Another installment in our series on abandoned places in the world.
1. Village of Doel, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Ever wonder what the end of times will look like? It will look a lot like Belgium. Located in the Oost-Vlaanderen region, the village of Doel dates back to the 13th century. Beginning in the 1970s, the village became a target for demolition in order for the government to expand Antwerp’s harbour. Virtually deserted since 1999, street artists have transformed the village into an artistic visual field.
2. Underground Naples, Campania, Italy
Directly below the bustling streets of Naples lies a subterranean world of caves, catacombs, aqueducts, frescoes, mosaics, a Roman market, WW2 air-raid shelters, and probably someone named Umberto. Beginning in 470 BCE, the Greeks set about extracting large quantities of tufa, porous and easily manipulated volcanic ash and rock to build Neopolis, meaning “new city.” From there, the Romans constructed a system of underground aqueducts, while the early Christians dug caves to worship their dead. So far, more than 900 caves (totaling 1 million square meters) have been discovered and experts believe that another 2 million square meters remain hidden. Guided 2-hour tours are available on a daily basis.
3. Birkwood Hospital, Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire, Scotland
Construction on the Birkwood House began in the 1850s and was designed by architect John Baird for the McKirdy family. Eventually sold to the Lanarkshire Council in the early 1920s, the house was converted into a psychiatric hospital for children. Due to its remote location and the changing nature of mental health care for minors, the hospital was closed in 2002.
For previous entries, please click here.
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