. The jar and its charred contents are currently on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
A 3,000-year-old clay pig found in 2020 at the Lianhe Ruins in China. When it was discovered, the pottery has gone viral as it looks similar to the pigs in Angry Birds
No, this isn’t an early prototype of the Angry Birds pig. It is an ancient look-alike that dates back more than three thousand years. The clay pig was discovered at the Lianhe Ruins in China in 2020, an archaeological site in the Sichaun province that has been the focus of excavations since the fall of 2019. It was not uncommon for people living in the Shang and Zhou dynasties of China – between 1600 and 1046 BC and 1046 to 256 BC – to craft statues of pigs. What is unusual is that this particular pig looks just like the character in the app on your phone.
A limestone relief depicting the pharaoh Akhenaten, the queen Nefertiti and two princesses worshipping the Aten
The Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten was a controversial figure in the Egyptian history. He tried to get all of Egypt to abandon its traditional polytheism religion in favor of worshipping just one god. It didn’t go over so well. After his reign, Egypt reverted back to their old pantheon of gods and tried to erase Akhenaten for history. That’s what makes this limestone relief of the pharaoh so rare. Akhenaten was married to Nefertiti who was said to be one of the most beautiful women in history. This relief shows Akhenaten and Nefertiti with two of their six daughters. You might know their son, the boy king Tutankhamun.
Maya mosaic mask, made of jade and shell. From Guatemala, 200 600 CE, now part of the Al Thani Collection, which was assembled by Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, first cousin of the Emir of Qatar
How does a Mayan mask from 200 CE Guatemala end up halfway around the world in Qatar? The answer lies with Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Thani, a Qatari prince with a passion for shiny jewels and priceless artifacts. The prince, the cousin of the Emir of Qatar, owns one of the greatest private collections of treasures in the world. In addition to Cartier diamonds and a boatload of rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, the prince has collected artifacts from around the globe. This mosaic mask from Guatemala is made of jade and shells.
A rose quartz covered incense burner. Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Reign
How beautiful is this? This incense burner from the Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Reign, which was from 1736-1796 CE, was crafted out of rose quartz. Incense was an important part of Chinese culture at this time. The burning of incense was included in traditional medical treatments, religious ceremonies, and as a way to honor and venerate one’s ancestors. This beautiful incense burner is in the collection of the Nanjing Museum in China.
A secret passage connecting the first and third floors of Bran Castle Dracula's castle that was discovered during restoration work
This secret passage was discovered in Bran Castle in Transylvania. It is a quick and easy … and secret … way for a person to move between the first and third floors undetected. The very real Bran Castle was the inspiration for Dracula’s castle in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but there is no evidence that the author ever visited the region. In fact, the description of the castle that Stoker wrote in his book doesn’t resemble Bran Castle at all. People outside Transylvania call it Dracula’s Castle, but people living in the surrounding area are quick to point out that there are no vampires living in the castle.
Embroidered armor from Mexico, dated to the 1600's, on display at the Army Museum in Toledo, Spain
The Army Museum in Toledo, Spain, housed a vast collection of war-related artifacts from around the world, including this exquisite set of embroidered battle armor from 17th century Mexico. This piece is displayed in the museum’s “The Hispanic Monarchy (1492-1700)” collection which features many items from the New World that reflects Spain’s era of conquests and colonization. It is refreshing that the museum includes pieces from the native people of Mexico. Too many times, history focuses on the conquerors and not on the cultures that were destroyed during the conquering.
A Medieval Leather Shoe from 1300's England, Museum of London
The Museum of London houses more than 12,000 items in its medieval collection, including this leather shoe from the 1300s. The garment and textile portion of the museum’s medieval collection covers everyday objects like this shoe, in addition to ornate gowns and knightly armors. Made of tanned leather, this shoe likely belonged to a peasant or working-class person. Although the shoe has been remarkably preserved, it still shows signs of wear.
Abandoned graveyard in Poland
History has not been kind to Poland. The country has a history of turmoil and chaos, including wars, sieges, regime changes, and territory changes. In between, however, there were periods of prosperity. As these damaged and abandoned coffins in a Polish cemetery represent, the once beautiful and meaningful parts of Poland can quickly become forgotten and destroyed because of the unrest of the country.
Abandoned what might be a house in Kingsport TN.
The Tennessee town of Kingsport was re-charted in 1917 when a noted city planner and landscape architect named John Nolan, restructured the town into areas for industry and commerce, residential areas, and areas for community services, like schools, churches, and libraries. Not sure where the strange, hodge-podge house area was supposed to be. One of the main industries in the town was the Eastman Chemical Company. Once part of the Kodak empire, the company retooled to seek additional business opportunities when the world switched from film and print cameras to digital photography.
An aerial view of the Dunlough Castle, which is perched at the top of 100m cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean and next to a freshwater lake on the northern tip of Mizen Peninsula
What an impressive setting for an Irish castle! This is Dunlough Castle on the northern tip of Mizen Peninsula. The castle’s location is positioned atop a massive cliff towering over the Atlantic Ocean with a freshwater lake at its other side. The cliff, the lake, at a stone wall that once surrounded the castle, made it nearly impregnable. The castle, one of the oldest castles in southern Ireland, was built by Donagh O’Mahony beginning in 1207.
