There is no official term for fascination with abandoned places. Although, like with any human interest, several attempts have been made – from rather sterile “urban exploration” (urbex or urbanex for short) to the kinky “ruin porn”. There isn’t even a clear understanding what it actually is – curiosity, hobby, obsession, or a medical condition that pushes people to find and explore old, derelict, abandoned and decrepit buildings of different eras.
From the ruins of Pompeii to modern-day industrial facilities that fell victim to time, fashion or nature, abandoned places are capsules of the time gone by and provide a sneak peek into what life looked like at the times of their glory.
Mine started quite accidentally, and developed if not into obsession, but at least into a strong curiosity. For me, abandoned places are not only a window into the past, but places of rest and contemplation, happily devoid of people. Many friends and family members have been dragged through a variety of abandoned places with me, and I would like you to join in on those short tips, and maybe catch the ruin porn bug as well.
![](http://travelgal.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_E0678-scaled.jpg)
Pattaya, Thailand
![](http://travelgal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_E5071-scaled.jpg)
Rijeka, Croatia
![](http://travelgal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_1490-scaled.jpg)
Cardross, Scotland
![](http://travelgal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_5123-scaled.jpg)
Rijeka, Croatia
![](http://travelgal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_1653-scaled.jpg)
Stirlingshire, Schotland
![](http://travelgal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_2550-scaled.jpg)
Marienborn-Helmstedt, Germany
![](http://travelgal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_9120-scaled.jpg)
Rovereto, Trentino/Italy
![](http://travelgal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8266-1024x768.jpg)
Malinska, Krk/Croatia
![](http://travelgal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/7A1A2318-1024x683.jpg)
Pripyat, Ukraine
![](http://travelgal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DSC00250-1024x683.jpg)
Nye County, Nevada/USA
![](http://travelgal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_0164-1024x768.jpg)
Frauenwald Nitrocelluloze Factory
Landberg-am-Lech, Bavaria/Germany