Forgotten and abandoned castles around the world. The enchanting beauty of abandoned castles

In the once destroyed majestic buildings has its own charm. The façade falls into disrepair, huge halls become home to insects and dust, and elegant architecture is destroyed by time and weather. We offer you a selection of the most spectacular crumbling mansions.

(Total 13 photos)

1. Podgoretsky Castle, Ukraine

This castle, built between 1635 and 1640, was once richly furnished, but during the First World War soldiers destroyed all the luxury of the interior. Shortly before this, the castle became the property of Roman Sangushko, who took several valuable pieces of furniture from there and transported them to Brazil in 1936. After World War II Soviet Union used the castle as a tuberculosis sanatorium, but in 1956 ancient building ignited and burned for three weeks. As a result, all the beauty of the interior decoration was lost. The Lviv Art Gallery is trying to restore the building, but so far no noticeable improvements have been observed.

3. Miranda Castle, Celle, Belgium

Miranda Castle was built in 1866 by an English architect for the Ledeckerke-Bofot family. The family lived there until World War II, when the mansion was taken over by the Belgian national railway company. It has been empty since 1991, in part because the owners refuse to turn it over to the municipality.

5. Halcyon Hall, Millbrook, New York, USA

Initially, Halcyon Hall was built in 1890 as a luxury hotel, but in 1901 it was closed. However, the building received a second life when the Bennet School for Girls moved in a few years later, and the castle became for a while a home for students from wealthy families. But with the popularization of joint education, the school could not develop and went bankrupt in 1978. Since then, no one has used the house.

6Lillesden Mansion, UK

This mansion was built between 1853 and 1855 by a banker named Edward Lloyd. After the First World War, the house was sold and became a public school for girls. It closed in 1999 and the building has not been used since.

8. Bannerman Castle, New York, USA

A Scottish immigrant, Francis Bannerman, bought the island in 1900 and built a castle there to store the munitions that form the basis of his business. Two years after Bannerman's death in 1918, 200 tons of shells and gunpowder exploded, destroying a small part of the building. Then, in 1969, part of the floors and roof burned down in a fire. Since 1950, the island has been considered uninhabited, as the ferry serving it sank during a storm. In 2009, the rest of the building collapsed.

9. , Russia

The architect P. S. Bortsov built many French-style castles in the 19th century, but the estate in Muromtsevo is by far the most memorable of them.

These creepy images of abandoned places on our planet give us an idea of ​​what this world would look like if people left it.

A tree grows in an abandoned piano

Click on the pictures to enlarge the image.

UFO houses in Sanzhi, Taiwan

Also known as the Sanzhi Skeet Houses, a futuristic complex of 60 durable fiberglass UFO-shaped houses in Sanzhi County, Xinbei, Taiwan. An unrealized project of groups of companies under the patronage of the state of a complex of ultra-modern houses for the capital's rich.

Overgrown Palace, Poland

In 1910 this palace was built as a home for the Polish nobility. Under the communist regime, the palace became an agricultural technical school, and then a mental hospital. The building has been empty since the 1990s.

Jet Star Amusement Park, New Jersey, USA

These slides remained in Atlantic Ocean after Storm Sandy in 2013. They rusted for six months until they were dismantled.

Abandoned house in the forest

Church in Saint-Etienne, France

Abandoned church with dummies of parishioners, Netherlands

Puppet factory, Spain

tree sprouting through bike

Shipwrecks on a sandbar, Bermuda Triangle

Floating forest, Sydney, Australia

Cinema in Detroit, Michigan, USA

As Detroit deteriorated, many of its historical buildings were abandoned.

Shipyard in Vallejo, California, USA

The Mare Island Naval Shipyard served as a submarine port during both World Wars. In the 1990s, the building was abandoned and flooded.

House between two trees, Florida, USA

Titanic

The Titanic went to the first and last flight in April 1912. 73 years later big ship at the beginning of the 20th century was found at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

Circular railway, Paris, France

Railway Petite Ceinture was built in 1852 and passed between the main stations of Paris within the walls of the city. During its operation, it connected five city highways. Since 1934 Railway, as well as some of its stations are partially abandoned.

Spreepark, Berlin, Germany

In 1969, an amusement park with rides, cafes and green lawns was built on the banks of the Spree in the southeast of the city. After the unification of the two Berlins, the park lost its relevance and closed due to insufficient funding.

Library, Russia

Island house, Finland

Turquoise Canal, Venice, Italy

Like any other city, Venice has abandoned places. But there they look even more picturesque.

Stairway to nowhere, Pismo Beach, California, USA

Nara Dreamland Park, Japan

Nara Dreamland was built in 1961 as the Japanese answer to Disneyland and even included its own version of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Closed in 2006 due to low visitor numbers.