Beautiful Architecture inside an abandoned mine
A mine like this might be abandoned when the mineral that is being mines, like coal or gold, is no longer present, or because the cost of operating the mine is too high compared to the amount it is producing. As stunningly beautiful as this mine is, with its gorgeous arched window, abandoned mines can be dangerous places. Many of them can pose a health risk, but there are also safety and environmental concerns. A push is underway to get governments around the world to help finance remediation or restoration efforts in abandoned mines to give the space new life and to reduce the dangers to the public.
Beautiful stained-glass window in an abandoned, high-end restaurant that looks over Lisbon, Portugal
This striking stained-glass window once shined down on an upscale restaurant in Lisbon, Portugal. If that pose looks familiar, it is because this is a modern take on Leonardo da Vinci’s famous sketch, the Vitruvian Man, from the year 1490. One of the most iconic imaged in the art world, the Vitruvian Man depicts a naked man in two super-imposed poses. The drawing showed Di Vinci’s ideal body proportions and the symmetry of the human form. The well-known Renaissance period drawing, the Vitruvian Man is often duplicated, just like this abandoned window.
Blue porcelain vase with elephant head. China, Qing dynasty, 1736-1795
The Qing dynasty of China, which lasted from 1736 to 1785, was a prosperous time for the country. This is represented by the beautiful art that flourished during this era. In addition to poetry and other literary works, paintings, and architecture, the Qing dynasty is also known for its ceramic vases. This was an interesting time for artists as they progress from the traditional choices of their predecessors to vases that reflect the influences of western cultures. This blue porcelain vase, which its unique rectangular design and an elephant motif.
Central California grand old home barely standing
Don’t you just hate seeing such gorgeous grand homes fall into ruins like this one? We aren’t sure why this stately home was abandoned but we can speculate. We know this photograph was taken in central California. That part of the state has experienced a rollercoaster of prosperity throughout its history. The California Gold Rush of 1849 brought thousands of people into the area, some of whom became wealthy enough to build a house like this. However, the wealth was sometimes fleeting, which could be why this grand lady was abandoned.
City Hall - abandoned subway station under Manhattan
It is now possible to tour this abandoned subway station, the City Hall station, beneath the streets of New York City. Architects George Lewis Heins and Christopher Grant La Farge, the same guys who designed the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, designed this ornate station which opened on October 27, 1904. This subway line connected City Hall with Times Square and Grand Central Terminal. Despite its oak furnishings, brass chandeliers, and elaborate skylights, the number of passengers dwindled so much that the station was closed on December 31, 1945.
Depictions of Medjed from the Greenfield papyrus 950s-930s BCE. Medjed, meaning "The Smiter," is an ancient Egyptian god who shoots rays of light from his eyes
This may look like a drawing of a last-minute Halloween costume, but it is a depiction of Medjed, an ancient Egyptian god known as ‘The Smiter’. As Egyptiam gods go, Medjed is one of the coolest. He can shoot rays of light from his eyes and moves about unseen. This image of Medjed is on the Greenfield papyrus, which dates to between the 950s and 930s BCE. The papyrus contains funerary texts that are part of The Book of the Dead and included magic spells to help a recently deceased person journey through the underworld on their way to the afterlife.
Found in a hotel car park in Philadelphia
What a shame that someone abandoned this car in a hotel parking garage. This is a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, a 2+2 convertible that was styled by Carrazzeria Ghia of Italy with hand-built bodyworks by Karmann of Germany. The cars were manufactured between 1957 and 1974 … some in Germany and some in Brazil. The styling of the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is unique and was influenced by some noted German sports car designers. For this vehicle to wind up sitting under a layer of dust in Philadelphia is a mystery.
Gallarus Oratory, a little stone chapel in Kerry, Ireland that may have been built either in the 12th century or the 1750's
This unique structure is the Gallarus Oratory of Kerry, Ireland. The name has been interpreted to mean ‘shelter for foreigners’, but its primary function was that of a chapel. There are no other stone chapels like this in Ireland, and there is some debate over the age of the building. Some say that it was constructed in the 1750s, but others contend that it is much older. They place it as far back as the 12th century. The Gallarus Oratory is located on the Dingle Peninsula and overlooks the harbor of Ard na Caithne.
Balsams Grand Hotel Resort New Hampshire- abandoned since 2011
Well, maybe not ‘abandoned’ but certainly not open and operational. This is the Balsams Grande Resort Hotel, located in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire. The building was first constructed at the end of the Civil War as a 25-room summer inn. It has been explained to host up to 400 guest who come to enjoy the 16 trails of alpine and cross-country skiing in the winter and the 18-hole championship golf course in the summer. The hotel and surrounding property were sold to a new owner in 2021 for $2.3 million. The new owner promptly closed the hotel and is trying to secure financing for redevelopment and reopening.
