An urban explorer has shared his ultimate top 10 abandoned locations from all over the world.
Bob Thissen, 33, from the Netherlands, started investigating decaying spots in his local area as a teenager and his hobby developed into a passion which has seen him explore thousands of sites scattered across more than 50 countries.
Topping his list is an eerie hangar in Kazakhstan, where two Soviet space shuttle prototypes can be found gathering dust.
Topping Thissen’s list is an eerie hangar in Kazakhstan, where two Soviet space shuttle prototypes can be found gathering dust. The urban explorer spent three days in the desert in order to reach the location, which he admits was by far the hardest of his adventures, yet the most rewarding
In second place is Fukushima, for its haunting remains of once bustling areas. Thissen believes the site is just about bad as it was seven years ago after the nuclear power plant accident. He visited abandoned supermarkets which are still stocked with products never purchased
Washing in at third place is an abandoned oil rig off the Scottish coast of Cromarty Firth, which Thissen ventured to with a group of other explorers for a weekend
Thissen spent three days in the desert in order to reach the location, which he admits was by far the hardest of his adventures, yet the most rewarding.
In second place is Fukushima in Japan, for its haunting remains of once bustling areas.
Thissen believes the site is just about as bad as it was seven years ago after the nuclear power plant accident, which was caused by a tsunami. He visited abandoned supermarkets which are still stocked with products never purchased.
Washing in at third place is an abandoned oil rig off the Scottish coast of Cromarty Firth, which Thissen ventured to with a group of other explorers for a weekend.
Continuing on a maritime theme, Thissen placed Colbert – an anti-air cruiser now moored in France’s Gironde estuary – at fourth on his list.
It was destined to be scrapped until the 1990s when it was converted into a museum.
Thissen popped Colbert – an anti-air cruiser now moored in France’s Gironde estuary – at fourth on his list. It was destined to be scrapped until the 1990s when it was converted into a museum. However, the ship closed to the public 12 years ago and was towed to a new site with plans in place to deconstruct and demolish it
Claiming fifth position is a discarded army diving boat off the coast of Portugal, which proved tricky to find with its location kept firmly underwraps
In sixth place is Nara Dreamland, a bizarre yet impressive Disney-inspired amusement park in Tokyo Japan. It opened in 1961 and closed in 2006 as a result of poor visitor rates
However, the ship closed to the public 12 years ago and was towed to a new site with plans in place to deconstruct and demolish it.
Claiming fifth position, is a discarded army diving boat off the coast of Portugal, which proved tricky to find with its location kept firmly underwraps.
In sixth place, was Nara Dreamland a bizarre yet impressive Disney-inspired amusement park in Tokyo Japan. It opened in 1961 and closed in 2006 as a result of poor visitor rates.
In seventh, is another closed Japanese attraction, Glück Kingdom, an amusement park based on German designs and buildings, including tributes to Brothers Grimm and their chilling fairy tales.
Staying in the area, Battleship Island in Japan claimed number eight, which was bought by Mitsubishi to extract coal from the sea and an artificial city arose. But when coal was replaced by petroleum, the mines began closing and the island was officially cleared of residents in 1974.
Glück Kingdom is a Japanese attraction which is now closed. The amusement park was based on German designs and buildings, including tributes to Brothers Grimm and their chilling fairy tales. It is seventh on Thissen’s list
Battleship Island in Japan claimed number eight on Thissen’s list. The outcrop was bought by Mitsubishi to extract coal from the sea and an artificial city arose. But when coal was replaced by petroleum, the mines began closing and the island was officially cleared of residents in 1974
For number nine, Bob selected the many abandoned castles he had visited, particularly those hidden away from vandals deep in the woods or out of sight. Above, an unnamed castle, complete with gradually fading furnishings
Today, the island’s most notable features are its abandoned concrete buildings and the surrounding sea wall.
For number nine, Thissen selected the many abandoned castles he had visited, particularly those hidden away from vandals deep in the woods or out of sight.
Rounding out the selection at number 10 is Holmesburg Prison in Philadelphia, USA. The former correction facility was reportedly where medical experiments were conducted on detainees between 1961 and 1974.
Commenting on his top ten list, Thissen said: ‘These locations are well preserved, have natural decay, a lot of history and you can spend days in there without getting bored.
Rounding out the selection at number ten, is Holmesburg Prison in Philadelphia, USA. The former correction facility was reportedly where medical experiments were conducted on detainees between 1961 and 1974
‘They are the coolest locations I have visited in the past decade. I often have to laugh when I see other ‘top abandoned places’ because there are often just some ruins in those lists.’
The keen traveller became fascinated with old, history-rich locations that had been forgotten during his teen years.
He now runs a popular YouTube series, Exploring the Unbeaten Path, to document his fascinating trips which often take weeks to plan.
Explaining the lure of urban exploration, he said: ‘Urban exploring is a nice way to discover the world. You visit areas and countries you wouldn’t have seen if you didn’t visit abandoned buildings.
‘You also learn a lot about history, geography, how things work and more. You see a lot of types of buildings which most people never get to see.
Thissen has released a book to commemorate his journeys, titled: ‘Exploring the Unbeaten Path – Documenting the Most Amazing Abandoned Locations Worldwide’
‘Most of these places are like a museum, but without a guide and limitations. Most of the buildings should be a museum, but most of the time there’s simply no money for it. Often these buildings are heritage.
‘It’s full of adrenaline and adventure, every trip is another adventure and you never know what will happen and where you will end up. It’s some kind of off the beaten path tourism.’
- Thissen has released a book to commemorate his journeys, titled: ‘Exploring the Unbeaten Path – Documenting the Most Amazing Abandoned Locations Worldwide’ which is priced at €39.95 and can be purchased via www.mijnwebwinkel.nl.