Abandoned Mining Road, Taiwan

abandoned pier

Bare footprints in an abandoned nuclear reactor

indoor water park

Elling, Lake Obersee, Germany

Abandoned administrative building in Italy

Methodist Church in Indiana, USA

Gary, Indiana, was founded in 1905 during the US steel boom. In the 1950s, over 200,000 people lived and worked in this city. After the fall of the dispute on steel, almost half of the city was empty.

Church in the snow, Canada

Blue spiral staircase in european castle

Soviet naval test station in Makhachkala, Russia

Church bell tower in frozen lake, Reschen, Italy

Lake Reschen is a reservoir in which several villages and a 14th-century church were flooded.

Glenwood Power Plant, New York, USA

This power plant, built in 1906, has long been outdated. After closing in 1968, it has been used as a location for filming thrillers and zombie films.

flooded mall

Train station in Canfranc, Spain

Canfranc is small town located near the border with France. In 1928, the largest and most beautiful at that time railroad station in the world, which was called "sparkling gem modern".

Destroyed in 1970 railroad bridge on the road to Canfranc and the station was closed. The bridge was not restored, and the former "pearl of modernity" began to fall into disrepair.

abandoned theater

Car cemetery, Ardennes, Belgium

Many American soldiers on the Western Front during World War II purchased cars for personal use. When the war ended, it turned out that it was very expensive to send them home, and many cars remained here.

Attraction in Chernobyl, Ukraine

Abandoned hospital. Chernobyl, Ukraine

The city of Pripyat was empty after a disaster in 1986 on a nearby Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Since then it has been empty and will remain empty for thousands of years.

City Hall Subway Station, New York, USA

City Hall Station was opened in 1904 and closed in 1945. Only 600 people a day used it when it was in operation.

Abandoned house in Virginia, USA

Poveglia Island, Italy

Poveglia is an island in the Venetian lagoon, which during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte became an insulator for victims of the plague, and later an asylum for the mentally ill.

Gulliver's Travels Park, Kawagushi, Japan

The park opened in 1997. Lasted only 10 years and was abandoned due to financial problems

Lighthouse on Aniva rock, Sakhalin, Russia

The Aniva lighthouse was established in 1939 by the Japanese (then this part of Sakhalin belonged to them) on a small rock Sivuchya, near the hard-to-reach rocky Cape Aniva. This area is replete with currents, frequent fogs, underwater rocky banks. The height of the tower is 31 meters, the height of light is 40 meters above sea level.

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

A castle located on a rocky island in the Loch Duich fjord in Scotland. One of the most romantic castles in Scotland, it is famous for its heather honey and interesting history. Films were filmed in the castle: "The Ghost Goes West" (1935), "The Master of Ballantrae" (1953), "Highlander" (1986), "Mio, My Mio" (1987), "And the whole world is not enough" (1999) , A friend of the bride (2008).

Abandoned windmill, Ontario, Canada

Shicheng Underwater City, China

Under the water column of the Thousand Islands Lake in China is hidden underwater city Shicheng City. The architecture of the city remained almost untouched, for which archaeologists called it the "time capsule". Shicheng or, as it is also called "Lion City", was founded more than 1339 years ago. During the construction of the hydroelectric power station in 1959, it was decided to flood the city.

Seaforts of Munsell, UK

in shallow water North Sea off the coast of Great Britain, abandoned sea ​​forts air defense systems. Their main tasks were to protect large industrial centers England from air attacks from the most vulnerable direction - from the sea - from the mouths of the rivers Thames and Mersey and protection of approaches from the sea to London and Liverpool, respectively.

Christ from the Abyss, San Fruttoso, Italy

Statue of Jesus Christ, located at the bottom of the sea, in the bay of San Fruttuoso, near Genoa. The statue, about 2.5 meters high, was installed on August 22, 1954 at a depth of 17 meters. In addition, in different parts of the world there are several similar statues (both copies of the original and variations on its theme), also bearing the name "Christ from the Abyss".

Ryugyong Hotel, Pyongyang, North Korea

Now it is the largest and highest structure in Pyongyang and the DPRK as a whole. The hotel was supposed to open in June 1989, but construction problems and a lack of materials delayed the opening. The Japanese press estimated the amount spent on the construction at $750 million - 2% of North Korea's GDP. In 1992, due to lack of funding and general economic crisis construction in the country was stopped.

The main part of the tower was built, but windows, communications and equipment were not installed. The top of the building is of poor quality and may fall off. The current structure of the building cannot be used. The North Korean government is trying to attract $300 million in foreign investment to develop and build a new design hotel, but for now it has removed the long-term construction from maps and postage stamps.