Old Land Rover Defender in Iceland
Iceland is a clean, modern, quirky place, but sometimes, the citizens don’t do a very good job of cleaning up after themselves. Here is a Land Rover that had been abandoned on the island of fire and ice and so it sits, slowing rusting away. In 1973, a U.S. Navy DC plane crashed on the black sand beach along the southern coast of Iceland and no one ever thought to remove it. It’s now one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions. Further north on the island and you will find an outdoor art exhibit that is nothing more than a collection of Mac computers from the late 1990s that have been left out in the elements for years. Strange…
Plates expired in 2007. The note says car must be removed by March 17, 2022 or it will be towed. This is a common site in downtown Memphis garages.
Abandoned vehicles is not just a problem in Memphis. It is a problem across the United States. Some of the issue stems from poverty. A person may be fortunate enough to have a car, but they cannot afford to pay for registration, insurance, and maintenance. When the car breaks down, they simply walk away from it. The plates on this car expired in 2007 but the car is still sitting, abandoned, in a parking garage, 15 years later. Abandoned vehicles, however, pose a safety and environmental hazard. It is also costly for taxpayers who have to foot the bill for law enforcement to remove the car and try to track down its owner.
Road trip exploring in Wisconsin
This derelict church on the backroads of Wisconsin has certainly seen better days. From the architectural style and building materials, it is likely that this church was constructed in the mid-1800s. It may have even been built before Wisconsin officially became a state on May 29, 1848. French missionaries had been in the area since the early 1700s and worked to convert the Native Americans to Catholicism. Perhaps this was one of their churches. Or it could have been built by European settlers who made their homes in the area because they were attracted by the abundant farmland.
Roman mosaic discovered during more recent excavations in Pompeii. 1st century
Pompeii still has many secrets it has yet to reveal. When the city, located at the base of Mount Vesuvius, fell victim to the massive volcanic eruption in 79 A.D., it was almost perfectly preserved under the ask and rubble for centuries. It offered archaeologists a rare glimpse into everyday life in Rome in those days. There is still much work to be done at the Pompeii excavation site and still plenty of fascinating items to be unearthed, like this gorgeous mosaic.
This boat was left abandoned in Fiji after 2016 hurricane. Pic taken in 2018.
Hurricane Winston was one of the strongest tropical cyclones to make landfall. The intense – and costly – storm struck the low-lying island of Vanuatu on February 7, 2016. It picked up more speed after leaving the island nation on its way to its next target, Tonga. It hit there on February 17. It then intensified to a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 175 miles per hour as it bore down on Fiji. In its wake, it left a path of destruction. The impacted areas are still dealing with the aftermath of Winston today.
Somewhere Underneath the Alps
This photo shows an abandoned tunnel beneath the Alps of Central Europe, but it certainly wasn’t the first or last tunnel under this mountain range. The Alps are an impressively tall and rugged mountain range. Crossing over them can be challenging, especially in the winter months. So, if you can’t go over them, it might be best to go under them. Or through them, to be more accurate. Currently, there are several tunnels that provide a shorter, faster route through the mountains. Perhaps the best known of these is the Mont Blanc tunnel that connects France with Italy.
Sterick building in Memphis TN. Abandoned for decades. Too expensive to bring up to seismic code.
The Sterick Building in downtown Memphis, which stands 29 floors tall, was called the “Queen of Memphis” when it first opened its doors in 1930. With its white stone spire and green tile roof, the granite and limestone office building once housed a bank, a barber shop, and a pharmacy, in addition to office space. By the 1960s, most of the buildings in Memphis were newer and more modern. Tenants began leaving the Sterick Building even though the structure was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1978. By the mid-1980s, the building has been left vacant.
The abandoned Viking village film set in Iceland
No, this scene isn’t an ancient settlement built by the Vikings centuries ago, but it sure looks it. It is a replica of a Viking village was built on a beautiful and remote spot between Hofn and Djupivogur in southwest Iceland to serve as the set for a movie that was never filmed. If you are visiting Iceland, you can stop by this Viking village to soak up the vibe. Be warned. You might feel like a longboat explorer off on a pillaging raid. As an added bonus, there is an authentic Icelandic restaurant nearby, a windswept beach with a cool lighthouse, and plenty of Icelandic horses.
The back falling off of this unmarked building in Toronto
Toronto is one of the world’s great modern cities with several unique buildings and skyscrapers. But this photo shows us that they are some areas of the city that need attention. A crack like this is seen most often in places where there is seismic activity. An earthquake can certainly do this kind of damage. Toronto, however, is not located on a fault line. The damage in this photo could be caused by the ground drastically shifting or by shoddy workmanship.
The inside of St Mary's Church, Tintern, Wales
St. Mary’s Church of Tintern, Wales, was built in 1131 in the picturesque Wye Valley. Sadly, the church was destroyed in a fire in 1977 and only the façade remains. It remains a popular tourist destination. In fact, it is an easy stroll from the nearby Tintern Abbey. It’s a pretty walk too. The countryside is green and peaceful, and you are rewarded with scenic views of the river. If you want to see some of the former possessions of the church – like the communion plate, candlesticks, and alter cross, you just need to stop at St. Michael’s Church on the other end of Tintern.
