Ruins of Belchite, Spain | Photo by jackf via 123RF. ()
Every town, village and city has a story. Ghost towns offer something special – a captivating historical account of a place once filled with bustling businesses, families and life which often times, tragically, cease to exist. In Europe, well-known ghost towns include Pripyat, Ukraine (of Chernobyl infamy) and Pompeii, Italy (of Mt. Vesuvius notoriety). However, there are plenty of places waiting to show you their secrets. From the desolate reaches of the Arctic Circle to the arid Spanish plains, here are five ghost towns worth a visit.
Hiding in the northeast corner of Spain approximately 40 kilometers from Zaragosa, Belchite was once a beautiful medieval village. Filled with exquisite churches and a lively square, this town has been reduced to bombed out remnants of buildings and hollow facades. During the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s, Belchite became the site of one of the most brutal battles of the conflict. In 1937, buildings were razed to the ground and most of the townspeople were murdered. While the town has been partially rebuilt nearby, what remains is a living testament to the tragedy of war and strife. Guided tours are available from the local tourism office.
Craco, Italy
Italy is no stranger to stunning hilltop abodes, especially in Tuscany and along the coastal regions. What makes Craco so fascinating is it was basically a doomed village from the beginning. Located in southern Italy where “the boot meets the heel,” Craco was founded in 8th century BC. Perched atop a steep incline, its location was once thought of as a perfect defensive strategy. However, it could not defend against the ravages of Black Death in the Middle Ages, the feuding factions and ultimately the lack of agriculture and the scores of landslides, flooding and earthquakes which eventually beleaguered the town. While the last inhabitants left in the late 1980s, it has become well known in the movie industry. Blockbusters “The Passion of the Christ” and “Quantum of Solace” were shot on location and prominently feature the village. Visitors can only explore Craco with a guided tour.
Tucked away in northern Austria approximately 110 km northwest of Vienna near the Czech border is the abandoned town of Döllersheim. Dating back centuries, this once quaint woodland village was the birthplace of Alois Hitler. In 1938, his son Adolf ordered the evacuation of the town. Because of the remote location and ever-changing seasonal climate, he decided it would be an excellent spot for a military training ground. Although the locals did their best to placate and plead with Hitler to stay, they were forcefully relocated to nearby villages. After the war, the village remained empty and part of the military exclusion zone of the Austrian army. While it’s still an active proving ground, visitors are allowed to check out the church and hospital ruins of the ghost town. You can also glimpse vacated houses and buildings through the dense brush.
This sleepy countryside hamlet in southern England between Salisbury and Bath became a victim of military training similar to Döllersheim. With the Ministry of Defense (MOD) quietly purchasing most of the land surrounding the town, when the Americans needed a training location for the invasion of Normandy, the MOD sprang into action. With a mere 47 days’ notice to evacuate, the residents were assured by authorities they could return home after the war. However, this was not to be. Today, the town of Imber is still used as training grounds for the MOD. Public access is granted only a few times of year; generally in the spring, summer and near Christmas. Visitors can check out the medieval church standing in the middle of town, as well as the remnants of an 18th century pub and manor house.
Pyramiden, Norway
Not quite as accessible as the aforementioned ghost towns, Pyramiden is located on a remote island well within the Arctic Circle. Truly an international settlement, this spot was once a Soviet-era coal mining village. Founded by the Swedish in 1922, it was subsequently sold to the Russians in 1927 and abandoned in October 1998. Because of the extremely cold temperatures, Pyramiden has been impeccably preserved. From block-style dormitories and apartments to the statue of Lenin in the middle of the town square, visitors are whisked back into another time. The settlement is accessible by boat in the warmer months and snowmobile when the water freezes over. You can either make it a day trip or take your chances overnight at the Tulip Hotel on the island.
