Evocative of our own limits, these abandoned structures provide us an opportunity to consider our place--however temporary--in the world.
A building is never just that. It can be a place we call home, a repository for memories, an intimate space where we share even more intimate ideas; it’s one of the ways we as people lay physical claim to the world in which we live.
And just as a building is more than its material components, the same can be said for a building in shambles. Evocative of our own limits, mortality and time’s dominion over all, these abandoned structures provide as much aesthetic interest as they do opportunities to consider our place–however temporary–in the world:
Nature asserts its power in Asunción, Paraguay. Source: Imgur
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This abandoned Soviet hospital isn't exactly where you'd like to get a medical procedure.
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A staircase within the Beelitz Military Hospital.
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A blade mill returns to nature in France. Source: Imgur
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The exterior of Belgium's Chateau Miranda. The castle was built for a family in 1866 but came under possession during World War II by the National Railway Company of Belgium, where it was converted into an orphanage. The castle has been abandoned since 1991.
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.
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.