No less beautiful and captivating castles will appear before you. Unfortunately, they have not become so popular, and their demise is not far off. But still they deserve to be an object of admiration.

1. Podgoretsky Castle, Ukraine

One of the best architectural monuments in Europe in the Renaissance style with bastion fortifications. Once an important defensive point and estate of the crown hetman Koniecpolsky, and today it is a medieval ruin, which they are trying to revive with all their might.

The fall of the fortress began at the beginning of the 20th century with the advent of the First World War. Then the castle was used as a haven for the Austro-Hungarian army. Then for a short time there was a museum of paintings. But soon, in the midst of World War II, Soviet troops set up a hospital here, where patients with tuberculosis were treated. Then there was a fire when the last remains of the former greatness burned down interior decoration castle.

Today the castle belongs to the Lviv Art Gallery, which takes care of it.shchim. On this moment closed for renovation work. Does the castle itself remind you of anything? Of course! It was filmed d "Artagnan.

2. Miranda Castle, Celle, Belgium

A fairly young castle was built in 1866 to order for the noble Ledekerke-Bofot family by an English architect. Perhaps that is why it resembles the appearance of a private English school in the suburbs or a trendy junior college.

Five generations of the owner's family lived here until World War II. Then the estate was taken over by the Belgian railway company. Since 1956 it has housed Kid `s camp. Then the castle was called Chateau de Noisy, Castle of Noise and Balagan. But since 1991 it has been empty. One of the last descendants of the family, already an old man, lives somewhere in France and is categorically against the sale of property. Maybe he's right, but the castle is already falling apart: it has become a hangout for the homeless and refugees.

3. Halcyon Hall, Millbrook, New York, USA.

"Halcyon Hall" is primarily a hotel that was built in 1890, but after 11 years in 1901 it was closed, as it did not bring profit. But six years later, Halcyon Hall again received guests. Mae Bennett, the founder of the girls' college, had long been looking for a suitable place for her pupils. And finally, having found this nice place, she settled here for a long 70 years. In 1978 the college was dissolved due to lack of Money, and Halcyon Hall was empty, it seems, forever ...

4. Lillesden Mansion, UK

The fate of Lillesden Castle is almost the same: it is also empty ...

But first it was built as the mansion of one of the wealthy and successful bankers of the mid-19th century, Edward Lloyd. After more than fifty years, he became a building for a public school for girls, but she went bankrupt after a while. Therefore, since 1999, Lillesden will be abandoned.

5. Bannerman Castle, New York, USA

From the look of this castle, you would never guess where it is! It seems to be a typical building for old England, old Europe. But no! In fact, Bannerman Castle is located just 50 km from New York on a small island.

At the beginning of the 20th century, a Scottish immigrant named Bannerman arrived in these parts. He bought an island, built a fortress, where he hid a lot of ammunition, which was his capital in business. From that moment began the troubled history of the castle. The fact is that the ammunition with the death of its owner began to explode, destroying parts of the castle. Today only the back part of the building remains.

6. Manor in Muromtsevo, Russia

This mansion is very rare. french style on Russian territory. Few landowners dared to take such courage - to move away from the traditional building. They became Colonel Khrapovitsky. In general, a wise and intelligent leader of the nobility.

It is worth noting his perspicacity: with the advent of Soviet power, he voluntarily transferred his mansion with a complete inventory of property to the new state. He did this so that his child would avoid the devastating consequences of the nationalization of property. In general, Khrapovitsky judged correctly, because the castle was not mutilated, abandoned or destroyed, it was constantly in the field of view of local authorities.

Today, activists have achieved a special status for the castle in Muromtsevo.

7. Palace of Prince Said Hasim, Cairo, Egypt

A completely atypical style of execution for the Egyptian regions. We expect to see something akin ancient pyramid, with windows, towers and statues. And in front of us is like an ordinary five-story "Stalinka"!

Once a family mansion, after a while - a private school for boys, and now also an empty hundred-year-old castle.

Castles served as impenetrable fortresses in the Middle Ages, but many of them have become spooky and overgrown in modern times.
Here are 13 abandoned castles around the world and their history.

Bannerman Castle - Beacon, New York


Bannerman Castle was once used as a gun store for Frank Bannerman, a Scottish munitions dealer in New York. Bannerman and his wife eventually built a glamorous, castle-like house on a lot located on Pollepel Island in the Hudson River and resided there during the summer.

Bannerman's name can still be seen on its walls despite several fires. Visitors can tour the island by boat.

Gwych Castle - North Wales, UK


Griph Castle was built in the early 1800s as the home of Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh. It is said that Queen Victoria once visited him.

