Some places are left to be forgotten, but enthusiasts who love mysterious sites have rediscovered them. Some of them were abandoned long ago, so the time took its toll. Still, a few morbid attractions draw people, including cemeteries. We can't argue they are the main attraction in some cities, as a resting place for some influential people. Although, this can't change the fact that visiting these areas can give you goosebumps. So let's check the top ten famous abandoned places that magically attract people.
10. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Just the word "Voodoo" gives creeps to some people. However, the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau was very much respected
Established in 1789 and still active since then, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is the oldest one in New Orleans. Many historical figures are buried at this spooky location, so it's not surprising that over 100,000 people come each year. However, some tombs attract much more visitors, such as Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau's grave.
Queen Marie has remained a very respected resident of New Orleans since she helped many during the outbreak of yellow fever. Urban legend even says that if you place a triple X on her tomb, she will grant you a wish. Hence, this attracted many tourists over the years, ruining the grave. Today, a guided tour is the only way to visit the cemetery.
9. Beelitz-Heilstatten Hospital, Germany
What can you expect from Hitler's hospital than to be spooky
This hospital is located near Berlin and was built at the end of the 19th century. Moreover, young Adolf Hitler healed his wounds here during WWI, earning a Golden Cross for his injuries. Later on, this was a military hospital throughout WWII. Moreover, after the war, it kept its purpose until 1995, when most of the complex was abandoned.
For years this spooky place was left to rot, attracting drunken teenagers and some bypassers. However, as the interest in Beelitz-Heilstatten Hospital rose, local authorities elevated paths for sightseeing. While you can take a peek inside the hospital without entering it, tours allow you to get inside. However, only some buildings are connected by sightseeing paths, so you can explore them without a fee. Even though that's not entirely legal, it doesn't stop the curious ones.
8. Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, Rock, West Virginia, USA
If you wish to explore paranormal activities, visit Lake Shawnee Amusement Park
A long time ago, this was the burial ground of the Native American tribe. Still, in the 18th century, the Clay family, with 14 children, settled there. However, indigenes killed three of them, so the head of the family retaliated. That's why this place's mysterious, haunted past has an ominous reputation. However, until the mid-1920s, this was a peaceful spot. This was when an American businessman bought the country and built the Lake Shawnee Amusement Park.
During the 40 years of operating, there were a few accidental deaths, so the place was closed in 1966. Therefore, it's not surprising that the stories labeling this spot as cursed and haunted rose up. Today, the park regularly attracts explorers of the paranormal.
7. General Cemetery, Guatemala City, Guatemala
A couple of times a year, you can stumble at the corpses being relocated at Guatemala City Cemetery
Guatemala General Cemetery has approximately a dozen daily burials due to many suicides and widespread crime. As a consequence, the cemetery faced a horrifying truth, becoming full. Hence, when the loved ones don't pay the rent, the remains are removed from, as they thought, their last resting place.
Therefore, a couple of times a year, the grave cleaners open up the crypts, label the corpses and rebury them in a massive grave. This gives the cemetery a spooky vibe since the upper tombs' bodies are exposed to high temperatures, becoming mummified. The visitors can stumble upon this sight if they visit during the cleanup.
6. Haunted Places
We'll just say "The Shining." Creepy, isn't it?
The legendary Stanley Hotel at Estes Park, Colorado, inspired Stephen King's book The Shining. Later, Stanley Kubrick made a movie based on the book, and the rest is history. Allegedly haunted hotel rooms are the ones visitors want to stay in. Moreover, the hotel offers a guided tour explaining the establishment's story and its ghosts.
Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, was once a residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of the firearm magnate. Allegedly, the residence is haunted by the ghosts of those who died from Winchester rifles. House is a highly-rated tourist attraction, with staircases and doors that lead nowhere - spooky!
5. Pripyat, Ukraine
Pripyat is just too spooky, abandoned, and left to rot
This was once a town full of prosperity, built to accommodate nuclear plant Chernobyl employees and their families. Nevertheless, today it stands deserted while sending an eerie vibe. Moreover, after so many years since the nuclear accident back in 1986, it's still radioactive.
However, people are drawn to the Pripyat, a town of ghosts abandoned years ago and left to rot since. The government put a lot of effort into reducing radioactivity by cleaning up the surrounding area, but it's still spooky. However, it became a tourist spot, so the visits under strictly guided and regulated supervision gained popularity.
4. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
The criminals have a mind of their own, and those who spent time in Eastern State Penitentiary have gone insane
When the Eastern State Penitentiary was opened in 1829, it had the vision to rehabilitate the prisoners. It even was constructed a bit like a cathedral to make the inmates repent. Moreover, each cell had skylights so God could light wisdom onto the convicts. The rehabilitation plan was to isolate the prisoners and make them read the Bible, but it backfired. Hence, many convicts went insane after a short time spent in Eastern State Penitentiary.
Moreover, due to the need to accommodate many inmates (including Willie Sutton and Al Capone) and other issues, the prison was closed after 142 years. Therefore, it's one of the abandoned places with history. Today, this tourist attraction has a spooky look and haunted halls, with screams of inmates gone insane echoing all over the place. Or at least that's how they advertise it.
3. Capuchin Catacombs, Palermo, Italy
If you wish to hang out with mummified corpses, you can do that at Capuchin Catacombs
Once this was a burial place, and now it's a tourist spot! Freaky, spooky, weird, call it whatever, or call it a tourist attraction! Wanna have a romantic holiday? Just book a ticket to Italy (Palermo, Sicily, to be precise) and spend some time with 8,000 corpses and 1,252 mummies.
By now, we know that we all have different approaches to death. Some find it interesting to visit the catacombs, and we can't argue that Capuchin Catacombs, as a part of the Capuchin Monastery, have a fascinating background. Still, it has an eerie vibe as the catacomb's eldest corps date back to 1599. Hence, tradition, history, and secrecy make this a morbid tourist attraction!
2. Sedlec Ossuary, Kutna Hora, Czech Republic
Entering the Sedlec Ossuary church and admiring the art made of bones is pretty spooky
The haunting beauty of Sedlec Ossuary, located east of Prague, lies in its decoration. That's because over 40,000 human skeletons have been used to decorate this old medieval gothic church's interior. Sedlec Ossuary is often called the Bone Church, as the stunning chandelier made out of bones dominates this place.
The interior was created because of a lack of space for the deceased. So in 1870, the church officials assigned the bones to local woodcarver Frantisek Rindt, who did a remarkable job decorating the interior with the remains. Hence, this brings tourists from all over the world to Kutna Hora to admire bone art.
1. Hanging Coffins of Sagada, Sagada, Philippines
Hanging Coffins of Sagada attract more visitor every year, so kudos for keeping the tradition
Igorot tribes from the northern part of the Philippines buried their deceased in coffins hanging on a cliff for over 2,000 years. Furthermore, they believe that this way, the soul will be brought closer to their ancestral spirits. Also, they are placed inside the coffin in the fetal position, as they assume that the individual should leave this world the same way they came into it.
The caskets are attached to the cliff by ropes or nailed since this high position ensures that animals won't rip the deceased. Lately, Hanging Coffins of Sagrada has attracted visitors, bringing benefits to this secluded place.
We don't know about you, but we wouldn't step foot in catacombs to look at the mummified corpses. This top ten list is just too creepy to us, but suit yourself!
Would you dare watch "The Shining" and spend the next night at Stanley Hotel? What was the spookiest place you have ever visited?