The Rummu Prison in Estonia is now an attraction for beachgoers, but it used to be home to laboring inmates, slaving away in the quarry adjacent to the prison. It was built by the Soviet Union in the 40s and abandoned in 1991 when Estonia got its independence back.
The water that seeped into the quarry created a lake, filling up and sinking many of the prison’s facilities. If you go there today, you could still see parts of the old prison sticking out of the water. Oh, and you could also snorkel to see the underwater ruins.
The Ruins of the Nakagusuku Hotel in Okinawa, Japan
This beautiful, abandoned place also has a spooky story behind it, so grab a seat by the figurative bonfire. The Nakagusuku hotel also named the Royal Hotel or Kogen Hotel, was in fact never completed. Its location was chosen due to the breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, but the owner refused to listen to warnings about the multitude of graves located across the hotel's construction site.
After quite a few mysterious accidents, workers refused to continue the construction, coming to believe the area was cursed.
The Bay of Abandoned Hotels in Croatia
This special abandoned place is rich in history. The Bay of Kupari used to be a fancy resort for military officers back in the 60s. Later on, in the 80s, it also opened its gates to wealthy tourists from overseas. But in 1991, after the onset of the Yugoslavian War, the resort suffered serious damage.
What was once a luxurious resort is now a bunch of half-ruined, empty, debris-filled buildings. The view of the Adriatic Sea is still spectacular, though.
The Hachigo Royal Hotel in Japan
This abandoned hotel is located on Hachijō-Jima island, not too far away from Tokyo. It opened in 1963 as a luxury hotel and went through quite a few sessions of closing and reopening throughout the years until it finally closed down in 2006.
Today, it sits empty amid overgrown greenery. Visitors still come to the island for its attractive diving spot, but that's pretty much the only reason you'll ever see any tourists on this tiny island.
Half-Sunken Church in Romania
This abandoned church in Geamăna, Rosia Montana is a sad but beautiful sight. At one point, the church had been flooded by a lake, so all one can see is its top half sticking out of the water.
Though the water surrounding it is polluted, it's hard to deny the beauty of the lake along with the surrounding trees and mountains. Makes you wonder what it was like for churchgoers back in the day.