40 Chillingly Beautiful Abandoned Photographs

Published August 23, 2013
Updated January 9, 2020

In these abandoned photographs, time is the ultimate source of authority: it weathers trains, sinks stadiums, and causes castles to crumble.

Looking at abandoned photographs, we are reminded of how quickly paint cracks and peels, and we, too, grow old and fade away. To view an abandoned space is to acknowledge the existential emptiness that defines us and yet drives us to fill it with the company of others, a good book, and a handful of living, breathing memories.

In this series of abandoned photographs, time is presented as the ultimate source of authority: it weathers trains, sinks stadiums, and causes castles to crumble. The pictorial message is chilling yet also somewhat liberating; here are 40 of the most evocative abandoned photographs:


If you enjoyed these beautiful abandoned photographs, check out our posts on abandoned Detroit and the most popular All That's Interesting pictures!

author
All That's Interesting
author
Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.
editor
Savannah Cox
editor
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.