It had a total of 128 rooms, including 28 bedrooms, an external hall, inner hall, two smoking rooms, a dining room, a living room, a billiard room and a number of servants' quarters. It housed 200 Jewish refugees during World War II and was later opened to the public as theme park with the zoo.

The castle was purchased several years ago with the intention of turning it into Opera theatre and a luxury hotel, but the plan never came to fruition.

Ruins - Talisay, Philippines


Legend has it that Don Mariano Ledesma Laxon, a sugar baron who owned plantations in the 20th century, built the mansion in memory of his wife, who died while pregnant with her 11th child.

The building was reportedly set on fire by the US military on purpose to prevent the Japanese from using it as a base during World War II, but its walls are still standing.

Heidelberg Castle - Heidelberg, Germany


The history of Heidelberg Castle dates back to the 1300s, Prince Elector Ruprecht III turned it into royal residence, which was used for 400 years, until 1764, when the castle was struck by lightning and mostly destroyed.

The inhabitants of Heidelberg began to use its stones to build their own houses until Count Charles de Greimberg began to preserve the ruins in 1800. The castle is still largely abandoned today, but is available as a wedding venue.

Aughnanure Castle - Oughterard, Ireland


O "Flahertys, an Irish Gaelic clan, controlled a piece of land outside Oughterard and built Aughnanure Castle around 1500. Their motto is: "Fortune favors the strong."

Currently owned by the Office public works, the ruins contain the remains of a banquet hall, watchtower and dry harbour. Guided walks are available.

Virginia Renaissance Fair - Fredericksburg, Virginia


The Renaissance Fair Virginia castle is not actually from the Middle Ages, it stands abandoned in the middle of a swampy forest. From 1996 to 1999, Fair tried to receive visitors, but remoteness and dirt meant that there were very few visitors, the business was not profitable, and was abandoned. Since then, the castle stands alone in the forest among the swamps, not attracting people.

Fasil Gebbi - Gondar, Ethiopia


Fazil Gebbi, surrounded by a nearly 3,000-foot wall, was a walled city in the 16th and XVII centuries, which had palaces, castles, a library and churches. The Ethiopian Emperor Fazilid lived there and the city remained the seat of the Ethiopian government until 1864, according to UNESCO. Between 1930 and 1936 the city was destroyed, UNESCO began rebuilding in the 1990s.

Champollion Palace - Cairo, Egypt


Champollion Palace, built in 1899 and located in today's downtown Cairo, was the home of Prince Said Halim Pacha until he was exiled after the First World War. Then the palace became high school for boys from elite families, but the number of children was insufficient and the school closed.

Dunstanburgh Castle - Northumberland, England


The Earl Thomas of Lancaster, a baron of King Edward II, built Dunstanburgh Castle as a symbol of defiance against the king in 1313. Their relationship worsened, so he built a fortress to protect himself.
His military rebellion failed and the count was executed in 1322.
The castle is now tourist attraction, run by the National Trust, offers "ghost walks" and wildlife viewing.

Criccieth Castle - Gwynedd, Wales


Much of the history of Krichezem Castle remains a mystery, but it is estimated to have begun in the 13th century, linked to the name of Llywelyn the Great, Prince of Gwynedd. The castle was then used as a prison until 1404, when Llywelyn's son Gruffydd was imprisoned there.
The castle was burned down in the 15th century during the last major Welsh rebellion against the English. It is now open to the public as a tourist site.

Carew Castle - Pembrokeshire, Wales


Carew Castle is located along the Carew River in Wales. It was built by Sir Nicholas de Carew, a high-ranking officer, in the 13th century. After various owners were executed for treason or imprisoned by various monarchs, the castle was abandoned around 1686.

In 1983 national park began to restore the castle, which is now a full-fledged tourist center for visitors. The earth also has a large number of bats, making the area a site of special scientific interest.

Castle Podgortsy - Lviv region, Ukraine


Podgortsy Castle was built for the Polish military commander Stanisław Koniecpolski in the 17th century. The castle itself was designed by the Italian architect Andrea del Aqua and its defenses were designed by the French Guillaume de Beauplan. It contained a collection of art and weapons.

The new owners in the 1800s did not save the castle - it was vandalized, falling into disrepair, eventually turning into a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients. The fire of 1956 caused great damage. Restoration work began in 1997.

Sammezzano Castle - Tuscany, Italy


Sammezzano Castle was built on the territory royal palace 17th century, which belonged to the Spanish nobleman Ximenes of Aragon. Marquis Ferdinando Ximenes Panciatichi rebuilt the entire site in 1853. After his death, the castle became a luxury hotel, but soon went bankrupt and remained abandoned until the 1990s.
Now it is being restored.